Winter vacations in Sweden

There’s no need to head to the Alps for your snow-fix - Sweden can more than satisfy your needs. Our winter vacations take place in Swedish Lapland, up in the country’s frozen north, where the air is fresh, the skies are bright and the mountains thick with pristine snow. These vacations are all about wildlife, local culture and making the most of the spectacular natural environment through a plethora of winter activities - as well as opportunities to lock eyes on those spectacular Northern Lights.

There are no big downhill ski resorts here, so if you do strap on a pair of skis it will be to whisk across the raw landscape cross-country. Small group trips will make sure you make the most of the mountains and stay safe along the way, with routes and activities adjusted according to weather conditions.

Huskies aren’t the only animals you can see in Swedish Lapland (though being pulled across the frozen landscape by a team of massive dogs is often a highlight of a vacation). Some of the largest, oldest and wildest national parks in northern Europe are located here, and during the winter, reindeer gather in the valleys in search for food, allowing you the chance to watch and photograph these animals in a winter landscape.

On some our winter vacations in Sweden, watching wildlife is just a sideshow, while on others it’s the main attraction. You could, for example, spend your days tracking the largest moose in Europe across sheltered valleys with the help of a local wildlife guide, or work with Sámi herders to spot lynx footprints, snow grouse or Arctic hares, while staying in remote cabins and traditional tented camps.

With little in the way of light pollution and calm weather, northern Sweden offers perfect conditions to catch the Northern Lights shimmering above pristine snow fields or gorgeous reflective lakes. Nights spent in wilderness cabins are the best way to witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon, and most itineraries will include an evening or a stay in a remote area to maximise your chances of seeing them. Bear in mind, though, that everything depends on the weather and the level of solar activity, so catching them is never guaranteed. If at all possible schedule a viewing for the start of your vacation. That way if you don’t see them, there’s always another opportunity.

The best time for a winter vacation in Sweden is from December to March, when conditions for traditional winter activities such as snowshoeing and sledging with huskies are at their best. Christmas and New Year tend to be the busier times to go, while March is much quieter. Temperatures this far north can drop from -2°C to -35°C in a single week in midwinter, and tour operators will often equip you with Arctic outer gear - make sure you check with them beforehand to save buying and packing a lot of stuff you won’t actually need. And ensure that you bring lots of thermal base layers and good winter boots. If you’re going dog sledding, a pair of ski goggles will also come in very handy.

Winter vacations in Sweden usually begin either in Kiruna, which is home to the famous Ice Hotel, or Luleå, gateway to the picturesque Bay of Bothnia. Both towns have airports with regular connecting flights to Stockholm.