Winter thrills in Sweden: from snowmobile adventures on frozen lakes to off-piste skiing in Abisko National Park, deep in Swedish Lapland.
The best time to discover Sweden in winter is from late February to April, when the days grow longer and the sun brings some warmth. Why not head beyond the Alps for a long weekend or a ski week in one of the inland towns or on the Baltic coast in the north of Sweden?
In winter, Sweden offers countless opportunities to combine stunning wilderness with outdoor activities: snowmobile tours, husky sledding, skiing, kitesurfing, ice fishing, snowshoe trekking, and ice skating.
Plus, on the southern coast of Luleå in Lapland, there’s even an icebreaker excursion: passengers are taken out to sea, and—outfitted in thermal suits—the bravest can even swim in the open water carved by the ship!
Skiing in Sweden’s Mountains
For ski lovers, Sweden’s mountains (the “fjällen”) offer plenty of alternatives. The peaks may not be high (the tallest, Kebnekajse, reaches 2,111 m), but the slopes are fantastic, lift lines are short, and the scenery is simply unforgettable—here, nature truly takes center stage.
In all the main ski resorts, you can mix downhill skiing and snowboarding with cross-country. There’s a dense network of trails for day trips or multi-day treks, supported by hotels, lodges, or shelters for overnight stays.
Wellness Centers in Sweden
In recent years, many hotels have opened modern wellness centers. In Sweden, the sauna is the natural way to end a day outdoors, while you await After-Ski happy hour, dinner, or evening entertainment. The most beautiful mountain SPA is 110 km south of Östersund: Storhogna Högfjällshotell & spa, in the Vemdalen valley (500 km from Stockholm) in the Härjedalen region. It’s a lovely spot offering a wellness retreat with a big pool and winter garden. Outside the hotel, you’ll find excellent cross-country skiing trails, as well as the close-by Funäsdalen—Sweden’s third-largest ski area.
Skiing in Untouched Nature
If you want to ski right in the middle of nature, far from the cities, don’t miss northwestern Lapland at the Norwegian border. Riksgränsen, Björkliden, and Abisko are three small ski resorts—you only need one ski pass for the area—easily reachable by train from Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost town. This area offers superb off-piste runs as well as many other outdoor activities.
Northern Lights
Abisko Turiststation is set in the heart of Abisko National Park, 250 km north of the Arctic Circle. From here, a cable car takes you up to the Aurora Sky Station, one of the most famous spots in the world for viewing the Northern Lights, thanks to reliably clear skies.
The famous Kungsleden trail—the royal hiking route—starts at Abisko and heads south. You can explore it on day-long or multi-day cross-country ski trips, staying overnight in huts along the way. Nearby, Kebnekaise and its charming Kebnekaise fjällstation mountain lodge-hotel offer excellent local cuisine—the perfect treat after a long day outdoors.
Chocolate Factory
In Åre, in the Jämtland region at the southern tip of Lapland, you can ski the famous slopes that hosted the 2007 World Championships—or try kitesurfing, ice skating, or other snow sports. Don’t miss a visit to the delightful chocolate factory, Åre chokladfabrik, whose hand-made chocolates are a true treat.
The nightlife here is the liveliest among Swedish ski resorts. The nearest airport is at Östersund, just a 50-minute drive away. At the Holiday Club, there’s a superb SPA with a 2,300 m² pool area, eight pools, a waterfall, and a waterslide!
If you’re seeking solitude surrounded by nature, head to Storulvån, 45 minutes from Åre in the Sylarna mountain range—a mountain lodge where, after a day of activities, you can relax in a panoramic sauna with mountain views and dine on surprisingly excellent cuisine in this remote setting.
