Sälen is more than Sweden's most popular ski resort. Here, nature meets culture, silence meets adventure, and the shifting mountains create space for experiences far beyond the slopes. All year round, these mountains offer activities to suit different senses - from those seeking pulse-raising adventure to those longing for stillness and presence.
Whether you're a family planning a week of sports holidays, a couple looking for privacy or a corporate group looking to build community - Sälen offers experiences that both challenge and relax. Here we think beyond the slopes and guide you through activities that make your stay complete.
Winter activities in Sälen outside of skiing
Winter in Sälen is not just about putting on your ski boots and taking the lift up the mountain. For those who want to experience the mountains in a different way, there is a wealth of activities that allow you to get close to nature, feel the sense of speed or simply relax in the warmth.
Dog sledding through silence and wilderness
Few things can compare to the feeling of gliding through the snow, pulled by a team of enthusiastic dogs. Fjälläventyr offers everything from short, family-friendly tours to multi-day adventures to Fulufjället National Park. You will have the opportunity to drive your own team or ride along as a passenger. The dogs are accustomed and safe - and the cuddling afterwards is almost as memorable as the trip itself.
There is something special about the silent journey through the winter landscape. No engines, no noise. Just the creaking of the snow, the breath of the dogs and the vastness of the mountains.
Snowmobile experiences for the whole family
For those looking for more speed and action, there are mini scooters - small, easy-to-maneuver vehicles that work for both children and adults. On a fenced-in track, you can test your way along with guides who go through everything carefully before starting. It's an experience that mixes excitement with safety.
Bath, spa and recovery
After a day in the cold, there's nothing better than warming your body in a sauna or pool. The Experium offers both adventure pools for children and calmer spa areas for adults. Here you can unwind, relax your muscles and enjoy the gentle warmth that only a real mountain sauna can provide.
The feeling of going from a hot sauna to the chilly outdoor air - or even a dip in the snow - is both refreshing and liberating. It's winter for real.
Explore our winter experiences
From dog sledding to spas, discover activities to complement your stay in the mountains.
Summer and autumn in Sälen - the mountains in a different way
When the snow melts, the Sälen mountains turn into something else entirely. Green hillsides, flowering meadows and trails winding through the wilderness. Summer and autumn offer a quieter, more contemplative side to the mountains - perfect for those who want to hike, cycle or just be.
Hiking for all levels
From short family-friendly trails to multi-day hikes along the King's Trail, there are options for both beginners and experienced hikers. The air is clean, the views are wide, and the silence is almost overwhelming in a good way. Bring a packed lunch, stop at a stream and let the mountains speak for themselves.
The summer midnight sun makes for long days. You'll have time to hike early and sit by the campfire late. Autumn, on the other hand, paints the landscape in reds and yellows - a riot of colour worth the journey in itself.
Cycling and mountain biking
Sälen has become increasingly known for its cycling trails. Flow trails, pump tracks and technical trails attract both families and more experienced cyclists. Skistar has expanded its summer initiatives and offers lift-served cycling where you can enjoy the downhills without pedalling your way up the mountain first.
Fishing, canoeing and SUP
The lakes around Sälen are peaceful and inviting. Fish for pike or trout from shore or boat. Canoe at dawn when the fog is heavy over the water. Try stand up paddleboarding if you want to challenge your balance while enjoying the view.
These are activities that require nothing more than attendance - and that reward you with memories that last long after the journey home.
Want to know more about what Sälen offers in all seasons? Read more about Sälen all year round and discover how the character of the mountains changes with the seasons. For those who are particularly attracted to the summer months, there is a separate guide on summer in Sälen.
Activities for families, couples and groups
Choosing the right activities is about understanding who you are as a family travelling together. A family with children is looking for security and variety. A couple may want time to themselves in beautiful surroundings. A group of friends longs for something to remember together. The Sälen has room for all these needs.
Child-friendly experiences that create memories
Children love the dogs. They love sledging. They love swimming and playing indoors when the weather is greyer. The Sälen has activities built for the family - with safety, simplicity and fun at the centre.
Experium offers a water park with slides and a play pool. Fjälläventyr has family-friendly dog sledding tours where children can pet and talk to the dogs before and after the ride. Many of the hiking trails are just long enough for little legs - and the reward of waffles at the mountain hut makes the last few metres easier.
For couples seeking privacy
Sometimes it's about just being together. A morning walk in the silence. An evening sauna with a view of the mountains. A dinner by an open fire where no one else disturbs.
Sälen offers rooms for both adventure and relaxation. Take a guided snowshoe hike under the stars. Book a private spa experience. Or find your own spot by a lake where no one else is - just the two of you and nature.
Groups and friends - together in the mountains
Whether it's a group of friends, a family reunion or an annual tradition, Sälen is a place where you can easily find activities that work for everyone. Cycle together on the summer trails. Try out mini scooters in teams. Book a joint dog sledding trip where you take turns driving.
The community is strengthened when you experience something together. And afterwards, there are always the restaurants, campfires and cosy cabins to gather in.
Find the right activities for your family
We've gathered experiences suitable for children of all ages - safe, fun and memorable.
Sälen as a business and group travel destination
More and more companies are discovering the value of taking their team to the mountains. Away from the office, away from the routines - and into an environment where new thoughts are given space and relationships are strengthened. Sälen offers both infrastructure and experiences that make it easy to combine work with activity.
Teambuilding that matters
Navigating a dog team through the forest together requires co-operation. Cycling a long distance in a group builds trust. Standing together at the summit after a hike creates shared pride. These are activities that don't just entertain - they reinforce what you want to build as an organisation.
Sälen has guides and partners who are used to corporate groups. They know how to create experiences that both challenge and include. And they know how to balance structure with freedom.
Conference with the mountains as a backdrop
Meetings are more inspiring when the environment is different. Here you can combine strategy days with activities that energise and give perspective. A morning walk before breakfast. An afternoon session in the sauna. A joint dinner where the focus is on the food, the conversation and the company.
Sälen is not a conference centre in the traditional sense. It is a place where work and experience merge in a more natural way.
Privacy and service in focus
When you come here as a group, you want to know that everything is well thought out. That the logistics work. That the food is of a high standard. That there is room for both community and private time.
At Sälengodset, we are used to looking after corporate groups with high expectations. We make sure your stay is the exclusive experience you expect - without compromise.
Plan your next corporate event
Discover how we combine professional service with team-building activities.
How to plan the right activities in Sälen
There is no right or wrong way to choose activities - but there are ways to make planning easier and more accurate. By thinking through a few basic questions, you can create a holiday that suits your needs and expectations.
Start from who you are
Who are you travelling with? Children who need variety or adults who want deeper experiences? Are you an active group or do you prefer quieter days? The answers to these questions will determine which activities feel right.
A family with children may want to mix skiing with swimming and dog sledding. A couple may want to hike, sauna and eat well. A business group needs structure, challenge and community. When you know what you are looking for, the choice becomes clearer.
Adapt to the season and weather
Sälen changes with the seasons. Winter activities require snow and cold - summer offers completely different opportunities. Have a plan A but also a plan B in case the weather changes. Indoor activities such as a spa, bowling or going to a restaurant always work as a complement.
And remember - rain in the mountains can be as beautiful as sunshine if you're dressed and set up right.
Book in good time
Popular activities such as dog sledding and guided tours often book up in advance, especially in high season. It's a good idea to plan your days before you arrive so that you know what you want to do is available. Flexibility is good - but some structure gives you peace of mind.
If you want to delve deeper into what there actually is to do beyond the obvious, our guide on activities in Sälen other than skiing - it provides concrete tips and answers to frequently asked questions.
Choose the right accommodation as a base
Your accommodation is the centre of your stay. Staying centrally close to activities, lifts and services makes your days easier to plan. You'll save time, have more room for spontaneity and can return home to warmth and comfort at the end of the day.
At Sälengodset, we offer cottages and apartments that are close to everything - yet with a sense of privacy and exclusivity. Every detail is thought out to make you feel cared for from arrival to departure.
Want to see our range of accommodation? Explore our houses in Sälen or read more about what it means to Rent a holiday home in Sälen with us.
Book your accommodation - the start of a successful stay
Discover our thoughtfully designed cottages and apartments close to both nature and activities.
Doing in Sälen is not just about filling your days with activities. It's about striking the right balance between adventure and rest, between community and seclusion, between adventure and recovery. Here in the mountains, there is room for everything - all year round.
Whether you're looking for winter dog sledding adventures, summer hikes in green expanses or a team-building corporate trip, Sälen welcomes you with open arms and endless possibilities. At Sälengodset, we're here to make sure every detail is just as you wish. Welcome home to the mountains.