Sweden: A Cut Above the Ordinary

When most people think of European ski holidays, their minds immediately jump to the Alps — France, Switzerland, Austria. But there's a Scandinavian alternative that offers something truly special: Sweden. With soft powder, beautiful pistes, and guaranteed snow, Sweden's ski resorts deliver a winter adventure that's a cut above the ordinary. Among the favourites are Are, Salen, and Idre — but there are over 100 ski resorts across the country, each with its own character and charm.

Sweden has more than 100 ski resorts scattered across its vast landscape, from the rolling hills of the south to the dramatic peaks of the far north. The season is long, the snow is reliable, and the resorts are generally far less crowded than their Alpine counterparts. Add in the uniquely Swedish experiences available off the slopes — from dog sledding to ice hotels — and you've got a ski holiday that's anything but ordinary.

Are — Sweden's Largest and Most Renowned Resort

Are is the crown jewel of Swedish skiing. As the country's largest and most renowned resort, it boasts an impressive 111 runs serviced by 41 lifts, offering everything from challenging black pistes for advanced skiers to gentle beginner runs for those just finding their ski legs. The resort has hosted World Cup alpine skiing events and is widely considered one of the best ski destinations in Scandinavia.

But Are is about much more than just skiing. The resort and its surrounding area offer an incredible range of winter activities that make it a destination in its own right:

• Snowmobile safaris through the stunning Arctic landscape
• Dog sleighing with teams of enthusiastic huskies pulling you through snow-covered forests
• Ice fall climbing for the truly adventurous — scaling frozen waterfalls with ice axes and crampons
• Ice fishing on frozen lakes, followed by cooking your catch over an open fire

Salen — Closer to Stockholm, Perfect for Families

If you're looking for a resort that's easier to reach and brilliantly set up for families, Salen is your answer. Located under seven hours from Stockholm, Salen is one of Sweden's most popular ski destinations, offering 111 pistes and 83 lifts spread across several interconnected ski areas.

What makes Salen truly stand out is its dedication to family-friendly skiing. The resort has special areas designed for the smallest children, with gentle slopes, conveyor belt lifts, and dedicated instructors who specialise in teaching young kids. Beyond the beginner zones, there's a fantastic range of terrain:

• Green slopes for beginners and young families
• Fun parks with jumps, rails and features for freestyle enthusiasts
• Blue and red slopes for intermediate skiers looking to progress
• Harsh black runs for experienced skiers seeking a challenge

The combination of accessibility, variety and family focus makes Salen an excellent choice for groups with mixed ability levels.

Kittelfjall — For the Curious and Adventurous

Kittelfjall is not for the faint-hearted — and that's exactly what makes it so appealing to a certain kind of skier. This is a snow paradise that caters overwhelmingly to advanced and expert skiers, with a terrain breakdown that says it all:

• 5% beginner
• 0% intermediate
• 24% advanced
• 71% expert

For those with the skills to tackle it, Kittelfjall is an absolute dream. Heli-skiing is available from late January, giving you access to untouched powder on remote mountain faces that would otherwise be impossible to reach. Off the slopes, the resort offers a range of unique activities:

• Western horse riding through snowy trails
• Snow scooter adventures across frozen landscapes
• Mountaineering expeditions for those who want to earn their turns the old-fashioned way

Why Choose Sweden?

Sweden may not always match the sheer scale or the extreme conditions of the Alps, but what it offers is something uniquely its own. The resorts are less crowded, the landscapes are stunningly beautiful, and the off-slope experiences — from husky sledding to ice hotels, from Northern Lights viewing to traditional Swedish feasts — give a ski holiday here a character and charm that's hard to find anywhere else.

It's the experiences off the snow that truly set Sweden apart. After a day on the slopes, you might find yourself soaking in an outdoor hot tub under the Northern Lights, dining on reindeer stew in a candlelit cabin, or exploring a hotel carved entirely from ice. These are the moments that turn a good ski holiday into an unforgettable one.