íslenska

Tentative travel dates for 2026: 
Depart (KEF) June 18, 2026 and depart North America three weeks later, returning to KEF July 9, 2026. 
​Snorri West participants will travel through British Columbia, Canada
and then have the option of adding on a week in Washington State, USA  July 9-16.
Itinerary highlights tentatively include: ​

Vancouver, B.C.

• A very busy seaport on the mainland of Canada.
• The most populous city in the province with one of the most diverse populations in Canada.
• Contains a thriving cultural scene and is well-known by outdoor enthusiasts.
• First Icelanders arrived in on the Canadian Pacific Railroad in 1887 from other Icelandic settlements in North America, though many quickly moved on to other areas of British Columbia.

Victoria, B.C.

• ​The oldest city in western Canada, the provincial capital of British Columbia is situated on Vancouver Island.
• With the mildest climate in Canada, most outdoor activities are available year round. This temperate climate has helped the city earn the name “the Garden City.”
• It is also a major fishing port and is known for its architectural heritage (including Parliament and the Empress Hotel) and the world-famous Butchart Gardens.
• Icelanders began arriving in 1883

Nanaimo, B.C.

• A vibrant urban centre centrally located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, north of Victoria and home to Vancouver Island University. 
• A great music scene, with blues and jazz festivals in the summer and many indoor and outdoor performances.
• Most Icelanders arrived in the 1890's from other areas of North America.
• Icelanders originally came to this area for fishing and logging, but most of the recent Icelandic retirees came because of the opportunity to enjoy a temperate climate and healthy lifestyle more affordably than in the nearby larger cities.

Kelowna, B.C. 

• Located in eastern British Columbia in the Okanagan Valley on the shores of Lake Okanagan.
• it is renowned for its wine industry.
• Also important to the city are a top-ranked university and a world-class teaching hospital.
• Icelanders began arriving in the 1890's primarily from other Icelandic settlement in North America.

Optional Additional Week in Washington State, USA
Blaine, WA

• “Where America Begins,” comes from the fact its northern border is the Canadian-American border, marked by the Peace Arch monument dedicated in 1921.
• Originally a small seaport for fishing and logging and was once home to a large salmon cannery.
• Icelanders began arriving in 1888 from Pembina and Selkirk in eastern North America.

Seattle, WA

• "The Emerald City" so named for its large evergreen forests, is a large metropolitan area located on Puget Sound, also surrounded by mountains.
• Well-known for its tech industry and home to such giants as Microsoft and Amazon.  It is also home to Starbucks Coffee, the Space Needle and its entertaining Fish Market.
• A mecca to outdoor enthusiasts with its many islands, water activities as well as mountains and forests.
• Icelanders began arriving in the late 1880's from other areas of North America.  It is also home to many other Nordic emigrants and is home to the National Nordic Museum.

Depending upon the timing of the two programs, joint activities with the Snorri participants from North America will be held in Iceland prior to and after your return from the Snorri West trip.

You and your fellow participants will also give a presentation about your Snorri West experience at the Icelandic National League of Iceland’s (Þjóðræknisfélag Íslendinga or ÞFÍ) at their annual conference, usually held the Sunday after Menningarnótt at Hótel Natura, in Reykjavík.  
​
​Itinerary and dates are subject to change.

Already imagining yourself on your own Snorri West adventure?
Wondering what to pack?
Read tips from former participants here.