UK skiers planning their next winter escape are beginning to look beyond the crowded valleys of the Alps and towards a quieter corner of central Sweden. Sälen, long beloved by Swedish and Norwegian families, is rapidly emerging as one of Europe’s most intriguing ski alternatives for British travellers. With a raft of new and expanded direct flights into nearby Scandinavian Mountains Airport, a compelling mix of value, snow reliability and family friendly comforts, this previously under the radar region is positioning itself as the season’s hidden gem.
A New Flight Map Puts Sälen on the UK Ski Radar
The turning point for Sälen’s UK appeal is happening in the air. Scandinavian Mountains Airport, the modern gateway that sits on the Sweden Norway border, has secured a series of new direct routes that, for the first time, put Sweden’s largest ski area within easy weekend reach of London and other UK departure points. For winter 2024 and 2025, Scandinavian Airlines is running Sunday flights from London Heathrow to Scandinavian Mountains Airport, operating between early February and the end of March to capture the peak ski weeks.
From winter 2025 to 2026, access will ramp up again. Package specialist Crystal Ski Holidays is launching weekly Sunday flights from London Gatwick to Scandinavian Mountains Airport, running from late December through early April. These charter-style services, operated by TUI Airways, are designed specifically around British holiday patterns, with convenient timings for seven night stays in Sälen, nearby Kläppen and Stöten, and across the Norwegian border in Trysil.
Low cost carrier easyJet adds another gear from December 2025. The airline will begin operating weekly Saturday flights from both London Gatwick and Manchester to Scandinavian Mountains Airport throughout the core winter season. It will be the first time a major UK budget airline has flown directly into this corner of Sweden, sharply improving affordability and putting the region firmly on the map for independent travellers and dynamic package builders alike.
Alongside these UK links, the airport is expanding its Nordic and European network with seasonal services from Copenhagen, Aalborg, Brussels, Düsseldorf and other hubs. For British travellers, that growing web of connections translates into more flexible itineraries, easier multi stop trips and increased competition on fares into a destination that only recently felt remote.
Ten Minute Transfers and a Different Kind of Ski Day
One of Sälen’s trump cards is the sheer ease of arrival. From Scandinavian Mountains Airport, the transfer to the closest slopes at Hundfjället in the Sälen system can be as little as ten minutes by road. Other major local resorts, including Stöten and Kläppen, typically sit within an hour’s drive. For comparison, UK skiers arriving into Alpine gateways such as Geneva, Innsbruck or Milan often face transfers of two to three hours or more to reach headline French, Swiss or Italian resorts.
Short, well organised transfers do more than just save time. They can make the difference between an exhausting travel day with young children and a genuinely relaxed arrival. Buses, taxis and hire cars are all based directly outside the terminal, and the airport’s compact design means minimal queuing and walking. For families, that can be the decisive factor in choosing Sälen over a more familiar Alpine name, particularly when travelling with bulky gear or pushchairs.
Once in resort, the rhythm of a day on the slopes also feels subtly different from much of the Alps. Sälen’s skiing is spread across several interconnected areas that prioritise gentle gradients, wide pistes and family friendly infrastructure. Instead of racing for first lifts to beat the crowds, many visitors find themselves easing into late morning starts, dropping in and out of well heated cafés and returning to village centres where everything from supermarkets to ski rental is within a short walk or shuttle ride.
For UK travellers used to sprawling Alpine towns and packed lift queues in peak weeks, that smaller scale and calmer tempo is proving increasingly attractive. With lift systems built around high volume domestic demand but still modest foreign visitor numbers, Sälen can offer the reassuring comfort of a large, well organised resort without the intensity of Europe’s most hyped names.
Snow Reliability in an Era of Uncertain Winters
As climate variability reshapes European winters, snow reliability is becoming a central concern for British skiers spending hard earned money on a single annual trip. While Sälen is not as high as some Alpine giants, its continental climate, latitude and substantial investment in snowmaking provide a strong safety net for the core December to April season.
The broader Sälen area and neighbouring Swedish resorts boast well over 180 groomed pistes between them, supported by extensive modern snowmaking. Kläppen, one of the area’s key resorts and a favourite for families and snowboarders, operates with a formal snow guarantee, promising a defined minimum standard of open slopes throughout the main season. This level of commitment is increasingly reassuring for travellers who have watched green valley floors or rain soaked lower runs in parts of the Alps during recent mild Decembers.
While no ski destination can claim total immunity from warm spells, Scandinavia has, in recent seasons, generally seen more stable winter conditions than some lower lying Alpine regions. The combination of colder average temperatures, careful slope management and a cultural expectation of outdoor winter life means resorts are structured around maximising on snow reliability, from early season openings to late spring skiing where conditions permit.
For UK visitors, the psychological comfort of flying further north into what feels like a genuine winter environment is significant. Long, cold nights, reliable frost, and forests heavy with snow help deliver the archetypal winter holiday atmosphere that some lower Alpine valleys increasingly struggle to guarantee at Christmas and New Year.
Value, Currency Shifts and the Cost of a Week on Snow
Another factor driving interest in Sälen is the changing economics of a ski week. As the British pound has weakened against the euro, prices in many of the Alps’ marquee resorts have climbed steadily in sterling terms. Reports tracking the cost of ski passes, tuition, equipment hire and on mountain food and drink show average increases for 2025 compared with the previous season in leading eurozone destinations, squeezing household budgets at a time when UK cost of living pressures remain high.
Sweden, which uses the krona rather than the euro, offers a subtly different equation. While it is not a low cost destination in absolute terms, package pricing into Sälen has become increasingly competitive once flights, transfers and lift passes are bundled together. Operators targeting UK families have been negotiating rates with local partners and promoting inclusive deals that mitigate on the ground expenses, from childcare to rental equipment.
For independent travellers using the new easyJet routes, the season ahead offers an opportunity to experiment with alternative patterns of spending. Self catering chalets, apartments and cabins are common in Sälen, allowing visitors to trade some restaurant meals for supermarket shopping, while still enjoying the occasional treat at one of the area’s well regarded restaurants. Lift passes, particularly for younger children, can compare favourably with headline prices at some flagship Alpine areas.
Crucially, the perception of value is as much about what a destination delivers as what it costs. British holidaymakers increasingly factor in shorter queues, calmer slopes, strong ski schools and a feeling of space when evaluating whether a trip justified its price. In that broader sense, Sälen’s blend of quality infrastructure and less pressured atmosphere is helping it stand out against Alpine resorts that can feel overcrowded in February half term or Easter weeks.
Family Friendly Slopes and Scandinavian Ease
Sälen has, for decades, been a byword for family skiing in Sweden, and that heritage is immediately apparent on the mountain. The terrain is predominantly gentle to mid gradient, with long, forgiving runs that allow beginners and intermediates to build confidence without constant exposure to steep pitches or narrow corridors. Children’s areas, snow parks and themed slopes are integrated into the lift network so that mixed ability groups can stay together for much of the day.
English is widely spoken at ski schools, rental shops and in hospitality venues, and British operators report strong feedback on the patience and professionalism of Swedish instructors. For parents anxious about first turns for younger skiers, that clear communication and calm teaching style is a powerful selling point. Ski schools are used to handling high volumes of domestic children and apply structured, play based progression that translates well across cultures.
Off the slopes, Scandinavian attitudes to family life shape everything from restaurant opening hours to accommodation layouts. Many hotels and lodges in Sälen offer interconnecting rooms, family suites and spacious communal lounges, alongside dedicated play corners and child friendly menus. Evening entertainment tends to be low key, centred on cosy bars, board games, indoor pools and spa areas rather than late night clubs, which appeals to parents looking for a restful atmosphere rather than an après ski scene.
The net effect is a resort culture in which families feel not merely tolerated, but actively catered for. For UK skiers who have struggled with crowded ski schools, noisy nightlife under their windows or a sense that big Alpine resorts are skewed toward adults and advanced riders, Sälen’s balance can feel refreshingly inclusive.
Beyond Skiing: Winter Adventures and Swedish Atmosphere
While downhill skiing remains the main draw, Sälen and its neighbours are increasingly marketing a broader menu of winter experiences that resonates with British travellers seeking more varied holidays. Dog sledding excursions, guided snowmobile tours, cross country skiing through silent forests and snowshoe hikes under clear night skies are all widely available, often bookable through hotels or via UK tour operators as part of package deals.
The region’s culinary scene is another asset. Restaurants such as Lammet & Grisen, Frö and Gammelgården have become small scale attractions in their own right, showcasing Nordic flavours through local game, fish, root vegetables and berries. Many visitors now structure at least one evening of their week around a special dinner, combining rustic Swedish atmosphere with contemporary cooking and a strong focus on provenance and sustainability.
That sense of place extends into the resorts’ architectural and interior design. Wood dominated buildings, candlelit lounges, reindeer skins draped over chairs and simple, elegant Scandinavian furniture give many spaces in Sälen an unmistakably Nordic character. For travellers accustomed to more generic international hotel environments, those details help root the experience in Swedish culture.
Together, these elements turn a week in Sälen into more than a straightforward ski holiday. British guests frequently report returning home with as many memories of husky rides at dusk, lake saunas and evenings around open fires as of particular pistes or lifts. That depth of experience is one reason repeat visitation to Scandinavian resorts is quietly rising among a cohort of UK travellers seeking something different from the traditional Alpine template.
Sustainability, Modern Airports and the Future of Nordic Ski Tourism
Environmental considerations are playing an increasing role in destination choice for many British travellers, particularly younger skiers and families. Scandinavian Mountains Airport, which opened shortly before the pandemic, was designed with energy efficiency and future focused technology in mind, including one of the world’s first fully remote controlled air traffic control towers. Its compact footprint, modern insulation and efficient ground operations support a broader Swedish emphasis on low impact infrastructure.
Regional carriers and airports in Sweden are also investing in measures to reduce aviation emissions over time, from the use of more efficient aircraft types to participation in trials for sustainable aviation fuels on selected routes. While air travel remains a carbon intensive activity, some UK travellers view the combination of modern aviation practices and the relatively short two to three hour flight time from Britain to the Scandinavian Mountains as a more acceptable compromise than long haul journeys in search of snow.
On the ground, Sälen’s ski areas have invested heavily in energy efficient snowmaking, lift systems and building technologies. Many properties promote the use of renewable electricity and encourage guests to adopt simple measures such as drying clothes in designated rooms rather than leaving windows open. Public transport links within and between the resorts are robust, reducing the need for private car use during a stay.
As climate and sustainability concerns increasingly shape how ski tourism evolves, Nordic destinations that combine modern infrastructure, serious winter conditions and a culture of environmental awareness are likely to gain attention. Sälen, supported by its new direct connectivity to the UK, appears well placed to ride that wave, particularly among travellers seeking to balance their love of snow sports with a desire to make more responsible choices.
Will Sälen Rival the Alps for British Skiers?
The arrival of multiple new direct flights from the UK does not mean Sälen will suddenly overtake classic Alpine resorts in visitor numbers or name recognition. The Alps remain unmatched in vertical drop, high altitude terrain and the sheer variety of linked areas. For advanced skiers craving long, steep descents or serious off piste challenges, Scandinavian resorts are likely to remain an occasional alternative rather than a full replacement.
Yet for a large and growing segment of the British market, particularly families with school age children and mixed ability groups, Sälen now ticks many key boxes. Flight times are competitive, transfers are short, English is widely spoken, and the atmosphere on and off the mountain is relaxed and welcoming. Factor in improving value, strong snow management and the chance to experience a distinctly Swedish take on winter, and the appeal becomes clear.
As the first Crystal Ski Holidays services from Gatwick and the easyJet routes from London and Manchester bed in, British skiers will for the first time have a spectrum of mainstream options into Sweden’s largest ski area. If early interest is any indication, Sälen’s profile among UK travellers is set to rise sharply over the next few seasons.
For now, though, it remains what many seasoned Scandinavia fans hope it will stay for a little longer: a hidden gem. Those willing to look beyond the familiar silhouettes of the Alps may find that their most memorable ski week of the coming winters unfolds not in France, Austria or Italy, but among the snow laden forests and gentle peaks of central Sweden, a ten minute transfer from a quietly revolutionary little airport on the border of two Nordic nations.