Wintery skiing experiences in West Sweden
Swedish winter means frosty tree tops, hot chocolate with freshly baked cinnamon swirls – and skiing, of course. Is there a better way to spend a chilly winter day than going full speed down a ski slope, rosy-cheeked, and with a thrilling sense of danger? The only possible way to beat this would be a quiet trip along freshly prepared skiing trails, surrounded by beautiful forests and ice-covered lakes.
Whether you prefer downhill or cross-country, you don’t have to travel very far north to find good skiing opportunities. Below are three particularly popular ski resorts in West Sweden. All are easily reached from Gothenburg.
Lassalyckan and Ski Center, Ulricehamn – a World Cup arena
With its hilly terrain and guaranteed snow in winter, Ulricehamn has become one of the best, and most popular, sites for winter sports in the south of Sweden. Whether you are a complete beginner, trying slalom for the first time, want to improve your cross-country technique, or take the children on their first skiing holiday, Ulricehamn’s two complete winter sport establishments, only an hour from Gothenburg, have everything you need.
Lassalyckan located just south-west of Ulricehamn, is an official centre for the world’s oldest and biggest ski marathon, Vasaloppet. Since 2017, this is also a venue for the Cross-Country World Cup. When weather conditions are favourable, the resort offers tracks of 5, 10 or 15 kilometres, of varying difficulty; from those suitable for inexperienced skiers, to really tough trails that are both physically and technically demanding. The state of the art artificial snow system, one of the biggest in Sweden, makes the winter last even longer and provides a track of almost 10 kilometres. As the trail is lit up, it can also be used in the evenings, for peaceful sessions, where all you hear is the sound of the poles entering the snow and your own breathing.
Photographer: Roger Borgelid
Ulricehamn Ski Center, north of Ulricehamn, has seven lifts and eight slopes of varying difficulty, as well as a terrain park with several jumps, rails and boxes. The snow cannons guarantee good coverage even when the weather is milder. The gentle children’s slope lets younger skiers practice their skills, before returning to the top using their own lift. We all have to start somewhere, and skiing is no exception. If you would like to learn the basics or improve your skiing technique, Ulricehamn Ski Center has the best ski school in West Sweden, which caters for both children and adults. Ulricehamn Ski Center is run by the multi-award winning Branäs Group, known for its appealing and family-friendly resorts.
Skiing is hard work, so why not take some time out to recharge your batteries in the restaurant, one of the refuges, or the BBQ area by the terrain park.
Only five minutes from the two ski centres is the small town of Ulricehamn, with shopping streets, cosy coffee shops, and a breathtakingly beautiful promenade along the shores of Lake Åsunden. Why not combine skiing with 10-pin bowling, swimming or horseback riding? There are plenty of places to stay in the surrounding area, at everything from elegant country houses and hotels, to simpler hostels and holiday villages.
Mösseberg, Falköping – perfect for families with young children
Are you and your family looking for a quiet and pleasant place to spend some time this winter? Mösseberg’s ski centre, Falköping Alpin, is one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in West Sweden, irrespective of whether you prefer downhill skiing or cross-country. It is located 90 minutes from Gothenburg.
Photographer: Johan Lindwert
On the slopes of Mösseberg Mountain, with views over the picturesque small town of Falköping, are four ski lifts and the same number of slopes, all with snow machines. The peaceful surroundings and good range of services nearby makes Mösseberg the perfect choice for families with younger children. Improve your technique on the gentle nursery slope, or join the ski school. All the slopes are lit, so you can keep skiing even after dark. If you prefer cross-country skiing, there are several lit tracks to choose from, one of which has artificial snow and is approximately 2 kilometres long. In total, there are approximately 25 kilometres of tracks of different length and difficulty, from gently undulating to fairly hilly.
There are a number of places where you can calm frost-bitten cheeks and rumbling tummies. Enjoy a coffee at Café Snöflingan, next to the children’s slope. Another option is to bring a picnic and enjoy it in the resort’s refuge.
Only 250 metres from the highest point of the Mösseberg Slope is Mösseberg’s Camping and Holiday Village – a comfortable place to stay, close enough to the slope that you can make the most of the skiing opportunities. The mountain also has a good recreational area. If you prefer to combine outdoor winter pursuits with a more luxurious type of accommodation, we recommend Hotel Falköping or Mössebergs Kurort, which also offers a relaxing spa area. A visit to Falbygdens Osteria, every cheese-lover’s paradise, makes a great afternoon out.
Billingen, Skövde – a mountain of experiences
The mountain of Billingen in Skövde is a genuine Swedish winter wonderland, with everything you need to give the entire family an unforgettable holiday. Billingen is located in the heart of West Sweden, less than two hours from Gothenburg.
Whatever your preference when it comes to winter holidays, Skövde has everything you could possibly wish for. The 400-metre long slope Billingebacken, complete with a fun park for snowboarding and skiing, offers challenging downhill skiing both for complete beginners and the more experienced. Two separate lifts transport you up onto the hill, and once you reach the top, you have access to no less than 40 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails of varying character, 4 kilometres of which is a lit artificial snow track. Its high quality training facilities has made this area an official centre for the historic ski marathon Vasaloppet, and is also reflected in the high-profile names in the town’s Hall of Fame. One example is the multiple Olympic Champion, Marcus Hellner, who took some of his earliest pole strokes along Billingen’s partially hilly ski trails.
Photographer: Tuana Aziz
Billingen also offers the opportunity to practice pirouettes or play ice-hockey at the outdoor ice rink. Or why not relive your childhood on one of the fun toboggan slopes? After a long day of winter sports, barbeque your own supper at one of the shelters or enjoy a delicious dinner at Restaurant Billingehus.
There are a number of places to stay right next to the outdoor recreation area. Choose a comfortable holiday cottage or a more luxurious stay at First Hotel Billingehus, with offers a spa, gym, and a breakfast buffet with views of Billingebacken and the whole of Skövde.
When frozen feet need a rest from ski boots and ice-skates, why not take the family to Balthazar Science Center, which offers brain-teasing experiences for all ages, or visit Arena Skövde, which has ten-pin bowling and swimming pools, as well as Sweden’s best adventure pool with several slides, a wave pool, and a water rapid.
