Cross country skiing in Dalarna
Cross-country skiing is a popular pastime in Dalarna and If you’ve never tried cross-country skiing, try out one of the well-prepared and marked trails and you may well swap your alpine skis for nordic ones. The slower pace means there’s time to take in your spectacular surroundings and it’s also excellent exercise! You’ll find plenty of well-prepared and well-marked cross-country tracks throughout the province. Some are close to urban areas while others wind their way through deep forests and across mountain ranges.
On the right track
Most cross-country trails start from one central point and there are usually shorter and longer trail options. Trails are generally from 2.5 km up to 15 km. Some are lit so you can go skiing in the evenings.
Some great spots
Falun/Lugnet– At Lugnet on the outskirts of Falun you get to ski in the tracks of champions. Every year all the world´s best cross-country skiers and some 20 000 spectators come to the Svenska Skidspelen for the FIS World Cup cross-country competitions. We’re talking world-class trails of varying length and difficulty and plenty of hills and bends.
If you want to experience skiing history and the breathtaking view that meets ski jumpers before they set off, a visit to Lugnet’s Ski Museum is a must. More daring visitors can try out the ski-jump simulator.
Orsa Grönklitt is one of the best places in Sweden for cross-country skiing. The combination of excellent, varied trails in Grönklitt, Fryksås and Koppången as well as mostly good snow-conditions from November to April makes it the perfect skiing experience for all ages.
Gyllbergen - This wilderness recreation area south of Borlänge is the place to come to enjoy skiing at your own pace, while enjoying the natural surroundings. Grill to your heart’s delight at the barbecue sites along the route, but you’ll need to bring food with you as there are no shops out here. A large number of trails varying in length and quality.
Skiing in the winter mountains
Head off on cross-country skis to explore the mountains is one of the classic Scandinavian ways of enjoying the great outdoors. We tend to do it in the spring when the weather is warmer but there’s still plenty of snow.
For your own safety make sure you leave a description of your route at your accommodation or nearest ski centre before setting off.
Idre Fjäll - The best way to experience Idre’s beautiful alpine environment up close is on cross-country skis. There are masses of excellent tracks as well as marked routes that take you right up into the mountains. Breathe in and enjoy the peace and beauty! Choose a route length and ability level to suit you and head out on an exhilarating adventure. Enjoy lunch in a waffle hut, or take your own packed lunch with you and eat in one of the mountain shelters.
Sälenfjällen - There are plenty of cross-country trails that start out from the various Sälenfjällen ski resorts. Take the ski lift to reach the bare fells above the treeline before setting off on a glorious day’s cross-country skiing. One popular destination is Hemfjällstugan, where they serve waffles and freshly-brewed coffee. You can reach it on skis from the Högfjälls-hotellet area.
Vasaloppet has since the beginning in 1922 had more than a million people skiing the world´s longest ski race. But the competition actually has its origins more than 400 years ago, with one single participant. The race follows the route along which the Swedish king Gustav Vasa fled from the Danish king’s soldiers in 1520.
Vasaloppet is the world’s oldest and largest ski race.
The week around Vasaloppet is a huge party with around 67 000 participants from some sixty countries and it takes place in February-March with ten different races for both keen amateurs and elite skiers alike with distances ranging from 9km to 90km.
In 2016 The new race "Nattvasan" was introduced. The 90km long race route is skied at night with head torches in teams of two.
Tackling the 90km challenge requires rigorous training, careful preparation and, not least, being quick off the mark when it comes to registering for the race. The 2019 90km Vasaloppet race was fully booked just a few hours after registration opened. The Vasaloppet arena is open all year round.
Experience the magical wilderness in Grövelsjöfjällen
In the northernmost corner of Dalarna, where the public road comes to an end, the mountains stretch out endlessly in front of you. Thick layers of snow cover the landscape like sand dunes in the desert. There is something truly magical about Grövelsjön (A2). And the feeling stays with you long after you return home, like the memories of the silence and fresh snow under your skis.
Spend wonderful days exploring the unspoiled natural surroundings, stopping off for hot chocolate and mountain-inspired meals as organic and locally-sourced as possible. Dinner of freshly-caught char or moose goulash eaten by the fireside after a long day on skis is a culinary and sensory experience that’s hard to beat.
The pristine mountain air ensures a sound night’s sleep at any of Grövelsjöfjällen’s authentic accommodation options. Stay in simple, cosy cabins, youth hostels or a classic four-star mountain hotel.
