11 major resorts from Värmland to Lapland, with map – plus a few more
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, even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Åre in Jämtland hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2019, which gave Sweden another boost as a ski destination (this was the second time around for Åre, after 2007). The new Scandinavian Mountains Aiport in Sälen, Dalarna will likewise help to attract more international winter tourists.
In this article, 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.
New ski resorts
For the first time in almost 30 years, we got a completely new ski resort in the 2019/2020 season. It is Idre Himmelfjäll in Dalarna. Moreover, Dundret in Gällivare, Lapland re-opened as Nya Dundret, the “new Dundret”. We haven’t added them to our list and map yet because we would like to wait and see how they are doing in their first seasons – and in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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
Hotels in Branäs
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Branäs
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.
SkiStar Sälen has been voted as best Swedish ski resort 2019.
More info
www.skistar.com/en/ski-destinations/salen/
Hotels in Sälen
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Sälen
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
Hotels in Kläppen, Sälen
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Kläppen, Sälen
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
Hotels in Stöten, Sälen
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Stöten, Sälen
5. Idre Fjäll (in Dalarna)
Facts
40 slopes. Skiing in four directions. With Dalarna’s steepest hill. About 500 km from Stockholm.
More info
Hotels in Idre Fjäll
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Idre Fjäll
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/ski-destinations/vemdalen/
Hotels in Vemdalen
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Vemdalen
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
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Funäsdalen
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
Åre is easy to reach via the Åre Östersund airport. There are direct flights from London and direct flights from Copenhagen. Flights from Berlin started in 2019. (So was the situation before the Covid-19 pandemic – let’s see what happens after.)
Of course, flights from Stockholm are available as well.
Åre was voted as best Swedish ski resort six times in a row, 2013 – 2018.
More info
www.skistar.com/en/ski-destinations/are/
Hotels in Åre
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Åre
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
Hotels in Kittelfjäll
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Kittelfjäll
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
Hotels in Hemavan Tärnaby
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Hemavan Tärnaby
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.
More info
Hotels in Riksgränsen
Book now: Hotels, hostels, huts, apartments, B&Bs in Riksgränsen
Map with the 11 best ski resorts in Sweden
Coming from Stockholm?
There are three fine ski resorts that attract many skiers from Stockholm and the Mälardalen valley. Check here: www.kungsberget.se and www.jarvsobacken.se and www.rommealpin.se.
Even closer to central Stockholm are the Hammarbybacken slope and the Flottsbro slope. However, these ski areas are more dependent on cold weather conditions.
More info about ski resorts in Sweden
- All 256 Swedish ski resorts, with map
- Ski Resorts of Sweden, with Deepest Snow Today, and Most Forecast Snow
Stöten in Sälen, Dalarna
Åre photo on the top of the page: SkiStar/Karl Hägglund; last photo: Stöten i Sälen, via VisitSweden DK
