Warm Weather Delays Bláfjöll Ski Season

2026-01-27 - 09:51

The winter sports season at the Bláfjöll ski area remains unsettled as unusually warm weather has left slopes without sufficient snow, operators have confirmed. Einar Bjarnason, operations manager at the resort, said conditions over the past two months have been “unusual,” with limited frost and almost no natural snowfall. What's the Story? Bláfjöll ski area opening delayed during current winter Warm temperatures, minimal snowfall, no conditions for artificial snow production Prolonged rain in December reported by operations manager Einar Bjarnason Two attempted openings halted after produced snow melted Skiing resort Bláfjöll. Photo: Alina Maurer. Poor snow conditions Speaking to RÚV, Einar noted prolonged rain in December, an occurrence he could not recall happening over a similar period. Bláfjöll, Iceland’s largest ski area near Reykjavík, typically offers around 15 km of slopes and is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Bjarnason said staff were on track to open the ski area on two occasions this season before rising temperatures melted the snow that had been laid. “We were ready to open, but then this just happened and it was over for now,” he said. Efforts to produce artificial snow have been hampered by warm temperatures that have prevented snow-making machinery from operating effectively. He acknowledged the situation is disappointing for local skiers but maintained that the financial impact on the resort’s operations has been limited so far. “On the other hand, there is no income, so there is no overtime, so the costs are minimal,” he said. While resort staff remain hopeful for colder conditions and snowfall, Bjarnason said current conditions mean the ski season has not yet begun in earnest.