Ski Sweden

Why? Well, there’s the fact that the season runs well into May thanks to the northerly longitude of the ski resorts and the extensive daylight hours as summer approaches. Then there are the slick hotels, the excellent (if expensive) nightlife, the delicious food, the slick service, the amazing array of alternative activities such as dog-sledding and, last but by no means least, the throngs of drop dead gorgeous young Swedes swanning around. The skiing’s not bad either.

We at Original Travel particularly recommend two completely contrasting Swedish resorts – Riksgransen and Åre. Riksgransen is probably best suited to the skier who’s bored of conventional piste skiing and wants a post-Alpine season hit, while Åre feels like stepping into a slick North American resort, but just a few hours travel time away from the UK.

Deep in the Arctic Circle, Riksgransen is Europe’s northernmost ski resort, where skiing continues well into June, and the midnight sun barely sets. Right on the border with Norway (Riksgransen means ‘border town’), skiing here starts in February, although there is snow long before then, just a distinct lack of daylight.

There are plenty of runs for the less advanced skier, but Riksgransen really prides itself on the quality of its off-piste skiing in often knee-deep powder. The heli-skiing is extensive, with numerous peaks within easy reach of the resort. All the guides are expertly trained, and the pilots know the surrounding area intimately. As many as five peaks can be attempted in one day.

As midsummer approaches, the sun barely drops below the horizon, and on some nights in late May and even early June the lift system is open until one o’clock in the morning. The surrounding wilderness also allows for alternative activities such as cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing. In addition, the world famous Ice Hotel is just over two hour’s drive away.

Åre is a completely different beast, populated by weekending and uber-glamorous Stockholmers here as much for the nightlife as the skiing. Not that the skiing should be sniffed at - there is something for everyone here, and the Alpine World Championships schussed into town recently for a slalom event.

Away from the main slopes around 4,700ft Mount Åreskutan there is also some extremely picturesque forest skiing down to a vast frozen lake. The alternative activities, such as dog-sledding, snowmobiling and meeting the indigenous Saami people are excellent and no-one should leave without experiencing that most Swedish of traditions, the sauna and hot tub combo.