Where to ski in Iceland? Bláfjöll near Reykjavík or Hlíðarfjall at Akureyri.

Contrary to many people's beliefs, Iceland isn't the best country for skiing.

There are dozens of skiing areas around the country. Most are modest in scale and variety.

Yes, we have a bunch of mountains; they just don't compare in size to the alps or areas north in Norway and Sweden.

However, skiing can be an excellent complementary activity while staying in Iceland — especially for families and beginning skiers.

There are no trees on the slopes, making skiing safer and giving an open view of surrounding nature.

The most popular skiing area close to Reykjavík is Bláfjöll. It's constantly being built and improved each year, making it a common choice for skiing.

The best chance of getting snow is up north in Iceland. It's why Icelanders often make trips to Akureyri for skiing over winter.

Akureyri is Iceland's second-biggest city after Reykjavík and is often referred to as the capital of the north. It's overall a fun place to visit with lovely food, lively bars, a good swimming pool, and a cozy vibe.

By its doorsteps, Akureyri has a popular skiing area called Hlíðarfjall. It's the closest you can get to a scaled-down version of the alps, making it the go-to skiing destination up north.

With that being said, it's always a challenge to hit good weather conditions. Even though there is snow over winter, it can get windy, causing Hlíðarfjall to close down.

What most Icelanders do when this happens is to visit nearby skiing areas instead, often at Dalvík or Siglufjörður. The main point is to keep your options open based on the weather.

That's how we roll here in Iceland.