Say hello to a smorgasbord of winter fun
They’re not as tall or spectacular as their Alpine counterparts but the Swedish hills are made for skiing and winter holidays.
The perfect escape for families and skiers looking for a winter break with a difference.
They gave the world vikings, flat-pack furniture and meatballs, not to mention some great pop acts. But Sweden has another ace up its sleeve – and that’s its skiing. Their mountains aren’t as tall, pointy or dramatic as their counterparts in the Alps, but they offer a perfect winter escape for families and skiers looking for a winter break with a difference. There are more than 100 ski resorts dotted about the country, from small and local resorts consisting of a few lifts to larger resorts offering everything from snow parks for kids, to black runs and powder for the more experienced. Winter in Sweden isn’t just all ski-focused either. They’re also keen on their winter fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country. The food is great too.
KEY INFORMATION
Good to Know
Currency
Swedish Krona
Language
Swedish
Travel Time (APPROX)
Approx 2 hours 30
Heathrow
Timezone
GMT+1
The best bits of skiing in Sweden
Best family resorts in Sweden
Björnrike is a family-friendly ski area with a snow park, easy jumps and rails, conveyor belts and a video service that films your rides to share on social. Plus, every lift exit allows skiers to choose between an easy or more challenging way down. Branäs meanwhile has been voted Sweden’s best ski resort for families 13 times. All children's activities are free, and the forest ski slope Nintendo Land is a fun experience for children of all ages, especially after sunset.
Best beginner resorts in Sweden
Much of Sweden’s wide and tree-lined terrain naturally lends itself to beginners and intermediates and it’s a great place for first timers to learn. Åre is a beginners’ paradise with almost 40% of slopes rated easy, while the Björnen area has been designed for beginners and families. Sålen, Sweden’s largest ski resort is also beginner-friendly with 151km of mostly easy to intermediate pistes.
Best high altitude/snow-sure resorts in Sweden
Åre is Sweden’s highest resort, its top station is situated at 1,274m – not as high as the Alps. However, Sweden remains a snow-sure bet thanks to its northerly latitude, which is more important than height when it comes to snow security. Vemdalsskalet is another sure bet where runs can be skied from the first day until the last day of the season. It even offers a snow guarantee.
Food and drink in Sweden
Sweden is home to the smorgasbord, the array of smoked fish, meats and pickles that has been a staple for centuries. In Sälen, it’s also home to a ski-thru McDonalds, the McSki, where skiers can order on the go. Sweden’s also famous for its meatballs of course and you’ll find reindeer meat in the north. But the country also has a strong vegetarian and vegan food culture too. Alcohol, like in most of Scandinavia is more expensive than Europe so it’s worth taking advantage of your duty free allowance on the way in.
Best resorts for apres ski in Sweden
The après ski is to be found in Åre, with several lively hot spots to choose from. Both Verandan and Hyddan offer live music from some of Sweden’s best cover bands and DJs as well as a wide selection of food and drinks. For something quieter, try the bar at Hotel Åregården or Werséns. Sålen also offers live acts for party-seekers. Vemdalsskalet is generally quieter but also offers live music several times a week at the Högfjällshotell.
Best resorts for off piste skiing in Sweden
Riksgränsen and Björkliden up in Sweden’s northernmost ski resorts offer the best opportunity for fresh powder for serious freeriders. But many of the regular resorts closer to Stockholm also have off-piste potential, including Åre. Its local mountain,
Åreskutan may be relatively small when compared to the Alps but it’s home to unimaginable great opportunities for off-piste skiing. A guide is essential.
Best resorts for ski weekends or short break in Sweden
Transfers from Stockholm to the ski resorts can be long. However, the one hour domestic flight to Åre Östersund puts you within a 75 minute drive of Åre, making it probably the best bet for a short break. It’s also the favoured weekend spot for local Stockholmers thanks to its lively après and good restaurants. Sålen, by contrast, is a five hour drive to the capital.
Best time to ski in Sweden
Sweden’s ski season generally starts later than in the Alps but on the plus side, it also ends later and the further north you go, the longer that season extends. January and February can be really cold. And there’s not a lot of daylight hours either. Late February is usually high season for locals, so March onwards is a good bet, with skiing normally possible through April.
Our favourite ski resorts in Sweden
Here are just some of our top ski resorts. To find the perfect one for you, speak to one of our specialists.
Are
The ski resort of Are is the largest in Scandinavia with over 90km of slopes. If you love to enjoy spectacular views while cruising over rolling slopes then Are is the place for you.
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klovsjo
Nicknamed the 'skiers ski resort', klovsjo offers a wide variety of pistes, terrain and conditions with something for the whole family.
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Salen
Salen acts as the base from which a network of over 150km of pistes can be accesed. Made up of a handful of villages, the ski area offers a variety of pistes for all abilities.
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All Resorts in sweden
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