- Open
- All year, with snow clearing at Lundsskógur in winter
- Hot tub
- On the terrace, heated and refilled automatically
- Northern lights
- Late August to mid April, on dark, clear nights
- From Akureyri
- About 25 minutes through Vaðlaheiðargöng
The house in winter
Lundsskógur has a winter snow-clearing service, and the house remains open throughout the year. Lighting and heating are controlled from a touchscreen, while the living area looks through its full-height glass wall onto the valley.
- Hot tub on the terrace, heated and refilled automatically; keep the cover on between soaks
- Miele washing machine and dryer in the laundry room
- Large lit parking area at the house
- XXL TV with Netflix and a Bang & Olufsen sound system for evenings in
Daylight and winter temperatures
hours
Of daylight at midwinter
Around the solstice in late December, the sun rises just before noon and sets again before three.
hours
More light by March
The days lengthen quickly after the solstice. By the start of March there are about ten hours of daylight.
°C
A typical winter month
Akureyri averages around −2 °C from December to February, with daytime highs just above freezing.
Daylight: timeanddate.com · Temperatures: Icelandic Met Office
After dark
Your front-row seat to the northern lights
From late August to mid April, Lundsskógur sits beneath long, dark North Iceland nights with almost no light pollution across the valley. That makes the house a beautiful place to wait for the northern lights without ever having to chase them.
Keep an eye on the sky over dinner, step onto the terrace when the first glow appears, or watch from the private hot tub as the valley disappears into darkness around you.
The Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast makes it easy to choose the clearest evenings. When conditions come together, the terrace looks straight down the valley and the night sky becomes part of the stay.
What stays open nearby in winter
Places and activities within driving distance of the house that continue through at least part of the winter.
Forest Lagoon
Geothermal pools in the woods across the fjord from Akureyri, open every day until midnight, with the last swim at 11:30 pm.
forestlagoon.isAkureyri swimming pool
Open every day through the winter season, 29 August to 30 May: 6:45 am to 9 pm on weekdays, 9 am to 7 pm at the weekend.
akureyri.isHlíðarfjall ski area
The ski area above Akureyri, normally open from about the beginning of December to the end of April. Hlíðarfjall says each morning whether the mountain is open that day.
visitakureyri.isEarth Lagoon Mývatn
The geothermal lagoon at Lake Mývatn, formerly Mývatn Nature Baths, beside the ring road east of Akureyri. Open every day from noon to 10 pm.
earthlagoon.isGoðafoss
The waterfall is beside the Ring Road, with parking on both sides. The road is open all year, although winter weather can close it temporarily.
northiceland.isWhale watching
Winter sailings run from Árskógssandur, an hour away on the west side of Eyjafjörður: North Sailing sails there until mid December, takes a short break and is back on the water at the beginning of February. Tours from Húsavík start again on 1 March.
northsailing.isThe Christmas Garden
Jólagarðurinn, about 15 minutes south of Akureyri, is open all year: noon to 6 pm from September to December, and 2 pm to 6 pm from January to May.
esveit.is
Driving in winter
- The tunnel
- From Akureyri, the route to Lundsskógur runs through Vaðlaheiðargöng. The tunnel replaced the drive over Víkurskarð, where winter conditions are often difficult.
- Tunnel toll
- Pay by card at the self-service kiosks on either side of the tunnel, or online at veggjald.is up to 24 hours before or after you drive through.
- Road conditions
- The Icelandic Road Administration maintains a live road map at umferdin.is. SafeTravel recommends checking both weather and road conditions in the morning and again during the day.
- Headlights
- Car lights must be on at all times in Iceland.
- Studded tyres
- They are allowed from around the end of October to mid April, and outside that period when conditions require them.
- At Lundsskógur
- The area has a winter snow-clearing service. The house and access road do not yet appear on Google Maps, so follow the directions in your arrival message.
Winter questions
Can I stay at Lundsskógur in winter?
Yes. The house at Lundsskógur is open all year, and the area has a winter snow-clearing service.
How much daylight is there in Akureyri in December?
Around three hours at the winter solstice, with the sun rising just before noon and setting before three. By early March there are about ten hours of daylight.
When can you see the northern lights near Akureyri?
On dark nights with reasonably clear skies, from late August to mid April. The Icelandic Met Office forecast shows cloud cover and aurora activity, so you can pick your evening. The lights keep their own hours, which is why staying a few nights in a dark valley helps.
How cold is Akureyri in winter?
Akureyri averages around −2 °C from December to February, with daytime highs just above freezing, according to the Icelandic Met Office.
Do you pay a toll for the tunnel to Lundsskógur?
Yes. Pay by card at the self-service kiosks on either side of Vaðlaheiðargöng, or online at veggjald.is up to 24 hours before or after you drive through.
Can you use the hot tub in winter?
Yes. The hot tub heats and refills automatically. Keep the cover on between soaks so it stays warm.
Is there skiing near Lundsskógur?
Yes. Hlíðarfjall, the ski area above Akureyri, is usually open from around December to the end of April.
Can you go whale watching in winter?
Yes, although not from every harbour. Akureyri and Dalvík sail all year. North Sailing's Húsavík tours run from 1 March to 30 November, and from February it sails from Árskógssandur instead, so late December and January are the quiet weeks.
When can studded tyres be used in Iceland?
Studded tyres are allowed from around the end of October to mid April, and outside that period when conditions require them.
Stay at Lundsskógur
Plan your very own winter escape
Lundsskógur sleeps up to seven guests, with a minimum stay of two nights. Check-in is from 4 pm and check-out is by 11 am. Choose your dates to see live availability and book your stay.