In Iceland, we love the Advent

Not least here at the tip of the Troll peninsula. Siglufjörður, the northernmost town of Iceland bids the sun goodbye in November and awaits its return until the end of January. During that time, we are reminded of its existence when the sky covers the alpine summits surrounding the fjord in a pinkish tint, bringing a distant message from a faraway friend. Daylight is scarce. We make use of the hours we have, skiing in the Skarðsdalur resort, building up stamina for the late winter back country and heliskiing. The advent brings light and warmth to this dark season, and we make the most of it.

Ancient Icelandic visitors

Traditions are moulded by the darkness and cold of the Icelandic winter. The harshness of Icelandic Christmas stories is a reminder of dangers and fears of our ancestors, who had no respite from the long winter nights. We told each other stories of the feared Yule Lads, who started coming one by one 13 days before Christmas, stealing and bullying. Their mother, the horrible Troll Grýla followed in their wake, stealing children who misbehaved for her own Christmas meal. Her cat, the Christmas cat, was the evilest of all. He ate those who weren‘t given something new to wear for Christmas, thus compounding the injustices of life on this Arctic rock.

Modern times have softened these horrible creatures up somewhat and formalized their interactions with us humans. Today, the Yule Lads visit Icelandic children one by one from December 12th until Christmas Eve, placing trinkets and small gifts into the shoes that the children for some reason put in their windows. Stekkjastaur, the first brother, arrives in a week. For those of us who dream big and have kept our inner child alive, it is not a bad idea to wish for an outdoor adventure with Sóti Summits or heliskiing with Summit Heliskiing.

Christmas is coming

Christmas lights are up, Christmas cookies are baking and we enjoy the music and events offered to us during this season. The Icelandic tradition of giving a book to read is a source of joyous expectation. During the holiday, we will curl up under a blanket, read to our hearts desire – and wait for the sun to arrive and the skiing to start.

Happy Advent and see you soon!