The Nordic Nomad

Sweden

Powder days: our top resorts for skiing in Sweden

The Nordics • Insider guides • Powder days: our top resorts for skiing in Sweden

Where to go in Sweden to catch the best slopes

Sweden’s ski scene hits differently. Sweden’s northerly latitude gives it a natural advantage – cold, consistent winters and reliable snow at relatively modest heights. The season runs long, in some regions, well into spring, without the need for Alpine altitudes. The pace is calmer too. Downhill skiing sits alongside vast cross-country networks, so it’s easy to mix alpine laps with Nordic kilometres through forest and tundra. Night trains from Stockholm link directly to the mountains, offering a lower-carbon way to travel, and English is widely spoken across the industry. Sweden’s ski resorts are smaller, with short lift queues and terrain designed around families, progression and space to breathe. These are the resorts that shape the season for those who truly love winter.

Top photography courtesy of Åre

Åre

Åre sets the pace for Swedish skiing. The terrain spreads wide with long, steep pistes and wild off-piste runs that challenge the best. The area’s lift network and varied vertical mean you can stitch together long descents and still duck into quieter aspects when you want solitude. Locals love the fall-line steeps off Åreskutan and the high-altitude runs for their snow-holding ability. Experienced skiers will find north-facing gullies and creative access for sidecountry. For mixed days, the terrain park and gentle cruisers near the village make it easy to switch pace. Stay at Copperhill Mountain Lodge, an architectural landmark built of timber and glass with ski-in access and broad views over Åreskutan.

Åre
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Åre

Sälen

Sälen is Sweden’s most extensive ski complex, but don’t mistake scale for sameness. The region’s multiple ski areas create micro-targets. You can choose between fast, wide groomers for edge work or narrower, sheltered valleys when wind scours the ridges. Tandådalen draws the freeride crowd, while Lindvallen is family-friendly but still delivers on long, flowing descents. The snowmaking here is meticulous, meaning perfect conditions even when the rest of Scandinavia is in flux. When night falls, you feel the stillness of the forest and smell wood smoke in the air. Hotell Victors sits right by the lifts, relaxed and functional, with that familiar Scandinavian calm.

Sälen
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Sälen

Vemdalen

Vemdalen is where Swedish skiers go when they want quiet mountains and perfect snow. The terrain stretches across Björnrike, Vemdalsskalet and Klövsjö-Storhogna, giving variety without crowds. The resorts spread through the valley deliver varied exposure. Expect north-facing pitches that hold powder, cruisers for tempo work and pockets of tight, timbered runs that reward precision. It’s also one of the few places where you can ski straight to a proper spa and wood-fired sauna at day’s end. Check into Hotell Klövsjöfjäll, which sits right on the slopes with a strong sense of Scandinavian minimalism. We love the clean design, big windows and that hushed mountain calm.

Vemdalen
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Vemdalen

Funäsfjällen

If you want wide open skies, natural snow and a serious cross-country scene, Funäsfjällen is where we point people. Funäsfjällen remains one of Sweden’s best-kept ski secrets. The terrain spans six mountains and feels almost limitless. The terrain spans from powder fields and tree runs to cross-country trails that link centuries-old villages. The snow here stays dry and cold, perfect for touring or quiet off-piste days. The atmosphere here is timeless – quiet mornings, wide-open trails and coffee over open fires. Eriksgårdens Fjällhotell in Funäsdalen carries that same spirit. It is unpretentious, warm and right at the base of the mountain. Ski in, steam, dine and sleep surrounded by snow.

Funäsfjällen
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Funäsfjällen

Riksgränsen

At the edge of the Arctic Circle, Riksgränsen is pure mythology for Nordic skiers. Up here, the season stretches into late spring and even early summer. The light and snowpack behave differently and you get those rare, long days that change how you time laps. The terrain ranges from sea-level-like approach runs to steep, technical ridges that test route-finding. It’s also a magnet for heli- and ski-touring ops, so you’ll find real adventure options if you want to push beyond lift-accessed lines. Niehku Mountain Villa brings high design and history together in a reimagined railway workshop. Its ski-in location and exceptional food make it the ultimate base for long Arctic days on snow.