The Best Ski Resorts in Sweden

Whether your knowledge of Sweden extends as far as IKEA's iconic meatballs or you're a seasoned Scandinavia skier, I've put together a list of the best ski resorts in Sweden filled with useful take-aways to help you make an informed decision when deciding which destination is right for you.

I've skied in Sweden for over 20 years and the friendly atmosphere around the resorts combined with the natural beauty found in the backcountry never fails to surprise me. If you're yet to experience a laidback, tranquil Swedish getaway, you're in for a treat.

For personal advice from our first-hand knowledge of Sweden, enquire online or call our team of experts on 01273 224060.

Generally, most groups that decide to go on a skiing adventure together will consist of the good, the bad and the ugly (I'm speaking of their technique of course!). If your crew fits that description, there's no better destination than serial winner of Sweden's Best Ski Resort, Åre.

There's an outstanding variety of skiing for every ability across the 1,000 acre ski area (Scandinavia’s largest). Comfortable and quiet slopes for beginners to nail the basics, steeper blues where intermediates can hone their skills and a vast expanse of off-piste for experts to explore.

The gorgeous lakeside town is home to over fifty bars and restaurants serving up hearty Swedish dishes as well as the usual array of mountain food such as pizzas and burgers. With lunch and dinner sorted, entertainment is up next and there's no shortage of options. Take your pick from dog sledding, spas, splash pools, a chocolate factory, a distillery and live music on the weekend.

If you're skiing in an award-winning resort, it's only right to stay in an award-winning accommodation such as two-time winner of Sweden's Best Ski Hotel, the 5* Copperhill Mountain Lodge. Hitting the mark for convenience and luxury, the designer ski-in ski-out hotel has all the amenities you would want including onsite ski hire and a world-class spa to retreat to after an exciting day on the mountain.

"We stayed at the Copperhill Lodge Hotel, ski hire right in the hotel and ski out to the main lifts and back (if you can manage a short section of easy blue run) Everything about the resort was perfect-" - William Moen

Here's a top tip for any families with children or those trying skiing for the first time: choose a compact resort with everything you need on your doorstep. A shining example is Stöten, a small resort where the accommodation, bars, restaurants, supermarket, ski school and equipment hire are all within a 5 minute walk. Ideal for resting weary legs after a day in ski school.

That convenience extends to the easy to navigate ski area, where more than half the runs are graded for beginners and almost all end up at the same place, so there’s no need to hit the panic button if you’re fully focused on perfecting your turns and stray from your group!

Another bonus of a smaller resort is that they don't tend to draw big crowds and Stöten is no different. The slopes are quieter and you'll have more room to perfect your turns.

Finally, the locals are warm and welcome visitors with open arms by providing first-rate service and top-notch dishes made from locally sourced ingredients at reasonable prices.

Based in a peaceful area of the resort and 400m from shops and restaurants are the 4* Pistbyn apartments. This is a modern ski-in ski-out property best suited to groups and families and the fully equipped kitchen and nearby shops make this an ideal self-catering option.

"Fantastic resort for children and beginners. Lots of lovely long green and blue runs through the forest. No lift queues, friendly staff and great instructors. A particular highlight was the piste side BBQs in the sunshine." - Lynsey McKay

The quality of skiing and snowboarding is key for a successful trip to the mountains. However, having fun off the slopes is equally as important and that's where Björkliden comes into a league of its own. Not many can say they've been whisked through the magical Scandinavian backcountry via dogsled or snowmobile.

Björkliden sits on the edge of Abisko National Park with views over frozen lakes and the U-shaped Lapporten Mountain. It may come as a shock, but the views at night are even more spectacular as the resort is one of the best places in the world to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Sitting 200km north of the Arctic Circle, you would be correct in thinking there's plenty of powder and frequent dumpings of snow. The impressive ski area provides a well-rounded circuit of runs suitable for mixed abilities. The ski area becomes even more extensive as your lift pass gives you entry to Björkliden's sister resort, Riksgransen, which is accessible by a free shuttle bus service. To really explore and get the most out of these two areas, I highly recommend our Arctic Circle Ski Safari, which conveniently packages an unforgettable trip to both Arctic resorts.

One of the jewels in Björkliden's scenic crown is the Lapporten Lake and there's no better view than from the 4* Hotel Fjället. The convenient nature of the hotel doesn't stop at its ski-in ski-out position on the mountain, the equipment rental shop plus meeting points for lessons and guiding are right outside.

"Excellent Resort. Empty pistes and good facilities that are perfect for beginners and intermediates. Also, gave us the opportunity to see the northern lights." - Graham Pooley

One for skiers seeking that extra sense of adventure and looking to escape normality by visiting one of the world's most northerly ski resorts. Winter holidays to Riksgränsen are like no other. A trip here could see you experience the midnight sun, the Northern Lights and heart-racing heli-ski drops. The off-piste options are endless and any intermediate or advanced skier will be grinning from cheek to cheek the minute they step foot into the resort.

The expansive off-piste options make Riksgränsen a freeriders paradise and it's worth booking a ski touring day with over 100 different peaks to discover. But if you want to experience more than one ski area, I would suggest the blockbuster multi-resort trip we call the Åre and the Arctic Ski Safari.

The northern adventure sees you start in Scandinavia's largest resort Åre, followed by a picturesque train journey to Riksgränsen. Throughout your time, there's a good chance you'll experience the Northern Lights dancing in the sky and if that's not enough, you'll spend a night in the fanciest igloo you've ever seen at the ICEHOTEL®!

Arriving at the 3*+ Riksgränsen Hotel gives you a similar sensation to taking off your ski boots at the end of a day charging down the slopes followed by an hour of two-stepping at après in all your gear. It's incredibly comfortable and the hotel's alpine spa will have you feeling refreshed and recharged in next to no time. The buzz from ripping through Riksgränsen's superb ski area is carried into the hotel, creating an exciting atmosphere and leaving you itching to get out on the snow again! It's the main hub of the resort and has everything you need under one convenient roof.

"We had some of the most fun skiing we've had in years. Stepping off the train in Riksgränsen was a throwback to another world - the place is a gem for those who love skiing as much as we do. We were off-piste much more than expected and loved every minute of our time there. Overall, Riksgransen gave us a really unique experience that cannot be matched by other resorts in Europe. You get a taste of real adventure." - Magdalena Richardson

If you're now sold on Sweden, don't hesitate to call us on 01273 224060 for personal advice based on first-hand knowledge or request a quotation online.

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