Sälen is one of Sweden's most well-known and appreciated mountain areas – but for many planning their first trip here, a natural question arises: is Sälen a town, a village or a mountain area? The answer is as fascinating as the region itself. Sälen is not a town, but a mountain area with several villages and ski resorts that together form one of Scandinavia's largest alpine destinations. Here you will find a unique combination of mountain environment, small-scale village centres, modern ski resorts and a wide range of activities all year round. For those who want to understand the whole picture, it is wise to start with Sälen as your destination – something you can get a perfect overview of on the hub page.
About Sälen which brings together the area's history, geography and experiences. Sälen stretches across several mountains, valleys and villages, and it is precisely this diversity that makes the area so popular. Whether you are travelling here for skiing, hiking, cycling, spa treatments or nature experiences, there is a place to suit your group. To fully understand the area, it is important to distinguish between the mountain area as a whole and the local destinations that are part of it – something we will explore in more depth here.
Sälen – one of Sweden's most visited mountain areas
Sälen is a **mountain area**, not a town. However, there are several villages in the area, with Sälen's village often considered the hub. Here you will find grocery stores, cafés, restaurants, ski rental shops, services and a traditional village environment. If you like to combine mountain experiences with convenience, the village of Sälen can be an excellent starting point, with proximity to both nature and activities in the larger ski resorts. If you want to delve deeper into the different areas of Sälen and how they differ, we recommend the guide to
cottage areas in Sälen, where you can get an overview of everything from mountain-side locations to peaceful forest plots. The area really comes alive in winter, when thousands of visitors travel here for alpine skiing, long cross-country skiing trips and relaxation in the mountain environment. The fact that Sälen has several ski resorts creates great flexibility for both beginners and more experienced skiers. In summer, the same mountains are transformed into a paradise for cycling, hiking and nature experiences – making Sälen a destination to return to all year round.
Several ski areas – one and the same Sälen
Sälen consists of several separate but neighbouring ski areas, which contributes to the confusion surrounding what exactly ”Sälen” is. The best known are
Lindvallen,
Högfjället,
Tandådalen and
Hundfjället. Each area has its own character, slopes, restaurants and range of activities. Lindvallen is known for being family-friendly and offering a wide range of activities and restaurants. Högfjället offers classic surroundings and proximity to both mountain plateaus and cross-country trails. Tandådalen attracts visitors with fast-paced skiing and park skiing, while Hundfjället has made a big impact thanks to both Trollskogen and the modern West Express lift. If you want to get a better overview of all the ski areas, you can visit the page about Sälens.
ski resorts where each area is presented in detail.
Sälens by – the region's central hub
Although Sälen is not a town, the village of Sälen serves as something of a hub. Here you will find services, shopping, restaurants, cafés and starting points for nature experiences. Many people who do not ski choose to stay near the village so they can enjoy both nature and convenience. There are several popular attractions nearby, such as
Hemfjällsstugan which is a classic café with views of the mountains and leads from several different directions.
For many winter travellers, the village is the starting point for their journey to the slopes and cross-country trails. Transport is convenient, with both ski buses and roads connecting all the ski areas. If you are looking for inspiration for things to do in Sälen even when you are not skiing, you can read about
experiences without skis, where you can find tips on activities for the whole group.
The mountains around Sälen – nature that unites the area
Sälen is best known for its easily accessible mountain environment. The mountains are gently sloping, making them perfect for families with children and beginners. But even experienced mountain visitors enjoy themselves here – not least thanks to the extensive network of trails. Hiking is particularly popular in spring, summer and autumn. If you want to explore the most scenic trails, we recommend the guide to
hiking in Sälen, where you will find both beginner-friendly trails and more challenging tours up to the mountain peaks. During the winter months, one of Sweden's largest networks of cross-country trails spreads out across the mountains. Here you will find everything from groomed trails to more nature-oriented tours – you can read more about this on the page about
Cross-country tracks in Sälen. The mountain environment is also a perfect arena for activities such as snowmobile safaris, snowshoe hiking and dog sledding – experiences that make your winter trip memorable even beyond the slopes.
Sälen as a year-round destination
Unlike many other mountain areas, Sälen is just as active in summer as it is in winter. During the summer, visitors are attracted by cycling trails, hiking, paddle tennis, fishing and nature experiences. For families with children, there are lots of activities and excursion destinations – all of which you can find on the page about
family activities.Autumn is another popular season when the mountains change colour, the air becomes clear and hiking is at its best. Here, Sälen offers a genuine mountain experience that feels both secluded and easily accessible. For inspiration on visiting during different seasons, we recommend the hub page.
Sälen all year round, which shows how much the area actually has to offer.
What distinguishes Sälen from a city?
What primarily distinguishes Sälen from a city is the absence of urban-like buildings and the fact that the area is not an administrative community in the legal sense. Instead, Sälen is a **destination**, made up of several mountain areas, small villages and tourist facilities that together form a unique whole. Services are available – but on the mountains' terms. The atmosphere is calm, nature is always present and accommodation is often close to activities. If you want to know more about the area's background and development, you can visit the page about
History of Sälen, where you can gain insight into how it all began and how Sälen emerged as a tourist destination.
Summary – Sälen is a mountain area with many faces
Sälen is not a town – it is a mountain area with several villages, modern ski resorts, scenic locations and a huge range of experiences. Here you can do everything from skiing and cross-country skiing to enjoying spas, cycling, hiking or experiencing the mountains in new ways. Sälen's strength lies in its diversity, accessibility and combination of nature and activities. To find the right accommodation for your group, you can explore all the options at
Our Houses, where you will find exclusive mountain cottages close to everything the area has to offer.
