Last Updated on August 19, 2025

Experience the magical Winter wonderland of Sälen in Dalarna

Sälen, in the western part of Dalarna, central Sweden, is a winter wonderland with the most extensive skiing area in Northern Europe. The landscape is dramatic, with forests, mountains, and frozen lakes. If you don’t ski, there are a host of other activities to enjoy and things to experience in this beautiful mountain area situated near the border with Norway, close to the Scandinavian Mountains Airport.

Gastronomic Snowshoe Adventure

A gastronomic snowshoe walk in the Sälenfjallen with Explore Sälen will take you off the beaten track on an adventure into the stunning winter wilderness. Snowshoe walking is peaceful, as it allows you to get away from it all. An experienced local guide provides your snowshoes and describes the surrounding area and nature during the walk.  

As you walk further into the wilderness, the trees get noticeably smaller a silent, white winter snowscape surrounds you. You stop at an open shelter on the top of the ridge to sample gastronomic products produced locally.

Tuck into fresh bread baked at Olinpagården in Sälen village with local jams and sausages, including beef sausage, moose sausage and bear sausage with a hot blueberry drink.

There is nothing better than food cooked in the open air. Pytt I panne, a Swedish classic, is a great example with small chunks of meat, root vegetables and herbs heated in an open pan, over a fire with butter. It is warming and delicious. A cup of steaming hot coffee from a flask finishes this outdoor feast, together with sweet chunks of locally produced chocolate.

Dog Sledding

Dog sledding is a thrilling way to venture into the wilderness. You can hear the eager dogs calling out in excitement at the prospect of a run. Wrap up in a cosy sled and let yourself be transported into the countryside. When they are on the move, the dogs are quiet and obviously happy; they are born to be at one with nature.

There is a true sense of exploration as you wend your way through the landscape to a lodge in Storfjällsgraven for a warming hot chocolate before the exhilaration of the return journey. If you haven’t tried dogsledding, it is a memorable experience and highly recommended.

Fjälläventyr runs dog sledding sessions from Gammelgården, you can choose from one and a half hours, two and a half hours or longer sessions with an overnight stay in a hytte, a Swedish hut.

Ice hole fishing

A unique experience is Ice hole fishing on frozen water. This is available to book through Explore Sälen. The thickness of the ice brought up by the ice drill is surprising. Try your hand at making a hole with the ice drill; it is much harder than it looks.

All equipment is provided for this activity, including the bait. You can see the fish slowly moving under the ice in the darkness provided by a tent that covers the ice surface.  

The fish are large and extremely elusive. The most common species are Arctic char and trout. Hot coffee and sweet chocolate balls are welcome refreshments while you wait. This activity is peaceful and does require patience.

Ice Skating

If you want to go ice skating, there are lots of possibilities. There is a small ice-skating rink at Säfjällstorget in Lindvallen, easily accessible by bus. Further afield, there are numerous lakes with surfaces prepared specifically for skating, where you can ice skate in the midst of nature. Explore Sälen offer a full-day ice skating activity. 

Snowmobiling

If you enjoy fast-paced activities, a great way to explore the countryside is by snowmobile; you can even get a snowmobile transfer from the Scandinavian Mountains Airport to your accommodation on arrival. There are lots of marked tracks for snowmobiles to drive along. If you are new to snowmobiling, the best option is to join a group guided snowmobile tour. Fjälläventyr run group sessions from Gammelgården.

The Northern Lights

Scandinavia is well known as one of the regions where you are more likely to see the Northern Lights. On a clear night, head out into the dark away from light pollution to have the highest possibility of seeing this incredible natural phenomenon. Explore Sälen offer a nighttime tour in search of the Northern Lights.

Gastronomic dining at the Frö Restaurant

For fans of gourmet food, Sälen has an outstanding restaurant in Frö Flora & Fauna of Dalarna, located in Hundfjället.

This cosy wooden restaurant has a set tasting menu of dishes produced from local ingredients gathered from the garden and the surrounding area. Each small dish is beautifully presented and packed with flavour. Berries, leaves, petals and even lichen form part of the innovative menu created by chef Charlie McCorgray. Seasonal menus reflect the changing produce available throughout the year

The ash croustade with Swedish squid and lovage is a heavenly small bite and full of flavour.

The signature dish of meat taken from a roasted pig head from the Forsa farm, served with pickled rhubarb, crispy pork skin, and rosemary oil, covered with a browned butter foam, is exceptional. 

Why not visit Sälen for a unique and memorable winter holiday? There are plenty of outdoor activities you can experience in this magical Swedish destination.

Travelling to Sälen

The easiest way to travel to Sälen is with Scandinavian Airlines, SAS. An early morning direct flight is available from London Heathrow in February and March, taking just over two hours. Other options include 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 sled transfers from the airport. The Scandinavian Mountains Airport also has a hire car service.

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 the mobile app

Staying in Sälen, Dalarna

Accommodation possibilities for a stay in Sälen range from hotels to self-catering apartments and houses, or cabins.  A regular bus service runs between Lindvallen, Hundfjället and Tandådalen.

The Bügelhof Hotel, situated in the Lindvallen area, has been awarded the accolade of the best Ski Hotel in Sweden for six years in a row since 2019. This lovely, four-star hotel is excellently located for exploring Sälen. It is close to transport options, has the lovely Winter restaurant, a spacious lounge bar serving over one hundred and seventy gins, as well as a spa and sauna. The Bügelhof Hotel is open during the winter season; it is closed during the summer.  

The Olarsgården Hotel in Säfjällstorget, just off the main road, provides cosy accommodation in a peaceful setting with great food. This hotel is full of character, has an exceptional restaurant, and is a warm and welcoming place to stay.

For a stay in Stöten, the Mountain Lodge Stöten has rooms, fully catered apartments for 6 -8 guests, as well as stunning suites with mountain views. An outdoor heated pool and a relaxation area are available in the hotel, as well as a bar and restaurant. This hotel is closed for the summer months.

I was a guest of Visit Dalarna and Visit Sweden for a March visit, with flights from Scandinavian Airlines, staying at the Bügelhof, Olarsgården and Mountain Lodge Stöten. We experienced snowshoe walking, dog sledding and ice hole fishing. An evening sampling the tasting meal at the Frö Flora & Fauna restaurant was one of the highlights of my visit.

Explore Sälen offer numerous winter activities in Sälen, including gastronomic snowshoe walks, ice hole fishing, skating activities and Northern Lights walks.

For more information on dog sledding or snowmobiling with Fjälläventyr.

Visit Frö Flora & Fauna of Dalarna to book an amazing gourmet dinner at this superb mountain restaurant.

For more details on Sälen as a winter destination, see Visit Dalarna.

For more about the region, do check our features on Skiing in Sälen and on summer activities in Dalarna