What to Pack for Heliskiing

Start with the conditions you are packing for

Before you touch a single stuff sack, picture the place. Viking Heliskiing is based in Siglufjörður on the Troll Peninsula (Tröllaskagi) in North Iceland, running eleven zones of terrain that drop from roughly 1,200 to 1,500 metres sea-to-summit, right down to the Arctic Ocean. The season runs from March to mid-June, which is spring skiing at high latitude. That single fact shapes everything you pack.

Spring in Iceland is not consistent. A morning on an exposed summit can be cold, wind-blasted and cloud-wrapped; by early afternoon, lower down near the fjord, you may be skiing in bright sun with the sea glittering below. Across one long descent you can pass through several micro-climates. The right kit is therefore not the warmest kit or the lightest kit, but the most adaptable kit: things you can add, shed, vent and stow as the day changes. Read our heliskiing guide for the wider picture, then use the sections below to pack precisely.

The layering system explained

Almost every packing mistake on a heliski trip comes from ignoring layering and reaching for one big coat instead. A layering system lets you regulate temperature during long, physical descents and cold helicopter waits. There are three layers that matter, and each has a job.

Base layer. This sits against your skin and manages moisture. You want a snug, moisture-wicking base in merino wool or a technical synthetic, never cotton, which holds sweat and chills you the moment you stop. Bring a top and bottoms. Merino has the bonus of resisting odour, so you can wear it several days.

Mid-layer. This traps warm air. A fleece, a light down or synthetic-insulated jacket, or a grid-fleece hoodie all work well. The key is that it is easy to take off and stuff in your pack when the sun comes out on a spring afternoon. Many skiers bring two mid-layers of different weights so they can dial warmth up or down.

Shell. The outer layer blocks wind and water. A waterproof, breathable ski jacket and trousers are non-negotiable in Iceland, where weather moves fast off the ocean. Look for good pit zips and vents so you can dump heat while climbing or hiking a short bootpack without soaking your base.

• 2 base-layer tops (merino or synthetic), 1 to 2 base-layer bottoms
• 1 to 2 mid-layers of differing weight (fleece plus light insulated jacket)
• 1 waterproof, breathable shell jacket with vents
• 1 pair waterproof shell trousers or bibs
• Spare base layers so you always have a dry set

Outerwear for spring heli days

Your shell is the workhorse of the trip, so choose it carefully. For heliskiing specifically, a few features earn their place. A helmet-compatible hood matters for those cold summit moments. A powder skirt keeps deep snow out on face-shots. Generous ventilation zips let you regulate on warm afternoons without stripping off. And a couple of secure zipped pockets keep your goggles, snacks and phone safe during helicopter transfers.

Bibs are worth considering over standard trousers because they seal the gap at your lower back when you sit in deep snow or take a tumble. Whatever you choose, prioritise waterproofing and breathability over sheer insulation. You generate a lot of heat skiing 1,000-plus vertical metres; you want to stay dry, not toasty. Save real warmth for your mid-layers, which you control lap by lap. If you are newer to the discipline, our notes on heliskiing for beginners explain how physical those long descents actually are.

• Waterproof shell jacket: taped seams, hood, pit zips, powder skirt
• Waterproof bibs or trousers: reinforced cuffs, thigh vents
• Insulated ski socks: 2 to 3 pairs, merino, avoid over-thick

Gloves, headwear and eyewear

Extremities decide comfort. Bring two pairs of gloves: a warmer, waterproof pair for cold mornings and a lighter, more dexterous pair for mild afternoons and fiddly tasks like clipping into bindings. Mittens are warmer than gloves if your hands run cold. A cheap pair of thin liner gloves is invaluable for handling gear when you cannot bear bare hands.

For your head, a helmet is standard on heliski trips and you will wear one at all times on the mountain. Pack a thin beanie or headband that fits under it, plus a buff or neck gaiter you can pull over your face against wind. Sun in spring Iceland is deceptively strong; the light bounces off snow and the sea, and days are very long this far north.

That makes eyewear a genuine priority, not an afterthought. Bring goggles for flat light, snowfall and wind, ideally with an interchangeable or photochromic lens for the swing between grey mornings and glaring afternoons. Then also pack proper category 3 or 4 sunglasses for bright, warm spells, helicopter transfers and standing around at pick-up points. Squinting into Arctic glare all day is exhausting and hard on your eyes.

• Warm waterproof gloves or mittens plus a lighter pair
• Thin liner gloves for gear handling
• Helmet (or confirm rental) and a thin under-helmet beanie
• Buff or neck gaiter, ideally two
• Goggles with a versatile or spare lens
• Sunglasses rated for high-glare snow and sun

Skis and what is provided or rented

One of the most common questions we get is what skis for heliskiing, and the honest answer is that the piste skis in most people's bags are the wrong tool. Heliskiing means deep, variable, often ungroomed spring snow, and a wider ski floats far better and is much less tiring. A modern all-mountain or freeride ski with a waist in the wider range is ideal.

Here is the good news: wider powder skis are often available to rent or provided at the base, so you do not have to wrestle skis through airports and oversize baggage. Renting on site also means you get a ski matched to the current conditions, freshly serviced, in a length the guides recommend. If you own a wide ski you love and trust, bring it, but confirm bindings and lengths suit heli terrain. As always, confirm ski availability, models and pricing with your operator before you travel so there are no surprises on day one.

• Wider all-mountain or freeride skis (rent on site or bring your own)
• Ski boots you have already broken in and skied comfortably
• Custom footbeds if you use them, plus spare boot buckle or strap
• Confirm ski rental, lengths and cost with your operator in advance

Boots are the one item we strongly suggest you bring rather than rent. Fit is personal and painful to get wrong across multiple full days. Ski your own boots, well-fitted and broken in, and you remove a major source of misery from the week.

Safety equipment and avalanche airbags

Backcountry skiing carries real risk, and safety kit is central to it. The reassuring part for Viking guests is that avalanche safety equipment is provided as standard. Viking Heliskiing supplies each guest with a transceiver, shovel and probe, and its IFMGA/UIAGM-qualified guides brief you on how the equipment works and rehearse rescue procedures. That said, safety kit provision varies between operators, so always confirm exactly what is included with your operator before you go.

You can, if you prefer, bring your own transceiver so you are using a device you already know. Some experienced skiers also bring an avalanche airbag backpack, which can help keep you nearer the surface in a slide. Airbags are optional, not required, and travel rules around the compressed gas or electric fan systems can be strict, so check airline regulations well ahead of your flight. If you want to understand the wider safety picture before you commit, our piece on is heliskiing safe? goes into the systems, guiding and decision-making that sit behind the gear.

• Transceiver, shovel, probe: usually provided, but confirm with your operator
• Your own beacon (optional) if you prefer a familiar device
• Avalanche airbag pack (optional): check airline rules for the canister

Backpack, sun protection and small essentials

A small, comfortable ski backpack of around 20 to 30 litres is the right size for a heli day. It carries your shed layers, water, snacks, spare lens and any personal safety gear without being so big it snags in the helicopter. Look for a bag with a dedicated pocket for shovel and probe, a chest and hip strap to keep it stable when skiing, and easy access so you are not unpacking everything to reach a glove.

Sun deserves respect in spring Iceland. The days are long, the snow reflects hard, and it is easy to burn without noticing in cool air. Pack glacier-strength, high-SPF sunscreen and reapply it, plus an SPF lip balm, which is the single most-forgotten item and the one people most regret leaving behind. Add a couple of small comforts and you are set for full days out.

• 20 to 30 litre ski pack with dedicated safety-gear pocket
• Glacier-strength high-SPF sunscreen, reapplied through the day
• SPF lip balm (bring two, they vanish)
• Insulated water bottle or hydration bladder and high-energy snacks
• Hand and toe warmers, small first-aid basics, blister plasters
• Phone, action camera, spare batteries (cold drains them fast)

Evening and travel clothing for a 4-star base

Your home for the week is the 4-star Sigló Hótel on the Siglufjörður waterfront, which is comfortable and relaxed rather than formal. You do not need a suitcase of evening outfits. Bring comfortable, smart-casual clothes for dinner, a warm layer and a hat for wandering the harbour, and swimwear for the hot tub, which is one of the great pleasures of a heliski day's end.

For travelling and downtime, soft trousers, a couple of tops and a warm casual jacket cover everything. Slippers or indoor shoes are pleasant, and a small dry bag or laundry sack keeps damp ski kit away from clean clothes. Remember your travel documents, travel insurance that covers heliskiing, chargers and adapters, and any regular medication. Keep this side of the packing simple; the mountain is where your effort should go.

• Smart-casual evening wear for dinners (2 to 3 outfits maximum)
• Warm casual jacket, hat and comfortable trousers for downtime
• Swimwear for the hot tub, plus indoor shoes or slippers
• Passport, insurance covering heliskiing, chargers, adapters, medication

What not to over-pack

Over-packing is a rite of passage, and worth resisting. You do not need a single enormous down parka, because your layering system does the job with more flexibility. You do not need several pairs of skis, since wider powder skis are commonly available to rent on site. You do not need to duplicate the safety gear your operator already supplies, though a familiar personal beacon is fine. And you do not need a wardrobe for evenings at a relaxed hotel base.

The best heliski bag is tight and considered: versatile layers, one excellent shell, a two-glove system, one reliable pack, and the small essentials that make long days comfortable. If you are unsure about anything specific to your trip, ask us. Our team can confirm exactly what your operator provides and rents, and tailor a list to your dates and ability. Reach out via our contact page and we will help you pack right.

The master checklist

Use this as a printable-style summary. Tick it off the night before you fly, and cross-check anything marked "confirm" with your operator or with us.

• Base layers: 2 tops, 1 to 2 bottoms, merino or synthetic
• Mid-layers: 1 to 2 (fleece plus light insulated jacket)
• Shell: waterproof jacket with vents, waterproof bibs or trousers
• Socks: 2 to 3 pairs merino ski socks
• Gloves: warm pair, lighter pair, thin liners
• Head: helmet (or confirm rental), under-helmet beanie, buffs
• Eyewear: goggles with versatile lens, high-glare sunglasses
• Skis and boots: wider skis (rent or bring), your own fitted boots
• Safety: transceiver, shovel, probe (confirm provided); own beacon or airbag optional
• Pack: 20 to 30 litre ski backpack with safety-gear pocket
• Sun: glacier-strength sunscreen, SPF lip balm
• Essentials: water bottle, snacks, hand warmers, first-aid basics, batteries
• Evening: smart-casual outfits, swimwear, indoor shoes
• Documents: passport, heliski-covering insurance, chargers, adapters, medication

Get the layering right, respect the spring sun, bring your own boots and let the operator handle skis and safety kit, and you will have packed like a seasoned heliskier. Browse our packages or read the full heliskiing guide to plan the rest of your trip.

Frequently asked questions