Will tours run in bad weather?! - weather policy

Bad weather can mean different things to different people, but for us, safety is always the deciding factor. Our experienced guides assess conditions using weather forecasts from Veðurstofa Íslands (the Icelandic Meteorological Office) and real-time observations on-site.

Our decision to run or cancel a tour depends on multiple factors, including wind speed, visibility, precipitation, season (summer vs. winter), and wind direction. Below are our general guidelines:

Winds over 25 m/s (90 km/h) → Tour cancelled immediately due to extreme conditions.

Winds between 18–25 m/s (65–90 km/h) → Tour cancelled in most cases, but conditions will be assessed on-site.

Winds between 10–18 m/s (35–65 km/h) → Conditions are evaluated on location. If conditions are challenging (e.g., icy surfaces, strong gusts, low visibility), we may either proceed with increased caution or cancel the tour.

Winds under 10 m/s (35 km/h) → Tour proceeds as planned, with standard safety measures in place.

Seasonal Considerations:

Winter: Snowstorms and limited daylight can impact tours more significantly. We take extra precautions in extreme cold and blizzard-like conditions.

Summer: Melting snow, rain, and wind conditions are assessed differently than in winter. Tours may continue in rain or fog, provided visibility and ground stability remain acceptable.

Headwinds on the glacier (wind blowing directly against our route) can significantly reduce visibility and make the ride uncomfortable.

Crosswinds (wind coming from the side) can be hazardous if too strong, as they affect snowmobile stability.

Tailwinds (wind coming from behind) generally cause fewer issues but may result in drifting snow reducing visibility.

Heavy snowfall can limit visibility and increase avalanche risks, leading to tour cancellations.

Blowing snow and loose powder can create near white-out conditions; we proceed with extreme caution and may adjust routes.

Storm warnings: If an official storm warning is issued for the region, the tour is immediately cancelled, if that warning applies to our area.

Rain & wet snow in warmer months can affect the snowmobile track quality but does not necessarily lead to cancellation.

If conditions are uncertain, our guides assess the situation on location.

If we proceed, additional safety measures are taken, such as increasing guide-to-rider ratios and adjusting routes to more sheltered areas.

If conditions deteriorate rapidly during a tour, we may shorten the ride or turn back for safety reasons.

If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable with the conditions, please speak with our guides before the tour starts. We prioritize safety, and your concerns will be taken seriously. However, if the tour is deemed safe and continues as planned, standard cancellation policies apply if you choose not to participate.

If you only want to go snowmobiling in specific weather, then it's up to you to keep a watch on the forecast and reschedule your tour according to the weather forecast. Some of our guests will welcome winter conditions (opposed to sunny conditions) and feel upset if we cancel when it's possible to go snowmobiling.

If we cancel due to extreme weather, we will notify you via email as possible. If you booked through a third-party agency, they will handle refund processing. Please check your email and spam folder before departing for the tour.
Our systems aren't sophisticated enough to handle automatic refunds. If your tour is cancelled, you must contact us or your booking provider to process the refund.