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If you're looking for steep terrain, towering mountain peaks or really long, alpine descents, Scandinavia might not come top of your to-try list. But for almost everything else, its top ski resorts have got you covered. For a start, there's the northern latitudes which pretty much guarantee a snowsure long season, lasting from November to well into April and even beyond. And about that snow... Yes, Scandinavia is cold, but those freezing temperatures mean little or no freeze/thaw, so the snow stays powdery and plentiful.
Sweden, Norway and Finland live and breathe winter - a dog sled ride in Scandinavia takes on an entirely different feel when you're scudding across a frozen lake. The same goes for ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoe treks, winter walks and the warm embrace of a sauna after returning from a frozen adventure.
Resort costs are on a par with the Alps and are wonderfully family-friendly, and more accessible than you might think, plus the night skiing is a delight and the region even has its own special light – with the sun hardly breaking the horizon in the deepest depths of winter in the most northern destinations, an eerie blue half-light bathes the landscapes, creating an atmosphere unlike anything you'll find in the Alps!
Is it easy to get to Scandinavia from the UK?
It's not as simple as flying to the Alps but is still very do-able. Direct flights to the relatively new Scandinavian Mountains Airport that straddles the Norway-Sweden border provide easy access to two of the region’s biggest ski areas: Trysil and Sälen. UK tour operator, Sunweb, runs regular flights here from London.
Otherwise it's mostly flights to Oslo or Stockholm for Norway and Sweden - and train or coach transfers from there. Some of the most famous ski and holiday resorts in Finland are located right by Kittilä Airport: Levi, for example, is just 15 kilometres away and Ylläs around 35 kilometres. You can also fly from the UK direct to Ostersund airport which serves both Åre, at 98km, and also Vemdalen, a 90-minute transfer away.
Things that might surprise you about skiing in Scandinavia
From it's food to its scenery, from its uncrowded slopes to the winter lifestyle, Scandinavian skiing is full of wonderful surprises – and that's not including the quite unsurprising uptick in your chances of an awesome Aurora Borealis experience.
The food
One reason why you might choose to come to Scandinavia rather than the Alps is the food. It’s delicious and a far cry from the ubiquitous burgers or spag bol. You can dine on reindeer, elk stew, Arctic char (a white fish), fresh trout, warming goulash and sharp lingonberries. Dessert lovers have to try the cloudberries – a peachy coloured raspberry fruit with a tart, musky taste, usually served warm with ice cream.
Look no crowds!
Even with more UK skiers heading to snowsure Scandinavian resorts to avoid the increasingly unpredictable climate in the Alps and elsewhere, the slopes in Norway, Sweden and Finland are usually wonderfully crowd-free. At times it can feel like skiing your own private mountain. And the colder temperatures help keep the snow in good condition ensuring plenty of lovely powder.
Unique landscapes
It may not come as a surprise that Scandinavia is not blessed with 3,000m peaks, but the landscapes, especially further north have their own special beauty. The rolling fells of these northern climes stretch to the horizon, and due to the shorter hours of daylight in the depths of winter, they are bathed in an ethereal blue light, creating a unique atmosphere.
Indulge in luxury
Scandinavians are known for their modern elegance and understated design, but they know how to do luxury, too. There are numerous design hotels and boutique lodges throughout the region that offer enviable luxury. From ski-in/ski-out design hotels in Sweden to ex-presidential log cabins in Finland there are many ski accommodations across Scandinavia that combine sophisticated style with five-star service.
Scandinavians really 'do' winter
Scandinavians know how to fully embrace winter. So a ski holiday in Sweden, Norway or Finland is invariably much more than skiing. Try snowmobile rides, dog-sledding, or even braving a spot of ice-swimming, topped off by a reviving sauna. Some hotel rooms even come with their own private one. And in Ylläs you can even enjoy a sauna in a gondola! Oh, and a white Christmas is virtually guaranteed.
It's perfect for kids, families and beginner
Despite the cold, Scandinavian ski resorts offer some of the best family friendly facilities in Europe. With dedicated beginner areas in all resorts, and wide, rolling slopes perfect for practicing this is a wonderful place to learn to ski. The ski schools are all fantastic, with friendly, multi-lingual instructors. And for young families there is nothing better than a visit to Santa in the depths of Lapland.
10 Great Scandinavian Ski Resorts to Check Out
There are, remarkably, more than 170 ski resorts in Norway, according to the official Norwegian tourist board, more than 250 in Sweden and around 75 in Finland, underscoring the huge part winter plays in Scandinavian tourism. Here are some of the best-known resorts that should be top of your list.
Alternatively, you can check out editorial team's independent picks on the best ski resorts in Scandinavia here.
Åre, Sweden
With 100km of pistes, Åre is the real deal and a great place for your first foray into Scandinavian ski holidays. Sweden’s most famous ski resort attracts every type of skier, from beginners through to the more experienced, drawn to the region's reliable snow conditions. Intermediates will particularly enjoy Åre's fast, easy cruising and the feeling of travelling through the breathtaking surroundings, strung out alongside a dazzling lake. Beginners have plenty of easy terrain and the ski school instructors speak perfect English.
The resort’s slopes are serviced by fast, modern lifts, and the majority of the terrain is best-suited to beginner and intermediate skiers - although the mogul-dotted Hummelbranten, one of the resort’s seven black runs, will more than satisfy daredevils. There’s a great selection of other activities too, from husky sled rides to tobogganing.
Sälen, Sweden
If you like a ski holiday with short transfers, consider Sälen, one of the prettiest resorts in Northern Europe. The December 2019 opening of the Scandinavian Mountains Airport, means much less time in the car – it takes just 10 minutes to get from the airport to this winter wonderland.
Sälen is a base resort for four ski areas, and it’s ideal for beginner and intermediates, with endless wide open slopes (plus some delightful tree runs). There’s a wide range of accommodation, and around 50 restaurants. The resort, which is just a few miles from Sweden’s border with Norway has spent £8m since 2018 on upgrading the resort, which now has one of the best ski lifts in Scandinavia – the eight-person West Express Hundfjället chairlift. Other improvements include an expanded ski area and enhanced snowmaking.
Riksgränsen, Sweden
Often thought of as one for the purists, Sweden’s northernmost resort is also a great option for families – the resort is just a few kilometres from the border with Norway and 200km inside the Arctic Circle.
It's not the biggest of resorts, but is undoubtedly the most revered among advanced skiers. It’s one of Sweden’s top heli-skiing destinations, and those who take advantage will have access to more remote areas such as Mårma and Kebnekaise, where thrill-seekers can glide down powder-blanketed steeps which offer 1,500m of vertical drop. The resort’s 15 slopes range from green to black, and there are some fantastic runs for more advanced skiers, which offer stunning views over the northern Scandinavian fells.
Vemdalen, Sweden
There is no shortage of beautiful descents in Vemdalen. The slopes are spread over several mountains and are part of three different ski areas: Björnrike, Vemdalsskalet, and Klövsjö/Storhogna, offering nearly 50km of slopes up to an altitude of 946m.
The resort, which is in mid-western Sweden, is operated by SkiStar, which has invested heavily in Vemdalen, opening new express chairlifts and adding several new slopes in recent years. There is a children's zone with gentle slopes, a covered magic carpet, and a kids' sledding hill. There's excellent instruction for beginners, and a smattering of runs for advanced skiers. Intermediates will probably get most out of the well-groomed slopes.
Vemdalen is also home to many other fun activities, from cross-country skiing through beautiful forests, to a romantic snowshoe hike, from an exciting ride on a snowmobile, to some dog sledding.
Hemsedal, Norway
Hemsedal, a three-hour drive from Oslo, is a family-friendly ski resort famous for the variety of its terrain and long, winding runs, including the green-rated Solløypa, which stretches from the resort’s highest point (the 1,497m Totten summit) to the main base area.
Hemsedal offers more than 45km of well-maintained pistes, from gentle beginner slopes to challenging black runs. It's also a great spot for trying off-piste skiing for the first time – the terrain is extremely forgiving, and the majority of off-piste areas are close to groomed runs. Hemsedal also offers cross-country skiing, tobogganing, snow tubing, and dog sledding. For the little ones, there is even a children's zone with its own ski lift and fun activities.
For food and drink, relax at one of the many mountain huts or welcoming restaurants in Hemsedal. You're sorted for apres-ski, too. At the lively bars and clubs, you can dance until the early hours.
Trysil, Norway
You’ll find Norway’s largest ski resort just a three-hour drive from Oslo, and just a 45-minute drive from the Scandinavian Mountains Airport. The cosy accommodations are located directly by the slopes, so there's only a few metres from bedroom to piste.
The resort has over 70 runs, and although it’s a great option for beginners and families, it’s also one of Norway’s top resorts for intermediate and advanced skiers, who can cruise around Trysil’s off-piste areas, glide through the runs which weave through Vihammerskogen forest, catch some air in one of the resort’s snow parks or tackle steep, fast descents such as Piste 75, which has an angle of 45 degrees on the steeper sections.
The resort is also known for its regular night skiing sessions. And then there’s the après-ski. You’ll find everything from cosy pubs to cocktail bars and nightclubs here.
Geilo, Norway
Winner of the country’s best ski resort at the World Ski Awards for each of the last six years, Geilo is a great choice for beginners, families, and lovers of cross-country skiing. Despite its location at the very heart of Norway, Geilo is easy to reach thanks to its position on the Oslo to Bergen railway. Geilo offers 46 alpine slopes, with a wide range of children's areas and slopes from green to black, as well as exciting terrain parks.
In the base areas, the slopes are specially designed for children and beginners, allowing you to easily progress to larger runs and more lifts. Geilo also has two ski schools, perfect for both beginners and those looking to refine their technique. Off-ski activities include lift-based sledding, evening snowshoe tours and ice fishing!
Levi, Finland
It may not be the highest of resorts (the high point is just 531m), but there's a definite other-worldly quality about a ski holiday here, from the extraordinary ethereal light that blankets the fells which stretch as far as the eye can see, to the frequent appearance of the Northern Lights. With 38km of slopes and 6km of ski routes, it offers a long snow-sure season and has also just hosted the Finnish leg of the women’s Alpine Ski World Cup in November.
In recent years several new ski lifts have popped up, and there’s now a brilliant choice of accommodation including Aurora cabins, perfect for viewing the Northern Lights. Effortlessly family-friendly, there’s a wide range of activities – including night-time snowmobile safaris and husky rides – for those keen to admire the phenomena from the resort’s most remote corners.
Ylläs, Finland
Pronounced 'U-las', this is the largest downhill and cross-country ski centre in Finland with the greatest uplift per hour. Almost half of the 62 slopes in Ylläs are over a kilometre long, with eight slopes over 2km, while the longest slopes are over 3km. The total ski area is 53km, and the difference in altitude is up to 464 metres. Those are the stats, but Ylläs, like the other Finnish Lapland resorts has to be experienced to appreciate the beauty of the fells, and the warmth of the welcome despite the cold, dry temperatures here.
The southern side of the fell offers a particularly unforgettable experience – a sauna gondola where you can enjoy the heat of an authentic Finnish sauna while riding the gondola lift amidst stunning scenery.
And here's one you might not have heard of...
Stöten, Sweden
In the middle of Sweden, on the Norwegian border, lies the ski village of Stöten. An untouched winter wonderland, a skiers' paradise, with fun for the whole family: that’s Stöten in a nutshell. With more than 45 km of slopes, ranging from gentle beginner descents to challenging black sections, there is something for everyone.
A major advantage of staying in Stöten is that many hotels are ski-in, ski-out, so no faffing. You can also enjoy tobogganing, snowmobiling, and dogsledding. For the little ones, there is a children's zone with its own ski lift and fun activities. After an active day on the slopes, you can relax at one of the many excellent restaurants or bars in Stöten, enjoying local specialities such as elk stew or trout with mashed potatoes whilst admiring the beautiful snow-capped mountains.
Take the trip with Sunweb
Here's a selection of some of the Scandinavian holidays offered by Sunweb. All Sunweb holidays include lift pass, flights and transfers.
Skistar Lodge, Trysil
Located in the stunning Høyfjellssenter neighbourhood of Trysil, the Skistar Lodge is a beautiful, ski-in, ski-out hotel, just 50m from the lifts and 60m from the nearest slope. Since this luxury hotel is situated in the mountains, you will have direct access from there to the Trysil ski area. The stylish, spacious rooms are furnished in an elegant Norwegian style. In addition, the hotel features a wonderful spa. For an additional fee, you can relax in two outdoor Jacuzzis with a unique view of the winter wonderland around you. You will also find four saunas and a heated indoor swimming pool at your disposal there.
At Restaurant Tabben, you can enjoy a delicious lunch, dinner, or a refreshing drink. For mouth-watering Asian dishes, you should not miss a visit to Restaurant Mori. There is also a fantastic Italian restaurant, and a warming lounge with a fireplace. There's also an option to book half-board.
Prices: from £736pp for 8 days - BOOK NOW
Lodge Hundfjället, Sälen
The 4.5 star Lodge Hundfjället is a modern complex in Sälen's Hundfjället districte. The lodge is set on a lovely square, with the H5 West express lift just 150m away and slopes at 60m for a ski-in, ski-out experience.
Don’t miss out on a refreshing drink at the comfortable lounge bar; making a toast is an essential part of any successful ski trip! At this stylish bar, there is often live music at the end of the day. If you’d like a little extra relaxation, visit the Frost pool & sauna (for an additional fee). The rooms are all luxuriously decorated, with warm colours and comfortable furnishings used throughout.
Prices: from £832pp for 8 days - BOOK NOW
Skistar Lodge, Hemsedal
Ski-in, ski-out accommodation doesn't get much better than this. This modern complex in the heart of Hemsedal offers everything you will need for an unforgettable ski holiday.
There are fully equipped apartments with 2-3 bedrooms, perfect for families or a group of friends. All apartments include a kitchen, comfortable beds, a bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the beautiful mountains. After a long day on the slopes, you can relax in the sauna or Jacuzzi at the complex.
The highlight of Skistar Lodge Hemsedal is its unique location. The apartments are situated next to the slopes, so you can start skiing right away each morning. The nearest ski lifts and ski school are also accessible on foot. Within the immediate vicinity of the complex, you will find several restaurants, bars, and shops to enjoy.
Prices: from £953pp for 8 days - BOOK NOW
Pistbyn Apartments, Stöten
Just 20km from the new Scandinavian Mountain Airport, and with modern 3-bedroom apartments right by the slopes and surrounded by stunning nature, Pistbyn is the ideal base for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Its apartments have a modern, Scandinavian style and are equipped with all the amenities you will need. Look forward to your own cosy living room with a fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, and several bedrooms with private bathrooms. Most apartments feature a balcony or terrace with breathtaking mountain views.
After a fun day of skiing or snowboarding, you can relax in the sauna or jacuzzi. End your day with a tasty meal at the in-house restaurant or grab your favourite drink at the bar.
Prices: from £878pp for 8 days - BOOK NOW
