🗺️ Are, Salen and Lapland: where to ski in Sweden and how much a ski pass costs

Sweden rarely makes it onto lists of ski destinations. People usually think of the Alps, Austria, and the French Three Valleys first. Yet north of the Baltic Sea, several dozen ski resorts are up and running.

You won't need a helicopter or heli-skiing. Lifts take you up to groomed slopes, and snow stays on the runs all season. If natural snow is in short supply, resorts turn on the snow cannons. What sets the Swedish model apart isn't the steepness of the slopes, it's the overall experience.

Below are eight resorts from Jämtland to Lapland. For each one, you'll find where it is and who it suits.

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How the ski season works in Sweden

💡 In short:

The season in the central regions runs from late November through April, and in the far north skiing continues until mid-June.
It's cheaper to buy a ski pass online in advance: during week 8 and at Easter prices are higher, and slope-side accommodation gets booked up months ahead.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official SkiStar website.

Sweden's ski market is split among several operators. The largest is SkiStar: it runs Åre, Sälen, and Vemdalen, as well as a lift in Stockholm itself. The other resorts operate independently or belong to groups such as Funäsfjällen.

Snow behaves differently here than in the Alps. The resorts sit on plateaus and gentle slopes, the wind blows the snow away, so the runs are prepared with snow cannons. Sälen and Vemdalen offer a snow guarantee for the whole season, and in the north the snow lasts until June.

The day doesn't end when you stop skiing. Restaurants near the lifts let you walk in wearing your ski boots. The menu isn't limited to a "smorgasbord": they serve reindeer, salmon, and cheese pies. In the evening the resorts turn on the music, and the après-ski kicks off, which is exactly why many people come to Scandinavia.

1. Åre: the country's largest resort

Åre is located in Jämtland, in central Sweden. The resort is managed by SkiStar, and one ski pass works on all lifts. Hotels, rental shops, and restaurants sit right next to the village, so you don't need a car.

Snow-covered Ore station with mountains and tracks

The slopes are divided into zones, with ski buses running between them. Beginners have plenty of practice runs near the hotels, while experienced skiers head for the long descents. In the evening the village shifts to restaurants and bars.

Where: Jämtland, central Sweden.
Who it's for: skiers of any level and anyone who wants nightlife.
Accommodation: Hotels in Åre on Trip.com.

2. Sälen: a family resort with wide slopes

Sälen lies in Dalarna, not far from the Norwegian border. According to SkiStar, Sweden's widest slope operates here in the 2026/2027 season.

Family on the wide snow-covered Selena slope

The resort is made up of several villages with a shared ski pass. The slopes are wide and gentle, and ski buses run between them. This is the easiest place to try skiing for the first time: instructors and rental shops are right by the lifts.

Where: Dalarna.
Who it's for: families with children and beginner skiers.
Accommodation: Hotels in Sälen on Trip.com.

3. Vemdalen: three zones and 58 slopes

Vemdalen is located in Härjedalen, in central Sweden. According to vemdalen.se, it is the country's third largest ski resort: 58 slopes, three snow parks, and 35 lifts.

The resort is made up of three separate areas: Björnrike, Klövsjö/Storhogna, and Vemdalsskalet. The skiing here is relaxed, with long blue runs and forest between them. SkiStar sells a combined ski pass for all three areas.

Where: Härjedalen.
Who it's for: families and skiers who want long runs without crowds.
Accommodation: Hotels in Vemdalen on Trip.com.

4. Idre Fjäll: a resort for families with children

Idre Fjäll is located in Dalarna, near the Norwegian border. According to Idre Fjäll, ski passes here are sold by the day, by the week, and for the whole season, and there is a ski school, rental, and children's areas right next to the slopes.

Idre Fjäll ski slopes among snow-covered forest

The resort is designed for families: children have their own dedicated areas while adults ski higher up. In the evening you return to your accommodation right by the lift, with no need to drive anywhere.

Where: Dalarna.
Who it's for: families with children and first-time skiers.
Accommodation: Hotels in Idre Fjäll on Trip.com.

5. Funäsfjällen: Sweden's largest ski area

Funäsfjällen in Härjedalen is not a single resort but a group of six areas. According to Funäs Booking, together they offer more than 147 slopes, making it the country's largest ski area.

The group includes Funäsdalsberget, Tänndalen, Ramundberget, Tännäskröket, Kappruet, and Tänndalsvallen. One ski pass works in all areas, and a ski bus takes you between the villages.

Where: Härjedalen.
The catch: the areas are spread out across the valley, so you'll need a car or the ski bus to get around.
Accommodation: Hotels in Funäsfjällen on Trip.com.

6. Hemavan: skiing above the Arctic Circle

Hemavan is located in Lapland, above the Arctic Circle. According to Hemavan, it is the largest ski resort in northern Sweden: 9 lifts, including a gondola, 37 slopes, children's areas, and a snow park.

Snow-covered slope and ski lift in Hemavan

People ski here in both winter and spring: the snow in these mountains lasts a long time. The resort is surrounded by treeless plateaus, so the wind at the top feels stronger than in the valley.

Where: Lapland, above the Arctic Circle.
Who it's for: those who want snow into spring and northern nature.
Accommodation: Hotels in Hemavan on Trip.com.

7. Tärnaby: slopes for strong skiers

Tärnaby sits right next to Hemavan, in the same part of Lapland. According to Tärnaby Alpint, the resort is focused on sports: there are family slopes, but the main draw is freeride and terrain for training and competitions.

Tärnaby from above: village, lake and ski slopes

Tärnaby has produced champions, and local schools still train athletes. You'll enjoy it here if you can handle off-piste skiing and aren't afraid of steep sections.

Where: Lapland.
Who it's for: experienced skiers and those who want to ride off-piste.
Accommodation: Hotels in Tärnaby on Trip.com.

8. Riksgränsen: the northernmost resort

Riksgränsen lies above the Arctic Circle, near the Norwegian border. The official website calls it the northernmost ski resort in the world.

Snow-covered Riksgränsen mountain resort with ski lifts

The resort's defining feature is its season. The season here ends in mid-June, and at the end of it you ski under the midnight sun: the light never fades all night. In winter you come here for freeride and off-piste terrain.

Where: Lapland, above the Arctic Circle.
The catch: in winter there's polar night here, with very little daylight.
Who it's for: experienced skiers looking for an unusual season and freeride.
Accommodation: Hotels in Riksgränsen on Trip.com.

How to get to the resorts

Logistics in Sweden are straightforward, but the distances are long. The central resorts, Åre and Vemdalen, are easy to reach by train. For Lapland, Hemavan and Riksgränsen, flying is faster, and from there you continue by bus or rental car.

Between villages within a single resort, ski buses get you around, so you often don't need a car on site. If you plan to move between resorts, book a car in advance: the fleet gets picked over in high season.

Tickets for trains in Sweden: check on Trip.com.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When does the ski season start in Sweden?

The season at resorts in central Sweden opens in late November and runs through April. In the north, in Lapland, skiing lasts longer: Riksgränsen closes only in mid-June, and Hemavan holds snow until spring.

How much does a ski pass cost?

The price depends on the resort and the date: during week 8 and at Easter it is higher. In Åre and Sälen one pass covers all lifts; in Funäsfjällen it opens six zones. Check current prices on the resort's website before buying.

Do I need a car at a ski resort in Sweden?

At large resorts like Åre and Sälen you don't need a car: lodging, lifts, and restaurants are all close together. In Funäsfjällen the zones are spread along the valley, so a ski bus or a car will come in handy.

Where should I ski with a family and kids?

Sälen and Idre Fjäll are built for families: wide slopes, children's areas, ski schools, and rentals within walking distance. Vemdalen also works well for kids if you're not chasing difficult runs.

Can you ski in Sweden in summer?

Yes, but only in the far north. In Riksgränsen the season runs into mid-June, and you can ski under the midnight sun. In central Sweden the ski slopes are closed in summer.

In short: what to book

If you're going for the first time and with kids, start with Sälen or Idre Fjäll: wide slopes and a short walk from your lodging. For a big resort with nightlife and restaurants, head to Åre. For the longest season and northern light, go to Hemavan and Riksgränsen.

Slopeside lodging gets booked up months ahead, so reserve early: hotels in the Swedish mountains on Trip.com. You can easily reach the central resorts by train: train tickets.

Ski resorts in Sweden: where to ski from December to June