Riksgransen, a small ski resort village located 200 km above the Arctic Circle, borders Norway (where heliskiing is not permitted) and lies 500 metres above sea level. The heliski region which is in the heart of Swedish Lapland consists of a total area of 60,000 square km and includes more than a hundred peaks. All in all it’s about the size of Austria.
Affordable Heliskiing in Riksgransen Sweden
The heliski season in Riksgränsen runs every fine-weather day from March to the end of May.
The average temperature in the mountains in March and April is about 10°C below zero ensuring high quality powder snow is the typical condition for early spring skiing and boarding. By May, when there is almost 24-hour sunlight, the snow begins to transform to spring corn.
An example of heliski rates for 2010 includes the most popular option of three heliski lifts within the Riksgransen area, for 2,550 Swedish kroner (US$ 348) per person. Expect 700 to 1,000 vertical metres of skiing or snowboarding each run. Single runs and week packages are also possible.
A group consists of a maximum of five skiers per guide. Besides normal skiing equipment for cold conditions it’s recommended to bring a helmet and ski goggles since a lot of snow is flying around from the helicopter rotor wash.
A backpack and avalanche safety equipment are provided by the guide.
Skiing Ability for Heliskiing in Riksgransen Sweden
The heliski terrain varies from easy to difficult in the Riksgransen area. Heliskiing is suited to skiers or snowboarders who are confident on red and black runs. To explore the more remote areas such as Mårma or Kebnekaise off-piste skiing experience is required.
Skiing Kebnekaise Sweden’s Highest Mountain
Peaks typically skied in the Riksgransen range include: Vassecohokka, Vuiddasriida and Gorsacohkka which possess traditional Sami names. Sami are the indigenous people of Northern Europe (including Sweden, Norway, Finland and parts of Russia). They have a strong influence on the local culture and in this part of Sweden many have a semi-nomadic livelihood that involves reindeer herding.
Reindeer herds traversing the mountains may be spotted during heliski runs.
Kebnekaise or in Sami, Giebnegáisi, meaning "Cauldron Crest" is a twin-peaked mountain with its highest summit rising to 2,104 metres (6,900 ft) – Sweden’s highest mountain. In good conditions it is possible for skiers with solid off-piste experience to ski from the very top. Flight time by helicopter from Riksgransen is about half an hour. According to 2010 prices the cost of five runs in the Kebnekaise area is 5,500 SEK (US$750) per person.
Riksgransen Ski Resort and Activities
On days when the helicopters are grounded due to inclement weather alternative activities include skiing at the Riksgransen ski field — a modest resort offering mainly intermediate runs with considerable off-piste terrain of interest to more advanced skiers/boarders. Dog sledding tours, snowmobile safaris, ice fishing and cross-country skiing are further options. For those interested in leisurely indoor recreation or to ease weary muscles après ski, the Riksgransen Spa offers massage and therapeutic treatments, a pool, bubble bath, and saunas with views across the mountains.
The Swedish mountains or “fjallen” surrounding Riksgransen are also shared by ski tourers and snowmobile enthusiasts.
How to Get to Riksgransen Sweden
The most convenient means of getting to Riksgransen is to fly to Kiruna’s domestic airport, via Stockholm, and take the bus or taxi from there or train from the city of Kiruna.
An overnight train taking 18 hours from Stockholm provides an alternative transport option, with a train station located in the midst of the Riksgransen ski resort.
Heliskiing Riksgransen caters for most budgets and abilities. A group of five people can take a single guided heliski run, a one-off luxury experience or, at the other end of the spectrum, powder enthusiasts with big back pockets can sign in for a week long package that allows them to ski all day and reach the highest mountain in Sweden.
Another article in this series on heliskiing is Affordable Heliskiing in New Zealand.
