Last Updated on August 15, 2025
Sälen, the largest ski area in Northern Europe
For skiers seeking a fresh destination, Sweden offers a compelling alternative. In Dalarna, Sweden, Sälen boasts the largest ski area in Northern Europe, spanning five resorts. From quiet slopes to a uniquely Scandinavian atmosphere, here’s why Sälen deserves a spot on your winter itinerary and why you should consider skiing in Sälen.
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The advantages of skiing in Sweden
The snow in Scandinavia is drier than in the Alps, and being so much further north, the snow lasts longer and is better for skiing in the later winter months of March and April. The cost of a ski holiday in the Alps has risen immensely in recent years. Try skiing in Sälen, Sweden, for a more affordable holiday; you will not be disappointed.
For family ski holidays, the difference is noticeable; facilities in the ski resorts are set up to cater for families, ski instructors speak excellent English, and the atmosphere in ski school is fun. Children up to six years old, wearing a helmet, can ski for free; in Kläppen, this age rises to seven. You can avoid the crowds common in the Alps, especially during peak weeks; the slopes in Sälen are less busy, so far more enjoyable.
The transfer time from the Scandinavian Mountains Airport to the ski resorts in Sälen is notably shorter compared to transfer times in the Alps, where some transfers exceed four hours, making travel time significantly shorter. The ski resorts of Lindvallen, Hundfjället and Tandådalen are well connected by the ski bus with regular buses throughout the day, allowing you to explore all of these resorts if you are skiing in Sälen.
Ski Resorts in Sälen
There are five main ski areas in Sälen: Stöten, Kläppen, and the three SkiStar resorts of Lindvallen, Hundfjället and Tandådalen. If you are staying in Stöten or Kläppen, your lift pass covers one day of skiing at the other resort, and there is a regional bus between the two resorts. One lift pass covers the resorts of Lindvallen, Hundfjället and Tandådalen. The cost is very reasonable, giving you eight days of skiing for the price of six days.
Stöten Ski Resort
Stöten ski resort is around twenty minutes transfer time from the Scandinavian Mountains Airport. Stöten is the northernmost ski resort in Sälen with the highest altitude. The Vargy chair lift has the longest vertical ascent in the area, and is the fastest chair lift.
There are fantastic views over the Swedish mountains from the top; on a clear day, the Norwegian resort of Trysil is clearly visible in the distance. With fifty pistes, Stöten has something for everyone; there are plenty of easy slopes for beginners and more challenging runs for the advanced skier. Stöten has the World Cup run; it was closed for training when I visited. The Älvan black piste has been consistently voted the best run in Sweden by freestyle skiers.
I loved the idea of the Grandmother’s slope, Mormors störtlopp, a long and easy green run from the top of the chair lift, where all the family can ski together. The snow is excellent with some lovely sweeping runs down to the two main squares, the Stötentorget and the Soltorget (a sunny space to stop for a break).
Stay at the Mountain Lodge Stöten for ski-in ski-out accommodation; the slopes are easily accessible with a button lift to take you up to the ski area. This comfortable and stylish lodge has rooms, fully equipped apartments for six to eight people, as well as a handful of stunning suites with incredible views over the resort. The Mountain Lodge is a short walk to the Stötentorget and has a spacious restaurant and bar as well as a relaxation area with a heated outdoor pool and sauna. Board options include self-catering, bed and breakfast or half board.
Check the link for more information on Skiing in Stoten.
Lindvallen Ski Resort
Lindvallen, a SkiStar resort, stretches across the mountain from Söderåstorget, with its new express chair lift to Sälfjällstorget. The skiing here is excellent for beginners and families, with an abundance of easy green and blue runs.
The main square, the Emperium, has all the facilities you could need with a public swimming pool, sauna, bowling alley and supermarket. Where else can you find a ski-through McDonald’s? The Gustavbacken blue run, a wide open piste, is a joy to ski and great for practising your technique.
Stop for lunch at the cosy Sälenstugan restaurant, tucked away in the forest, for a hearty mountain meal. This restaurant is full of character and built from old wood rescued from 18th-century farmhouses.
For a stay in Lindvallen, choose the Bügelhof Hotel, awarded the accolade of Sweden’s best Ski Hotel for the last six years. This four-star hotel is ideally located in Sälfjällstorget, close to the button lift to access the ski area, a ski-in ski-out hotel. The hotel boasts a spacious open bar and lounge area, featuring an impressive collection of over 170 gins. The lovely Winter restaurant serves traditional Swedish dishes, and the spa offers saunas and cold plunge pools.
For more information on Lindvallen Ski Resort.
Hundfjället Ski Resort
You can take the ski bus from Lindvallen to Hundfjället. This ski area has a good variety of runs for all abilities, with two main chair lifts, the East and West Express, taking you up the mountain. On a cold day, the West Express, with its heated seats and cover, is very welcome.
Hundfjället is perfect for families with small children. The Trollskogen, a winding green run, goes through the forest with animated areas, all troll-themed, for children to enjoy. Valle the Snowman, the area’s mascot, entertains children in ski school classes, making skiing in Sälen a fun experience.
Hundfjället also has some challenging red and black runs. The Väggen (the Wall) is one of the steepest black ski slopes in Sweden, with a sustained steep gradient suitable for expert skiers.
For details on skiing in Hundfjallet.
Tandådalen Ski Resort
From the bottom of the lifts in Hundfjället, just past the East express chair, is the link to the Tandådalen ski area. A two-stage button lift runs along the valley, making access between the two resorts effortless. In the middle section of the two buttons, you can find the Väggen chair lift. When going up the mountain on this lift, you can appreciate how steep the Väggen piste is.
Tandådalen offers more challenging runs, featuring some great red and black runs that descend from the top of the Tandådalen express chair lift. The Tandådalstorget centre is a good place to stop; this sunny square has numerous shops, including a coffee shop with a sun terrace. This is a perfect spot to stop and watch the world go by when you are skiing in Sälen.
The views from the top of the mountain are superb; you can see the Hundfjället ridge with the Väggen, and as far as Tyrsil in Norway, in good visibility. For a quieter area with excellent snow, make your way to Östra Tandådalen. The Pulsen Express chair lift gives you access to some great blue and red runs.
For more information on the SkiStar ski resort of Tandådalen.
The transfer time from Hundfjället and Tandådalen to the Scandinavian Mountains Airport is less than twenty minutes.
Kläppen Ski Resort
Kläppen ski resort, owned by the Eriksson family, has the lowest altitude of the resorts in Sälen but makes up for this with an excellent snow record. This well-designed resort augments natural snowfall with artificial snow, which is produced at the start of the season and kept covered and ready for use when needed. Kläppen has the only gondola lift in Sälen, travelling up to Toppstugan, where there is a large restaurant with sweeping views of the surrounding area.
Kläppen has three snow parks of varying difficulty and has a high profile in the Freestyle ski world. The resort has been designed to ensure that everyone can ski from the top to the bottom, regardless of ability. The runs vary in difficulty as you work your way across the mountain. The beginner’s area for children is cleverly laid out at the bottom of the slopes. Kläppen is a family-oriented resort, with 85% of its visitors being families. Accommodation is available in the ski-in ski-out Kurbits aparthotel and self-catering cottages.
Sälen is excellent for cross-country skiing with a multitude of ski tracks from those in the ski resorts of Stöten, Lindvallen, Hundfjället & Tandådalen to tracks heading off into the countryside from wherever you are staying. Cross-country skiing has a high profile in Dalarna due to the famous Vasaloppet race, the world’s biggest cross-country ski race, which starts at Berga and covers a distance of ninety kilometres; shorter options are the thirty kilometres, forty-five kilometres or relay race.
Skiing in Sälen may be a favourite among Stockholmers, but its charms are still under the radar for many international skiers. Offering snow-sure slopes, terrain for every ability, and prices well below those of the Alps, it’s a destination that delivers both value and variety. The scenery seals the deal — summit views framed by frost-coated trees create a picture-perfect Scandi winter wonderland.
Skiing in Sälen can be cold due to the latitude. Remember to pack your thermal underwear and layers to stay warm on the mountain.
Getting to Sälen
The easiest way to get to Sälen is with Scandinavian Airlines, SAS. A direct flight is available from London Heathrow to the Scandinavian Mountains Airport, taking just over two hours. Other options involve changing at either Kastrup Airport in Copenhagen or Arlanda in Stockholm. The transfer time from the Scandinavian Mountains Airport to the ski resorts and major towns is short. There are buses, taxis, snowmobiles and even dog sledge transfers from the airport. The airport also has a hire car service. I was hosted by Scandinavian Airlines with return flights from London Heathrow Airport.
The transfer time from Hundfjället and Tandådalen to the Scandinavian Mountains airport is less than twenty minutes, and from Lindvallen and Stöten, around twenty minutes. Kläppen is slightly further away from the airport with a transfer time of about forty-five minutes.
I was a guest of Visit Sweden and Visit Dalarna in March and skied in the resorts of Stöten, Lindvallen, Hundfjället and Tandådalen. On my first ski trip to Sweden, Sälen quickly won me over — with its pristine snow, well-groomed pistes, and the warm welcome from locals. It’s the kind of place that leaves you planning your return before you’ve even left.
Crystal Ski will be offering holidays to Sälen from December 2025 with Sunday flights from London Gatwick Airport. Click here for more information.
EasyJet has recently launched flights to the Scandinavian Mountains Airport. Starting on the 6th December 2025, for the 2025 Winter season, direct weekly flights will be available from Manchester and London Gatwick Airports, flying on Saturdays. For more information and to book flights, visit easyJet.com or use the mobile app.
The Visit Dalarna website has lots of helpful information on skiing in Sälen.
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