One of the features of a Northern Scandinavia ski vacation is the unique quality of light and landscape. The midnight sun and Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are two special natural phenomena that can be experienced in Swedish Lapland. For around 100 days from late May the sun never truly sets and the spectacle of the Northern lights can be observed between September and April on clear polar nights. Reflection off the snow and minimal light pollution adds to the effect.
Riksgransen, a relaxed century-old ski centre with a breathtaking setting in the Norrbotten region of Sweden, 200km North of the Arctic Circle, provides the perfect location to experience these natural light displays.
Skiing and Snowboarding in Riksgransen
The summit of Riksgransfjallet (the top of the Riksgransen ski field) is 909 meters (2,980 feet) and provides 387 meters (1,270 feet) of vertical descent. The moderately sized ski resort offers 104 acres of terrain, over 34 pistes, with a total length of 24 km (15 miles).
Off-piste skiing is a big part of Riksgränsen, but there are numerous groomed trails for all ski levels. Between the groomed trails and lifts, there is moderate off-piste for those who want to try it for the first time.
Due to the northerly latitude of Riksgransen and often sub-zero spring temperatures, winter powder snow conditions are common throughout April. By May, spring conditions usually set in.
- Riksgransen Ski Resort is open daily from mid-February to the end of May, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. These dates vary each season depending on conditions.
- Based on 2010 prices a single day lift ticket costs SEK310 (US$43).
- Night skiing is possible for the last two weeks of May, Tuesday and Friday, 10:00 p.m. to 00:30 a.m.
- Conditions permitting the resort will also open for the Swedish Mid-Summer weekend (June 22nd) widely celebrated in Sweden.
- Alternative ski resorts within 130 km of Riksgransen of various sizes include Narvik in Norway, Mount Nuolja at Abisko, Björkliden and a tiny hill in Kiruna.
Ski touring in the surrounding Swedish Alps, cross country skiing across lake Vássejávri and heli skiing are alternative ski options.
Non-Skiing Activities and Recreation in Northern Sweden
Dog-sled tours, snow mobile safaris and ice-fishing are among the non-skiing snow and ice activities.
Bad weather activities include visits to:
The Riksgransen Spa facility including massage and therapeutic treatments, a pool, poolside bar, hot tubs, and saunas with views across the mountains and lake Vássejávri.
Kiruna. The most Northern city in Sweden, 132 km from Riksgransen, was purpose built a century ago to accommodate workers on the highly profitable, largest iron ore mine in the world. The visitors’ mine – with a café, machinery, cinema and museum – is situated 540 meters under the ground. Daily tours can be booked from Kiruna Lappland Tourist office.
Esrange Space and Rocket Base located 40 km from Kiruna is a centre for European space research. They offer guided tours providing information on the northern lights, rocket launches and micro gravitation.
The Ice Hotel is located in Jukkasjärvi, 17 km from Kiruna. As the world’s largest hotel, made out of thousands of tonnes of snow and ice and rebuilt every winter, it is one of Sweden’s most famous landmarks.
Polar Zoo. The most Northern wildlife park in the world, located over the boarder in Norway is an hour's drive from Riksgransen. Polar predators which can be observed up close during feeding time include the lynx, wolf, wolverine and bear.
Accommodation and Restaurants and Après-Ski in Riksgransen
The majority of visitors stay at the Hotel Riksgransen which can hold 500 guests. The more exclusive Metrologen Ski Lodge bar and restaurant, self catering apartments and a youth hostel are also accommodation options. Hotel facilities include reception, dining and après ski entertainment, shop, conference rooms, physician, sports department with ski rental, and the Riksgransen Spa.
There is a small over-priced supermarket in Riksgransen and a larger supermarket offering more competitive rates in the nearby Katterjåkk (an alternative access point to the ski field).
On-mountain restaurants include the Lappis Cafe and Nordalsköket above Katterjåkk.
How to Get to Riksgransen
The most convenient means of getting to Riksgransen is to fly to Kiruna’s domestic airport, via Stockholm, where a number of transport options including car rental and local train, bus, taxi and shuttle bus services are available.
An overnight train taking 18 hours from Stockholm provides an alternative transport option, with a train station located centrally in the Riksgransen ski resort.
Apart from the rolling hills of the Swedish mountains that rise up to Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest peak; the landscape of Lapland is characterised by thousands of lakes, several unspoilt rivers that wend through windswept tundra, swampy ground and miles and miles of mountain birch forest.
Enjoy the hypnotic light and soothing landscape of an Arctic spring and an exotic ski holiday in Northern Sweden where snowmobiling, dog-sledding as well as various ski activities on offer.
