Here are Sweden's best alpine ski resorts

11 major resorts from Värmland to Lapland, with map

Sweden has a long alpine season. Depending on weather conditions, downhill slopes in central and northern Sweden may be open from mid-November until the end of May (even longer in Riksgränsen, see below). In recent years the industry has invested heavily in new runs, lifts, accommodations, and entertainment venues. Record guest numbers have been reported from almost all major Swedish ski resorts.

Åre in Jämtland is to host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2019, which will give Sweden another boost as a ski destination (this will be the second time around for Åre, after 2007).

Here, we don’t want to give you an exhaustive list of all the ski slopes in every part of Sweden (you’ll find a link for that at the end of this article). There are many shorter slopes in small municipalities around the country. Some of them are only open during the Christmas season and during the Swedish sports holidays in early February. These slopes are usually not of any greater importance to tourists.

Instead, we will stick to the big resorts here and give you some basic facts about them. Moreover, we link to their official websites and to accommodation on Booking.com so that you can check rates and availability (not just for hotel rooms but many times also for cabins, huts, apartments, and hostels). We’ve also prepared a map, see below.

Summer

Most of these resorts are also popular during the summer. Activities include hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Accommodation is usually cheaper than in winter.

1. Branäs (in Värmland)

Facts

Easy to reach, just two hours from Karlstad by Lake Vänern and five hours from Gothenburg. Families with children like to ski here. 29 slopes, 21 lifts, 3 kid’s areas, 20 km of cross-country trails.

More info

www.branas.se

Hotels in Branäs

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2. Skistar Sälen (in Dalarna)

Facts

The Sälenfjällen area is Sweden’s largest alpine destination. About 420 km from Stockholm. In the autumn of 2018, you will be able to fly nationally and internationally, regular and charter, to a new airport in Sälen. The area (with Idre Fjäll, see below, and the Norwegian destinations Trysil and Engerdal) will then be marketed as the “Scandinavian Mountains”.

SkiStar Sälen consists of four ski areas:

Lindvallen
Högfjället
Tandådalen
Hundfjället

Together the four areas offer varied skiing on 102 slopes. 87 lifts. Experium in Lindvallen with water park, indoor surfing, 3D cinema, bowling, shopping, food, and spa treatments. There is also a gym and playland in the building.

More info

www.skistar.com/en/About-SkiStar/Salen/

Hotels in Sälen

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3. Kläppen, Sälen (in Dalarna)

Facts

Kläppen lies south of Sälen, the first of the three Sälen resorts if you come from Malung in the south. The resort is family-run but has nevertheless invested a lot into new lifts. Kläppen is the 6th biggest alpine ski resort in Sweden. 37 slopes, 21 lifts. Highest peak is 655 metres.

More info

www.klappen.se

Hotels in Kläppen, Sälen

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4. Stöten, Sälen (in Dalarna)

Facts

Stöten lies northwest of Sälen, towards the Norwegian border. 36 slopes, 18 lifts. Highest peak is 360 metres.

More info

www.stoten.se/en/skiing/

Hotels in Stöten, Sälen

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5. Idre Fjäll (in Dalarna)

Facts

40 slopes. Skiing in four directions. With Dalarna’s steepest hill. About 500 km from Stockholm.

More info

www.idrefjall.se/english.html

Hotels in Idre Fjäll

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6. Vemdalen (in Härjedalen)

Facts

Vemdalen consists of the following ski areas:

Björnrike
Vemdalsskalet
Klövsjö/Storhogna

58 slopes, 35 lifts. About 500 km from Stockholm.

More info

www.skistar.com/en/About-SkiStar/Vemdalen/

Hotels in Vemdalen

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7. Funäsfjällen/Funäsdalen (in Härjedalen)

Facts

136 slopes. 60 peaks over 1,000 metres. 300 km of world-class cross-country trails (“Nordic Ski Center”). Claims it’s Scandinavia’s largest ski region, with four major destinations:

Funäsdalen
Ramundberget
Tänndalen
Bruksvallarna

About 600 km from Stockholm.

More info

www.funasfjallen.se/vinter/en/

Hotels in Funäsfjällen/Funäsdalen

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8. Åre (in Jämtland)

Facts

Repeatedly voted as Sweden’s best ski resort. 89 slopes, 42 lifts, including a cable car to the magnificent Åreskutan mountain. With the the following three areas:

Duved
Åre Village
Åre Björnen

Easy to reach via the Östersund-Åre airport (direct flights from London and Copenhagen).

More info

www.skistar.com/en/About-SkiStar/Are/

Hotels in Åre

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9. Kittelfjäll (in Lapland)

Facts

This is freeride paradise. Kittelfjäll is best known for heli-skiing and off-piste. There are just 4 lifts but 42 slopes. Easiest to get here is via the airport in Vilhelmina.

More info

www.kittelfjall.com

Hotels in Kittelfjäll

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10. Hemavan Tärnaby (in Lapland)

Facts

These are two resorts with 50 slopes in total. About 18 km between the two villages, with a joint ski pass. The destination has its own airport with connections to Stockholm. Ingemar Stenmark and Anja Pärson grew up here.

More info

www.hemavantarnaby.com/en/

Hotels in Hemavan Tärnaby

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11. Riksgränsen (in Lapland)

Facts

On the border between Sweden and Norway, way up north. Only 6 lifts but 29 slopes. Off-piste: “A lot.” Unusual season: end of February until end of May or later. You can go skiing in the midnight sun if you come late in the season – this is truly unique.