Should you choose Norway or Sweden for your skiing holiday?

Norway or Sweden for a week’s skiing? Short answer: Norwegian ski resorts generally have greater vertical drops, steeper terrain and a more dramatic mountain landscape, whilst Swedish resorts are closer to most Swedish cities, offer lower food costs and a significantly wider range of large private mountain chalets. The skiing experience differs more than many people realise – the financial and logistical aspects also differ, albeit in the opposite direction.

This article compares the countries at a national level: terrain, cost, journey time, snow and types of accommodation. If you’re a larger group who want to stay together, the section on accommodation is the most important, and anyone who’s already leaning towards Sweden can start by looking at rent a mountain cottage in Sälen to see what the Swedish model looks like in practice.

Quick answer: Norway or Sweden – what sets skiing apart

This is how the countries stand in relation to one another on the issues that usually prove decisive:

• Terrain: Norway has greater vertical drops, more bare mountain slopes and steeper runs – Sweden has gentler slopes and wider family-friendly terrain.
• Journey time: From the Mälardalen region and Norrland, Swedish towns are closer – from the west coast, the difference decreases or reverses.
• Cost situation: Prices for food, restaurants and alcohol are higher in Norway – whilst ski passes are at a comparable level.
• Accommodation: Norway has smaller cottages and flats – Sweden has the country’s widest range of houses for ten to thirty people.
• Snow and the season: Both countries are guaranteed to have snow during the peak season; high-altitude resorts in Norway and northern resorts in Sweden have the longest season.
• Practical information: Travelling to Norway involves crossing a border, dealing with a different currency and, in winter, often more challenging mountain roads.

The terrain – elevation difference, steepness and fjord mountains

Norway has the better terrain, and let’s be honest about that. The country has ski resorts with significantly greater vertical drops than those in Sweden, considerably more steeply graded runs and a mountain landscape that, in the west, stretches all the way down to the fjords. For those who’ve been skiing for ten years and want a challenge day after day, a week in Norway offers more, and the off-piste terrain above the tree line is, in many places, in a class of its own. Swedish resorts have a gentler profile: moderate vertical drop, wide and long runs, very extensive practice areas and just a few really steep sections per resort. This makes skiing in Sweden ideal for mixed groups where skill levels vary, but less appealing to the experienced skier seeking vertical metres. What the Swedish profile means in practice is illustrated by the cross-country ski trails on the Swedish side, which is a reason in itself to stay at home – cross-country skiing on easily accessible, well-groomed trails right on the doorstep is one of the strongest arguments for Sweden.

The cost of living in Norway: accommodation, food, ski passes and currency

The cost of living is the most common reason why Swedes choose not to visit Norway, and the basis for this view is accurate. Norway generally has higher prices for food, restaurants and alcohol, and on a week’s self-catering holiday, the food budget is one of the biggest expenses – for a large group, the difference can amount to several thousand kronor. At the same time, there are nuances to consider: the exchange rate between the Norwegian and Swedish kronor fluctuates over time and has, at times, made Norway significantly cheaper than its reputation suggests, whilst ski pass prices are broadly similar in both countries. Fuel costs and any road tolls are additional expenses on the Norwegian side. The most reliable way to compare is to calculate the cost for the whole week for the entire group in the same currency: accommodation, food, ski passes and travel. We describe what the cost of accommodation in Sweden works out at in how much a week’s stay in a holiday cottage in winter costs.

Journey times and border crossings from different parts of Sweden

Where you live matters more than anything else. From Stockholm and the Mälardalen region, the nearest Swedish mountain resorts are around four and a half to five hours away, whilst the Norwegian alternatives offering comparable skiing normally take several hours longer, plus the time spent crossing the border. From Gothenburg and the west coast, the picture is different: several Norwegian resorts are fully competitive in terms of travel time. From Norrland, the Swedish resorts are by far the closest. A couple of practical things to bear in mind when travelling to a Norwegian destination: mountain passes may close or require convoy driving in bad weather, customs regulations on food and alcohol dictate what you can bring with you, and payment is made in Norwegian kroner. The location of the Swedish side in relation to the border is shown in where Sälen is situated in relation to the boundary – The distance to Norway is shorter than many people think, which also makes a day trip possible.

Snow and the season on both sides of the border

During the peak season, from Christmas to mid-March, the issue of snow is, in practice, resolved in both countries. The differences arise at the start and end of the season. High-altitude areas in Norway and resorts near the coast can receive heavy snowfall early on, but the western part of the country also experiences mild weather and rain that reaches higher altitudes than one might wish. Swedish mountain resorts are situated in a drier inland climate with more stable cold temperatures, which provides more consistent snow cover but less precipitation – hence the extensive snowmaking, which effectively guarantees open slopes from the start of December. When Easter is late, high-altitude Norwegian resorts often have the edge, whilst Swedish resorts make up for this with long, light days and spring sunshine. Neither side generally comes out on top; it depends on the week, the altitude and the year.

Types of accommodation – cabins, flats and traditional Swedish mountain cottages

The basic model is the same in both countries: you rent accommodation and cook your own meals. The scale, however, differs. Norwegian cabins and flats are often of a high standard but are typically sized for four to eight people, and really large properties are rare. Swedish mountain resorts, and Sälen more than any other, offer the country’s widest range of large private houses: ten, twenty and, in some cases, thirty beds under one roof, with a sauna, relaxation area, large dining room and several living rooms. For two people, it doesn’t matter which country you choose. For three families travelling together, however, this is often the crux of the matter, as the alternative is to split the group across several properties. If you’d rather prioritise proximity to the ski lift over size, there are the highest-ranked accommodation in Sälenfjällen collected separately.

When Norway is the right choice

Choose Norway if skiing is your main aim for the week and your group consists of experienced skiers – the vertical drop and the steepness simply offer more, and it’s not just a minor difference. Choose Norway if you want to ski off-piste in open mountain terrain, where the Norwegian options are superior to those in Sweden. Choose Norway if you live on the west coast and therefore don’t have to pay any travel time surcharge at all. Choose Norway if you’re a small group that can fit into a cabin, as the price difference then becomes manageable. And choose Norway if you want to experience the fjord mountains – that environment has no Swedish equivalent, and that’s a reason in its own right. The fact that the Swedish side has the edge in terms of journey time and cost does not mean it offers a better experience for everyone.

Summary – Norway or Sweden: which side of the border will you choose?

The question of whether to go to Norway or Sweden for skiing depends on three factors. The standard within the group: If all the skiers are experienced, Norway wins on cross-country skiing; if the standard of skiers varies, Sweden wins on breadth and accessibility. Where to start: From the Mälardalen region and further north, Swedish towns are closer; from the west coast, the distances are roughly the same. How many of you there are: For groups of more than eight people, the range of large holiday homes available in Sweden and the lower cost of accommodation are major factors, and the difference grows with every additional guest as the rent is shared. If you decide to stay in Sweden, we’ll be happy to help you find a holiday home that can accommodate your whole group and is located exactly where you want it to be.