Leifur Örn Svavarsson

AIMG Level 3 ski guide

Leifur is one of Icelands most experienced guides, with 35 years of experience. During his mountain guide career he has guided Mt Everest, as well as all the other 7 continental peaks and ski expeditions to both the North- and the South pole. Leifur is the first person in the world to finish a double Adventure Grand Slam – climbing the 7 summits and reaching both poles twice.

Leifur has played a huge role in the development of tourism and guiding in Iceland. To name a few of his achievements – he was one of the first guides to bring skiers to the Troll Peninsula, helped establish the guide training and qualifying systems in Iceland, and has been a member of the Technical Community of Association of Icelandic Mountain Guides for years.

Leifur has a degree in Geology and is the former director of the National Avalanche Forecast Center in Iceland, as well as a former avalanche instructor for the Canadian Avalanche Association. All of this personal and professional experience makes us proud to have Leifur as our Lead Guide at Summit Heliskiing.