Ski resorts in Sweden: the top 10 for your skiing holiday

Why not plan a skiing holiday in Scandinavia? Sweden is particularly popular with winter sports enthusiasts, even though you won’t find any Swedish ski resorts in international rankings of the best ski resorts. Why is that? Find out here and discover the 10 best ski resorts in Sweden, including tips on other things to do on site.

What do ski resorts in Sweden have to offer?

Sweden’s ski resorts may not be among the world’s most popular destinations for winter sports enthusiasts, but that is precisely what makes them so attractive: they are often much less busy and not as overcrowded as the mountains in Austria, Switzerland, Italy or France. In most areas, there are only long queues at the ski lift in high season.

Another advantage for you as a traveller is that you can also discover Sweden beyond the slopes during your winter holiday – whether you take a tour of the surrounding towns or head out into the snow-covered countryside. There is plenty of natural snow in Sweden in winter, especially in the mountains, and depending on when you are travelling, you can take advantage of this for great winter activities. The slopes are mainly located in the border region with Norway, which means that you can even go country hopping.

The top 10 ski resorts

1. Åre

Åre is Sweden’s skiing paradise, as it is not only very diverse, but also the oldest ski resort in Northern Europe and one of the largest in Scandinavia. It is located in the province of Jämtland and is in turn divided into many individual areas. It offers around 90 pistes with a total length of around 91 kilometres, which lead down from the mountains “Åre By” and “Åre Björnen”.

There is something for everyone here: from beginner to advanced and from young to old, everyone will find the right slope here. There are world cup slopes and the SkiStar Snow Park, which consists of rails, boxes, wave runs and much more. However, there are also easy and secured slopes for children and suitable lifts, as well as special offers for families with children. Especially in the Åre Björnen area, they can spend time in playhouses for a bit of variety.

At the same time, Åre is known for its après-ski offer. There are many clubs, bars and hotels here that invite you to party into the night after a day of sport. The mountain village of Åre, on the other hand, still offers a little of the original tranquillity and idyll, especially out of season. If you fancy even more action, you can also enjoy other activities from here, such as ice climbing or snowmobile rides.

The ski season here runs from November to April. Here is a brief overview of skiing holidays in Åre:

2. Kläppen

One of the largest ski resorts in the country is Sälen near the Norwegian border, but it has fewer kilometres of slopes than Åre. It is located in the Dalarna region and consists of several ski resorts, including Kläppen. It offers slopes of all levels of difficulty and has the best and largest snow park in Sweden, which mainly attracts snowboarders. The highlight here is the 120 metre long halfpipe – the longest in the country.

The season runs from December to April.

3. Tandådalen/Hundfjället

This ski area, which is also located near Sälen in Dalarna, is made up of slopes in Tandådalen and Hundfjället, which are connected by a lift, making it one of the three largest in Sweden. Accordingly, it has a lot to offer: It combines around 60 wide and long runs with a total distance of 45 kilometres, divided relatively evenly between the three difficulty levels of blue, red and black. 5 kilometres of these are floodlit so that you can ski even after sunset.

The area is known for its family-friendly facilities, as it offers childcare, a snow park for children, green slopes, a magic carpet and other attractions. There is a snow park in both Tandådalen and Hundfjället, as well as a fun ride piste for all levels.

Après-ski is not neglected in this ski area either: in Tandådalen and Hundfjället you will find clubs and bars with live music or DJs. You can also try out various indoor activities in the nearby leisure centre, including bowling or swimming, or book a wellness programme so that you can be relaxed on the slopes again the next day. This is the perfect place for an all-round winter holiday with the family.

The ski season lasts from November to April.

4. Lindvallen/Högfjället

Just a few kilometres from Tandådalen/Hundfjället, there is another ski area in Sälen near the Norwegian border. The area, which is part of the Lindvallen and Högfjället network, comprises 42 kilometres of 51 pistes.

There is a snow park, three children’s parks and the option of night skiing. In Högfjället, beginners will find easy and particularly wide slopes. Lindvallen is primarily aimed at families, as there are various attractions for children, but there is also a snow park. In the adjacent leisure centre there are further offers and activities for young and old. Further, there is live music for après-ski, while the party scene with bars and clubs is located in Högfjället. There are many hotels and holiday homes in the immediate vicinity of the slopes.

The season runs from November to April.

5. Riksgränsen

The somewhat smaller ski resort of Riksgränsen, which translates as “imperial border”, is also located on the border with Norway. More precisely, it is located in Norrbotten in the province of Lapland, making it the northernmost ski resort in the world. Some of the slopes extend as far as the neighbouring Norwegian resort. The pistes are mainly suitable for beginners and advanced skiers, with only a few black runs for daredevil pros. On the other hand, a large proportion of winter sports take place off-piste .

The location provides a special highlight: in February and March, with a bit of luck, you can go skiing under the Northern Lights. Northern Lights tours start from here, where you can hike up the mountain on snowshoes to observe the Northern Lights.

The ski area is located halfway between the towns of Kiruna and Narvik and can be reached from both with a regular bus service.

The ski season lasts from February to May.

6. Hemavan

You can even go skiing further north in Swedish Lapland. Here there is the Hemavan area, where the northern location allows for a particularly long ski season. It is one of the 10 largest ski resorts in Sweden and has very long slopes due to its altitude. Just 18 kilometres away is the somewhat smaller ski resort of Tärnaby, but they are grouped together as one area.

With a total length of around 30 kilometres of slopes, there is something for every skier. However, the easier blue pistes dominate. If you are looking for action, you can also use the two snow parks and the ski cross arena. Another special feature is that the ski resort has its own airport, which means it can be reached from Stockholm in two hours. Hemavan is home to various ski clubs, from which many internationally successful skiers have emerged.

There is a nature reserve in the landscape around the two ski resorts and other adventures in the snow are on offer, such as trekking, ice fishing and snowmobile trips.

The season runs from November to April.

7. Idre Fjäll

Idre Fjäll is another well-known ski resort in the historic province of Dalarna in central Sweden. It is particularly suitable for beginners, returners and families with children, as there are many green and wide slopes here. There is even a green-marked run at the very top of the mountain. Idre Fjäll also has 82 kilometres of trails for cross-country skiers.

In general, the ski area is ideal for a winter holiday with children, as there are several magic carpets, i.e. moving walkways instead of just lifts. Idre Fjäll offers an adventure land and smaller hills especially for young skiers and sledgers. For snowboarders there is also a snow park with jumps and rails and for more adventure there is a range of other winter activities on site. And it’s not far to stay overnight either: the holiday home settlement of the same name is located directly in the ski area.

The ski season lasts from October to April.

8. Vemdalsskalet

The Vemdalsskalet ski area is located 10 kilometres outside the small town of Vemdalen in the province of Härjedalen in central Sweden.

The slopes lead down the two mountains Hovda and Skalsfjället. The ski area is somewhat smaller, but particularly family-friendly. It offers slopes of all difficulty levels as well as a children’s area with childcare and indoor play facilities.

There is a fun ride and a snow park for snowboarders as well as modern express lifts. The village itself is small and cosy and has holiday homes, holiday flats and hotels.

The ski season here runs from November to April.

9. Romme Alpine

Around 2.5 hours by car from Stockholm, near the town of Borlänge, lies the Romme Alpin ski area. Even though the 23 kilometres of pistes and a maximum descent height of 407 metres may seem rather small, it is considered the largest area outside the Swedish mountain range. Romme Alpin is located in the Dalarna region in central Sweden. A particular advantage is that it is easy to reach for holidaymakers and can be combined with a trip to Stockholm.

There is a ski school for children and adults, as well as a snow park for freestylers. Those who prefer short distances to the slopes will find a large hotel directly in the ski area.

The season here runs from December to April.

10. Tänndalen

Very close to the Norwegian border, in the province of Härjedalen, you will find the Tänndalen ski area. It has twice been voted the best ski resort in the country by Swedish winter sports enthusiasts. Cross-country skiers get their money’s worth here with over 300 kilometres of trails. Otherwise, there are 38 kilometres of slopes spread over 53 runs. For more adventure, you can ski off-piste. There are 60 peaks at an altitude of over 1000 metres, which can be climbed as part of guided summit hikes. As the ski season even lasts until May, Swedes like to spend their Easter holidays in Tänndalen.

For refreshments after winter sports, the ski resort offers eight different restaurants with something for everyone. There is a range of accommodation to suit every taste, whether it’s a hotel room or a cosy holiday flat for the whole family.

The season here runs from November to May.