Sweden is home to the world’s largest ski race, the legendary Vasaloppet. But there are many other opportunities to go cross-country skiing, even for beginners. Here you find a collection of tracks, listed from north to south.
So pack your picnic bag, head out into the winter wonderland for some delightful exercise and savour your coffee and ‘fika’ where it tastes the best – outdoors in Swedish nature.
Cross-country skiing, Swedish Lapland
Try cross-country skiing in Swedish Lapland.
Photo: Håkan Stenlund/ Swedish Lapland
Cross-country skiing, Swedish Lapland
Photo: Håkan Stenlund/ Swedish Lapland
Saxnäs, Västerbotten
Photo: Magnus Ström/Saxnäs
Dundret, Gällivare: Dundret hosts several ski races for amateurs and professionals. ‘Dundret runt’ has been a classic since 1965, and here it’s more important to have fun than to go fast. Choose between 30 and 50 kilometres.
Pagla, Boden: At Pagla, you can go skiing with your dog if it’s leashed. All tracks are lit until 10 pm, and the longest track is 15 kilometres.
Ormberget, Luleå: The cross-country skiing tracks at Ormberget are prepared from early morning nearly every day in winter and lit from 7 am to 10 pm. Choose between exercise tracks and more difficult elite tracks, 1-10 kilometres long.
Kittelfjäll: In Kittelfjäll, you can start your skiing tour in the middle of the village, head out on the mountain above the tree line, or take the track that goes into Marsfjällens nature reserve. One 3.5-kilometre-long floodlit trail is illuminated until 11 pm.
Saxnäs: The cross-country skiing season in Saxnäs is long, from November until April or May. STF Saxnäsgården offers all-inclusive packages with access to the trails (19 kilometres in total).
Borgafjäll: Borgafjäll’s cross-country skiing tracks are open for classic and skate skiing. Choose between 2.5 (floodlit trail), 5, 8, 10 or 15 kilometres long trails.
Cross-country skiing in the High Coast
During winter, the High Coast area is turned into a winter wonderland where you can go cross-country skiing or alpine skiing.
Photo: Leif Wikberg
Cross-country skiing in the High Coast
Photo: Leif Wikberg
Skuleskogen national park
Photo: Joakim Norenius / Höga Kusten Destinationsutveckling
Ramundberget, Funäsfjällen, in Jämtland-Härjedalen
Photo: Ramundberget
The High Coast of Sweden offers a wide range of cross-country skiing opportunities. For example, Nätra Fjällskog, where snow-covered treetops and 30 kilometres of freshly prepared trails studded with old cottages and barns contribute to the mountainous feeling. Or Hallstaberget, with its 60 kilometres of trails stretching through diverse terrain and offering lovely views over Sollefteå town. The High Coast has several floodlit trails, and dogs are allowed in some tracks during certain hours if they are on a leash.
Åre: Åre is not only one of Sweden’s largest alpine ski resorts. It offers all kinds of skiing experiences, cross-country included. Choose from various tracks in different areas, many of which are illuminated from 7 am until 10 pm. Keep yourself updated on open trails, snow quality and maps with the digital map guide Åre Trails.
Östersund: Up to 89 kilometres of cross-country skiing tracks snake around the town, and even more just outside. Don’t miss the opportunity to ski on the frozen Lake Storsjön, with mile-wide views and the mountains as a backdrop.
Funäsfjällen: With over 300(!) kilometres of well-prepared tracks scattered over the mountainous area, Funäsdalen caters to families and world elite skiers. You’ll find all tracks with maps and status in the app ‘Spår och leder i Funäsfjällen’ (available in English and Swedish).
Harsa, Järvsö: Situated 400 metres above sea level, Harsa usually has snow from October until April. 3 out of the total 85 kilometres are floodlit trails. However, you can ski many tracks with only a headlamp – especially when there’s a full moon out.
Vasaloppet in Mora, Dalarna
The finish line at the famous ski race Vasaloppet in Dalarna.
Photo: Vasaloppet
Vasaloppet in Mora, Dalarna
Photo: Vasaloppet
Cross-country skiing at Orsa Grönklitt, Dalarna
Photo: Alexander Winther/ Visit Dalarna
Cross-country skiing, Lugnet, Dalarna
Photo: RichardLindor/ Visit Dalarna
Cross-country skiing in Mattila, Värmland
Photo: Mattila
Vasaloppet (Sälen-Mora): The world’s largest ski competition has been arranged since 1922. The race is on 2 March 2025, but you can ski the 90-kilometre-long and legendary route all winter.
Orsa Grönklitt: At this ski resort, you’ll find 130 kilometres of cross-country skiing tracks snaking through varied terrain. Orsa Grönklitt’s great investment in cross-country skiing has earned them the title ‘Official Vasaloppet Centre’ along with 19 other ski centres.
Lugnet, Falun: The Swedish national arena for Nordic skiing stores snow every year, and the ski centre is usually able to open in early November. The tracks vary from a 3.3 kilometres long floodlit trail to a 15 kilometres long elite trail.
Långberget: Another Official Vasaloppet Centre, 630 metres above sea level. Långberget covers the most: short tracks for the beginner, longer tracks in challenging terrain, floodlit trails and one that welcomes dogs. In total, 63 kilometres of well-groomed cross-country skiing tracks.
Mattila: In a good winter, this little holiday village offers 170 kilometres of prepared tracks – some stretching into Norway. Mattila has something for the whole family with both easy and more challenging trails.
Engelbrektsspåret, Norberg: This 27-kilometre-long track, with several shorter trails, snakes along lakes and through the forest. The big happening of the winter is the ski race Engelbrektsloppet (60 kilometres), which is a part of the highly popular collection of classic races in Sweden called ‘En svensk klassiker’ (A Swedish Classic).
Björnön, Västerås: At the island of Björnön, you can go cross-country skiing in prepared tracks on Lake Mälaren or take a course in cross-country skiing techniques.
Skogsvallen: The city of Uppsala has several prepared cross-country skiing tracks, where Skogsvallen is the longest (2.5-5 kilometres) and illuminated.
Fika, Småland
Enjoy a Swedish fika after a day of skiing in Småland.
Photo: Sara Landstedt, Day Fotografi/ Smålands turism
Fika, Småland
Photo: Sara Landstedt, Day Fotografi/ Smålands turism
Cross-country skiing, Skogsvallen, Uppsala
Photo: Gustav Dalesjö/ Destination Uppsala
Cross-country skiing, Billingen, Skövde
Photo: Tobias Andersson/ Regions Västsverige
The capital of Sweden serves up a range of possibilities to go cross-country skiing around the city with both natural and/or artificial snow. Stockholm Olympic Stadium (often referred to as ‘Stadion’) in the city centre and Hellasgården in Nacka nature reserve are two popular tips, but you can also find natural tracks in different areas.
Eskilstuna: Eskilstuna has several cross-country skiing tracks around town. Some tracks are lit until 10 pm, and the length varies from 1.3 kilometres up to 13 kilometres.
Nyköping: In the town of Nyköping, many floodlit trails are turned into cross-country skiing tracks during winter. Choose between forest trails and open fields.
Billingen, Skövde: Strategically situated on a hill and an Official Vasaloppet Centre, Billingen offers a 11 kilometre long floodlit trail with artificial snow – one of the longest in Sweden. When there’s natural snow, you can enjoy a total of 30 kilometres of tracks.
Lassalyckan, Ulricehamn: Lassalyckan is also an Official Vasaloppet Centre and has been the host for the Cross-Country World Cup several times. The artificial snow track is partly illuminated and stretches up to 11.5 kilometres. On a good winter, you’ll also have 5, 10 and 15 kilometres long tracks of varying difficulty.
Mullsjö Alpin: When there is snow, Mullsjö Alpin ski resort prepares two cross-country skiing tracks, 5 and 10 kilometres long.
Isaberg Mountain Resort: There are several cross-country skiing opportunities close to Isaberg, with floodlit trails and natural as well as artificial snow, if the weather permits.
Åkulla Bokskogar: One of the foremost cross-country skiing areas with artificial snow in the county of Halland. Åkulla offers 3.1 kilometres of prepared tracks for at least 30 days during the winter.
Ätrans Ski Centre: Home to Sweden’s southernmost biathlon course and a 3 kilometres long cross-country skiing track with artificial snow and lights until 10 pm. If there is natural snow in the area, another three tracks (5, 7 and 10 kilometres long) are prepared.
Halmstad Skidarena: If the winter is cold enough, Halmstad Golfarena turns into Halmstad Skidarena with a cross-country skiing track of 2 kilometres overlooking the Kattegatt sea area.
