The unseasonably warm weather in Iceland this winter has caused more elation among golfers than skiers. On December 4, the Selfoss Golf Club, Southwest Iceland, held a tournament in close to 10˚ C and slight fog, the kind of weather you’d rather expect in summer. Club officials wonder if they will still be golfing on New Year’s Eve.
Selfoss golfers are not the only ones in full swing. Mbl.is reports that in Skagaströnd, North Iceland, golfers took out their clubs and played at Háagerðisvöllur golf course on December 3. More typically, that course has been frequented by cross country skiers in December.
Meanwhile, skiers lament the lack of snow. So far this season, nowhere but in Skagafjörður, North Iceland, has it been possible to open ski areas. Two attempts were made in Hlíðarfjall, Akureyri, but those openings were short-lived. Guðmundur Karl Jónsson, director of the ski area, is getting frustrated, RÚV reports. “The phone rings non-stop, and no matter where I go, people ask, ‘Won’t you be opening soon? Isn’t it supposed to snow soon?’” he complained.
The Hlíðarfjall ski area has snow-making equipment, but it doesn’t work unless temperatures are below freezing.
Clearly, the weather gods can’t please everyone at the same time.
