You might have heard about it, skiing in Sweden. But is it the same as a week in Austria? And where do you go? We (your local experts) will take you through all the options and logistics!

The perks of Sweden as a winter destination

Just like the Southern mountains, Sweden has reliable snow, incredible landscapes and plenty of ski resorts. And as you might know, many of the world's best skiers have learned on the Swedish slopes. 

• The real important thing to know about your skiing holiday in Sweden

Is that you should not compare it to the Alps. There is a very different offer, a different culture and different landscape. And we are the first to say that both are great! So, what can you expect from a skiing holiday in Sweden?

You can expect great pistes with plenty of snow. The mountains are less high than the Alps, making the ski resorts smaller and more personal. As a result, these destinations have expanded beyond the sole purpose of skiing. Most people are surprised when their skiing holiday turns out to be a typical ‘lapland experience’ as well.

• What might surprise you about these skiing destinations

Is that they offer way more than skiing! Think husky sledding, snow scooter driving, snowshoe hiking with reindeer, Sami experiences, ice fishing and so on. Oh, and the Northern Lights of course! And that is exactly how you should view a skiing holiday in Sweden; not as a comparison to the Alps, but as a unique destination on its own, with a combination of intimate pistes as well as those ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences. 

Now, once you’re convinced that you want to take that trip to Sweden, the next question arises: 

Where to go in Sweden?

Sweden has different ski resorts throughout the country, but the largest and most well-known destinations are concentrated in central and northern Sweden.

• Åre | Sweden's most famous ski resort

If you are looking for a complete ski holiday in Sweden, Åre is probably the destination you’ll consider first.

Located in the north of central Sweden, Åre is the country's largest and best-known ski resort. It offers a wide variety of slopes, from gentle beginner runs to more demanding terrain for experienced skiers.

Beyond skiing, Åre has a lively village atmosphere with restaurants, cafés, bars, shops and a wide range of accommodation.

This makes Åre particularly suitable if you want more than just skiing during your holiday. It’s a great option for: experienced skiers, groups, couples and travellers looking for a lively resort atmosphere.

The downside? From most countries, there are no direct flights to Åre. This means you’ll have to fly to Stockholm and take a second flight to Are. No biggy, but good to consider! 

• Sälen & Idre Fjäll | perfect for families

Sälen and Idre Fjall are Sweden's most popular destinations for a family ski holiday.

Both Sälen and Idre Fjall consist of several ski mountains and offer a large selection of slopes, accommodation and activities. There are plenty of beginner-friendly areas, making it a good option if you are travelling with children or if some members of your group are skiing for the first time. While there are also plenty of more challenging pistes to be enjoyed by those who are already familiar with the sport.

Sälen and Idre are also relatively accessible compared with some of the more remote ski destinations in northern Sweden, with direct flights going in winter.

Best for: families, beginners and groups with different skiing abilities.

• Riksgränsen | skiing in the Arctic

For something completely different, head north to Riksgränsen, close to the Norwegian border.

Riksgränsen is famous for its northern location and late-season skiing. Because of its position above the Arctic Circle, the resort can offer a very different experience from a traditional European ski destination.

If you are an experienced skier looking for adventure, Arctic landscapes and a unique Swedish winter experience, Riksgränsen is an exciting option (think along the lines of heli-skiing…)

This is thé place for adventurous skiers and late-season skiing!

When is the best time to go skiing in Sweden?

The Swedish ski season generally runs from late autumn / early winter (think around November) into spring (up until April), although the exact dates depend on the location and weather conditions.

For the most reliable winter conditions, the end of December through March is generally a popular period for a skiing holiday in Sweden.

How to choose between your christmas holiday or february? You either pick December, and enjoy an incredibly cozy scenery, with candle light mountain huts, traditional dinners, sunset husky tours etc. Or go for February, and enjoy longer days of skiing, activities and thicker snow. To be honest, you won’t really miss out on anything, no matter when you go!

Christmas and New Year are very popular periods, especially for families, so accommodation and travel can be more expensive and availability can be limited. This shouldn’t be a problem if you start planning in time!

How much does a skiing holiday in Sweden cost?

Let’s put this into numbers. Because there is a misconception that Scandinavia is much more expensive than the Alps. However, this is far from the truth. 

The main thing to consider is that the Swedish slopes have not yet been discovered by the same huge crowds that are in the Alps. This means that everything there is to offer is much more focussed on locals and for them to have a great time in the snow, instead of maximizing tourism and focusing on the economic perspective. Which is something that you’ll feel all throughout your holiday, and has a huge charm.

The cost of a ski holiday in Sweden depends on several factors, including the destination, accommodation, travel dates, length of stay and whether you need equipment rental or ski lessons.

To give you a concrete impression, for 8-days in a comfortable accommodation, with some activities such as husky sledding and snow mobiling, as well as a few days of skiing, you’ll need a budget of around €1500 - €2500 per person (excluding flights). But as said, this all depends on when you book and your preferences.

Planning your skiing holiday in Sweden

Choosing the right resort and the right travel agency are the most important parts of planning your trip.

So think about what matters most to you: Are you travelling with your children? Do you want challenging slopes? Are you looking for nightlife and restaurants? Or would you rather stay somewhere quiet, surrounded by nature?

And this is where the travel agency comes in. Like we said, these destinations have not yet developed to a point where the focus is maximum tourism from other countries (hooray!). However, this also means that as a ‘Sweden newbie’, it can be hard to navigate your way around all the different websites (often in Swedish) as well as all the different options. The most common way to book a Swedish winter getaway is therefore via a travel agency. 

We’ve gone and visited all the places above, purely so we could find out what works best, what are the logistics, and which experiences will let you make the most of your time in Sweden. We’ve seen a wide array of different types of destinations and accommodations, so that we can match you to something that fits your travel wishes and budget.

Whether you are planning a family ski holiday in Sweden, a weekend in Åre or a longer winter adventure in northern Sweden, getting the right combination of transport, accommodation and activities can make your trip much easier to organise.

Ready to plan your Swedish ski holiday?

Right, now you know what you should know for now (if not, let us know!). But where to start? You don’t have to decide everything on your own. Feel free to send us an e-mail, ring our phone or send a text, we’ll happily provide you with our suggestions and simply go from there. The only thing we’ll push on is that you start thinking about this in time!