Hitting the slopes - Skálafell and Blue Mountains (2:2)

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be workingwith the City of Reykjavík in two of the main Skiing areas in the capital region of Iceland, Bláfjöll or the Blue Mountains, and Skálafell.

In Skálafell the ski slopes are turned into a Bike park during summertime and mountain bike enthusiasts can nourish their passion. The main tasks will include renovation and maintenance work on the bike trails; mainly raking and scraping them up. Other possible tasks include paintwork as well as general cleaning of the area.

In the Blue Mountains, the main tasks will be maintaining the slopes and preparing them for the next ski season. The city and few sports associations run lodges there and they might also need some renovation job, such as painting and/or cleaning.

The working plan is flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local host. Volunteers need to be motivated to work mainly outdoors on physical jobs and under changeable weather conditions.

The camp starts shortly after summer solstice, when the sun never fully sets and the nights are almost as bright as the days. The bright nights are magical and staying awake enjoying the beautiful surroundings is a unique experience.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in one of the ski lodges in the mountains and sleep in a sleeping bag accommodation, sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities.

Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: The ski areas of Bláfjöll and Skálafell are both only 25 minutes away from the city. Bláfjöll is south-west of the city and Skálafell east of the city. Both areas have great ski slopes for downhill skiing and snowboarding as well as tracks for cross-country skiing. Bláfjöll has 16 lifts and Skálafell has 4 lifts.

The Blue Mountain range stretches to the west from the mountain Vifilsfell near the main road (#1) from the capital area to the South-western lowlands.  The highest mountain in the range reaches 600m and in 1968 the district became a very popular skiing resort among Icelanders and the favourite for skiers in the Capital region.

Thisarea is excellent for recreation, not only for alpine and cross country skiing, but outdoor activities as well such as hiking and mountain biking.  Nature lovers are certain to find something they like there, but they have to be careful crossing the rugged lava fields because of the numerous caves underneath.The Blue Mountain Range areais a place of extreme beautiful natural surroundings with countless opportunities to hike and discover it by foot.

Reykjavík is a dynamic, modern city which is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 180 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic kronas.

Volunteers have to bring good working shoes and clothes, even though it is summer, it might still be cold and hats and gloves might be necessary. Volunteers need to be prepared for all kinds of weather.In mountains, weather can change quickly and drastically.

Our hosting partner will organise free time activities in the area and tours and excursions can be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares as well (for example Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, South Shore, etc.)