Mountain skiing is a favorite pastime of the athletic descendants of the Vikings. It's common to go skiing in Sweden with the whole family, as the wide, gentle slopes are generous enough to forgive mistakes for children and beginners alike. Many schools offer special "ski" vacations in November to keep your child company on the slopes of the Swedish mountains.
For the foreigner, skiing in Sweden looks like a captivating fairy tale told on a winter's night by a blazing hearth. With a sophisticated sports infrastructure, a rich sightseeing program, and plenty of attractions for children and parents, it attracts tourists from all over the world.
The ski season in the kingdom starts in mid-November and lasts until the end of April. The only exception is the polar resort of Riksgränsen, where skiing takes place from February to June. Given the sharp rise in prices for ski tours in Sweden during the Christmas vacations, it's best to plan your trip for February-April, while Ore has snow cover until mid-May.
When going on a ski vacation in Sweden in winter, don't forget warm clothes: from November to February, temperatures in the northwestern part of the country stay between -8 and -16°C. In March, the frosts start to ease, and by April, the air warms up to zero.
Sweden's warm ski resorts offer not only thrills but also loyal rates for accommodation and ski passes.
Selen is Sweden's largest ski resort, aimed at amateur skiers and families with children. The steepest drop is barely 353 meters, and the longest run is less than 2,500 meters long, but the scenery is excellent, with slopes through a snow castle and the world's largest snowman on Gustavbaken Hill.
There are five ski areas on the southern slopes of the Scandinavian mountains:
- Lindvalen
- Hegfjellet
- Hundfjellet
- Tandaladen
- Gustavbaken
Even in high season, there is no shortage of elevators: there are 84 elevators for 113 pistes.
Vemdalen is the country's second-largest winter resort and enjoys a reputation as the cradle of Swedish skiing. In 1936, the first downhill slope in the history of the kingdom was equipped on the peak of Hovdefjället. By now, the resort has 53 slopes, most of which are amateur.
The three ski areas of Björnrike, Klovsjo-Storhogna, and Vemdalskalet share a common slope with a height difference of about 415 meters. There are more than 300 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails in the picturesque surroundings.
Klappen is a pretty family resort in Dalarna, decorated in the luboko style of old Moscow dacha villages. Animators dressed as trolls stroll along the wooded slopes, encouraging timid toddlers and novice skiers to tackle the gentle green and blue runs, which total about 35 kilometers in length. For skilled skiers, there are two steep runs, Grottbanten and Trollfallet, as well as one off-piste run. There is a professional snowboarding school in the village, and the high-profile titles of the coaches do not preclude a friendly and loyal attitude to the mistakes of beginners.
There are three snow parks separated by wedges of spruce forest, but only two of them are available for recreation - a simple children's one and a more challenging amateur one, both equipped with stylish kickers, halfpipes, and jibs just like real athletes. Klappen's expert snow park serves as a training area for the Swedish National Snowboarding Team.
Entertainment options include two restaurants, souvenir shops, and alternative leisure activities such as rock climbing, a rope park, dog sledding, and a 41-kilometer-long, night-lit cross-country ski trail where you can meet the resort owner in the evenings.
There's not much to complain about, though: the lack of chairlifts is only felt at the peak of the season, and the rest of the time it's balanced out by plenty of rope tows.
The renowned resort of Ore on Oreskutan Mountain is often referred to as the Scandinavian Alps. The altitude difference reaches 900 meters; the total length of the slopes exceeds 110 km; the "red" and "blue" amateur slopes prevail, of which there are 78. 12 "green" slopes are allocated for beginners, and professionals can take their breath away on the winding "black" slopes. The length of the longest slope is 6500 meters.
There are four ski villages in the resort:
- Duved is a favorite destination for freeriders and advanced amateurs who prefer long "red" slopes; there are spacious snow parks for pro-riders.
- Thegefjöll is the abode of snowboarders and snowskaters. Extreme skiers will have an unforgettable experience on the slopes, on the fun-park's puzzling jumps, and in the high-speed snowcross chute.
- Ore Bayou is the centerpiece of the resort. In the upper part of the resort, the most interesting black and red runs for professionals are laid out, while the lower zone, surrounded by coniferous forest, is reserved for beginners and cross-country skiing fans.
- Ore-Bjørnen is a cozy windless corner with unpretentious pistes for little skiers. To the delight of parents, the village has an amusement park and a kindergarten, where you can leave your child in the care of caring teachers and experienced instructors.
Buses run regularly between the resort villages and ski areas. The elevator system in Ore, with a capacity of 47,000 people per hour, is recognized as the best in Europe, and the ski pass system is also available in the evening. For night skiers, one of the elevators is open four times a week from 18:00 to 21:00.
Winter vacation in Idra enriches the ski vacation with a vivid gastronomic experience. Local restaurants and cafes entice visitors with themed culinary evenings and festivals. For example, the popular Farm in the Mountains holds a baking festival every Wednesday. There's no need to worry about your waistline: the 29km of trails, with altitude variations of around 300 meters, are guaranteed to evaporate any extra calories.
Are you stressed out by the hustle and bustle of hyped resorts and glossy sketches of a burger's paradise? The little-known resort of Büdalsfjöllen will show you a non-touristy Sweden that's beautiful without the glitz. There are 45 ski runs of 31 km with altitude variations of up to 420 meters, an off-piste area, a snow park, and 5 km of cross-country skiing trails.
Skiing connoisseurs recommend Büdalsfjöllen as one of the best places for serious training: the resort is served by Sweden's oldest ski school, Birkl, which has produced more than one generation of champions.
The ultra-modern Branas resort in the Wermland region is a godsend for those who love skiing but can't stand extreme cold. There are 21 ski slopes, two snow parks, and a halfpipe on the slopes of the Klara River Canyon. The height difference reaches 415 meters, and the area is regularly treated with snow cannons. Most of the slopes are designed for intermediate skiers; more confident athletes can try their hand at the red Storbaken slope, which has a steep, winding 2,000-meter descent.
Are you bored of skiing the amateur slopes with toddlers and chipper Swedish grandmas? The professional ski resort Fünesfjöllen welcomes ambitious athletes who have reached the top of their game.
Long winding slopes with tight turns are ideal for carving, and in addition to the traditional pistes, there is an off-piste area and "double black" slopes of increased difficulty. The total number of slopes is 126, with the red and black slopes taking absolute precedence.
The Funesfjöllen mountain system has five ski areas, accessible with a single ski pass:
- Funesdalsberiet - the most difficult section with a maximum altitude difference of 770 meters;
- Ramundberiet - altitude fluctuations of 300 meters;
- Tenndalen-Hamra - altitude difference of 310 meters;
- Tenndalen-Hamra - altitude difference of 310 meters;
- Tenneskreket - altitude variation of 200 meters;
- Kappruet
The après-ski infrastructure includes more than 30 restaurants and cafes, spas, swimming pools, and a wide range of sports activities: heli-skiing, tubing, sledding and snowmobiling, kiting, ice fishing, and long cross-country skiing trails on flat and rugged terrain. Excursions to a musk ox farm are organized for the curious.
The secluded resort of Riksgränsen, 250 kilometers from the Arctic Circle, has been romantically nicknamed "The Land of the Midnight Sun". Despite the harsh frosts, difficulties with accommodation, and remoteness from civilization, not only fascinated wanderers attracted by the northern lights come here. Speedy descents with height differences from 520 to 1350 meters are attractive not only for amateurs but also for experienced athletes.
In professional riders' circles, Riksgränsen is known as an international snowboard camp and host to prestigious halfpipe, quarterpipe, and boardercross competitions. An exhilarating snowmobile safari through the Arctic promises to be an exciting addition to the vacation.
Cross-country skiers should consider the polar resort of Dundret in the municipality of Jellitvare. Although the town is located 100 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, you can't call it a bear corner. Almost every year, Dundret hosts the skiing World Cup, which is a testament to the high level of technical equipment and landscaping.
Most of the race courses pass through the protected areas of Laponia, with echoes of the ancient Scandinavian epic. There are 10 slopes with night lighting for practicing downhill techniques. During the tourist season, visitors can enjoy excursions to the settlements of Sami reindeer herders, ice fishing trips, and tundra rides on reindeer, dogs, and snowmobiles.
The small ski resort of Tarnaby is designed for skiing and snowboarding professionals. Altitude fluctuations reach 450 meters and higher. Inexperienced skiers are more suitable for the neighboring resort village Hemavan. Although the length of the slopes is much longer, the slopes here are more gentle and free of pitfalls, and beginners are instructed by coaches from Olympic reserve ski schools.
