Serving as a gateway to Sweden’s largest ski area, Sälen is a picturesque Swedish village on the banks of the Västerdalälven River. It’s surrounded by alpine resorts that were first established in the 1930s and are connected to one another by ski lifts.
If you’re visiting in the winter months, you can take advantage of Sälen’s six different ski areas, including Stöten, Tandådalen and Hundfjället. Hit the slopes of Lindvallen, test your skills in Kläppen’s snow park or coincide your visit with the Vasaloppet ski race. Extending for 90 kilometres, it’s the longest and oldest cross-country ski race in the world.
On the opposite bank of the Västerdalälven River from Sälen is Olnispagården, a historic farmstead established in the 16th century. It’s open to the public as a museum illustrating how people lived and worked in the region in times gone by. During the summer months, it hosts a range of cultural events.
Getting there
Sälen is around 30 minutes’ drive from Scandinavian Mountains Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect from Mora to Sälen and the village is small enough to explore on foot.