The 9 most stylish ski hotels in Sweden

Some ski hotels try to disappear into the landscape. Copperhill Mountain Lodge does quite the opposite. Perched high above Åre Björnen, its dramatic architecture makes a statement before you have even unpacked. The scale continues indoors, where generous lounges, fireplaces and mountain views encourage guests to stay put after skiing. Happily, there is little need to leave: the slopes are accessible from the hotel, the spa has indoor and outdoor pools and restaurant Niesti takes inspiration from Sámi food culture. Copperhill is for those who like their mountain escape with a little theatre.

Åre has changed enormously since its first hotel opened in 1895, yet Hotel Åregården still occupies the middle of village life. Its position on Årevägen means you can walk to the lifts in the morning and find yourself among locals and visitors at the bar by evening. The historic building retains the character of an old mountain hotel, but there is nothing museum-like about its social scene. Wine, cocktails and winter dining make it somewhere people come to meet, not simply sleep. Choose Åregården if a good night out is part of your idea of a ski holiday.

There is something reassuringly old-fashioned about a hotel where the ski slope begins almost at the doorstep. Hotell Fjällgården sits above Åre village beside the Fjällgårdsexpressen lift, putting skiing ahead of complicated logistics. Its appeal is not about cutting-edge interiors: think mountain-lodge atmosphere, a restaurant with views over Åredalen and the familiar pleasure of gathering after a day outside. A sauna and outdoor pool offer another reason to linger. Fjällgården is at its best when you want a straightforward ski holiday with a little history and plenty of mountain air.

At Buustamons Fjällgård, even arriving can feel like an adventure. High above Åre, where the winter road does not always allow ordinary car access, guests may make the final journey by snowmobile or tracked vehicle. The reward is a timber-built retreat with just 12 rooms, open fires and an atmosphere that feels wonderfully removed from the ski resort below. There is a restaurant, sauna, outdoor bathing and even a small distillery. Buustamon has the rare quality of making a familiar Swedish ski destination feel remote again, without giving up the pleasures of a good hotel.

Åre is famous for its skiing, but a good mountain holiday also needs somewhere you genuinely want to spend an evening. Hotell Granen makes a persuasive case for staying in. Set in a historic timber building on Tottvägen, within walking distance of the village, it favours fireside corners, books and comfortable lounges over the spectacle of a large resort. The restaurant and wine offering are part of the attraction, not an afterthought. Granen feels particularly well suited to those who appreciate a small hotel with its own personality and no need to impress at every turn.