When and where

Visit Iceland's winter-sports guide says Lake Mývatn offers snowmobile and dog-sled tours from November to May, and that the dog sled team has 28 Siberian Huskies. Mývatn is a volcanic lake area in North Iceland, along the Ring Road beyond Goðafoss; North Iceland is about 390 km and five hours' driving from Reykjavík. The tour is titled "Winter Dog Sledding next to Reykjavik" on GetYourGuide; it is rated 5.0 out of 5 from 10 reviews on 8 November 2026, and the price depends on the date and the group. Check the listing for the season and snow requirement, because a dog-sled run needs snow cover, and winter weather decides departures. See the listing.

Season and snow

Nobody can promise snow on a given date. Reykjavík and the southern lowlands usually keep snow for only days or weeks, typically a few centimetres, while North Iceland and the Westfjords get heavy snow, sometimes several metres deep (Visit Iceland's weather page). That is why the Mývatn season is a named November to May window, and why a Reykjavík-area run is more sensitive to the weather. Highland areas above roughly 200 to 400 m are usually snow-covered from September to May or longer. For the month-by-month cold-season picture read Iceland in winter, Iceland in November and Iceland in March.

Other snow activities

  • Snowmobiling: possible year-round on glacier tops, with Langjökull, Iceland's second-largest glacier, the main site for glacier snowmobile routes.
  • Skiing: the season runs November to April, with the best snow usually in the north. Bláfjöll is about 30 minutes from Reykjavík with 14 lifts; Hlíðarfjall near Akureyri is often open until late April; lifts close in strong winds.
  • Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing: Hlíðarfjall and Bláfjöll have tracks lit until 10 p.m. daily, and snowshoeing tours in Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon are cheaper and need no cross-country experience.
  • Ice caves and glaciers: see ice cave tours and glacier hikes.
  • Mývatn Winter Festival: held each March and described as family-friendly.

Driving in the snow season

Safe Travel Iceland advises winter equipment such as winter tires, notes that a 4x4 helps in some conditions but does not prevent skidding on ice, and recommends checking the forecast at least once a day and road conditions on umferdin.is/en. Strong winds, snow, rain and drifting snow can make driving dangerous even when roads look clear. If you rent a car for the north, see Reykjavik to Akureyri and Iceland 4x4 rental. Emergency number: 112.

Combining with the northern lights

The same months are aurora season: it runs from September to April, with the longest nights in December and January. A guided evening is covered in northern lights tours. Daylight in November is about 8 hours at the start and 5 by its end, so a sled run must fit the light.

Where to stay

For a Reykjavík-based plan see where to stay in Reykjavík; for a northern base see where to stay in Akureyri.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Booking for a snowless week or outside the season: tours run November to May at Mývatn.
  • Assuming a 4x4 solves icy roads: it does not prevent skidding.
  • Leaving the booking until you arrive: winter weather decides departures, so keep a spare day.
  • Forgetting that daylight is limited in early winter.

FAQ

Where can you go dog sledding in Iceland?

Visit Iceland names Lake Mývatn in North Iceland; a tour from nearby Reykjavík is also listed on GetYourGuide.

When is the dog-sledding season?

Mývatn tours run November to May.

Do I need snow?

Yes; North Iceland and the Westfjords get heavy snow, while Reykjavík's snow usually lasts only days or weeks.

Can I go snowmobiling instead?

Yes; snowmobiling is possible year-round on glacier tops.

Is it safe to drive in winter?

Use winter equipment, check umferdin.is and the forecast daily; a 4x4 does not prevent skidding on ice.

The Iceland Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.