New Year in Sälenfjällen is a whole week of anticipation, celebration and winter magic. As early as midday, the valleys are filled with families with children at ski school and groups of friends looking for the first perfect run of the season. The evenings are filled with après-ski, spas and chalet cosiness by the light of bonfires and snowfall. This is one of the most popular weeks of the year, with pressure on everything from restaurants to lift passes - so planning ahead is key to a hassle-free New Year.
More on this: New Years in Sälen.
New Year’s Eve in Sälen – here’s what the day looks like
| Time | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 09.00–15.30 | Lifts are operating as normal – no shorter service on New Year’s Eve | Lindvallen, Högfjället, Tandådalen, Hundfjället, Stöten |
| until 6.00 pm | Selected lifts – Lindvallen every day, Högfjället Friday–Saturday, Tandådalen Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, Hundfjället Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday | See the opening hours of the lifts |
| 17.00–18.00 | Magic Mountain – a light show for families with children, included in SkiPass | Valleberget, Lindvallen |
| 17.30–19.00 | The first sittings of the New Year’s dinners | Högfjällshotellet, Gammelgården, Lammet & Grisen, SkiStar Lodge Lindvallen |
| 00.00 | The stroke of midnight – at home, at the hotel or in the village | see below |
A full overview of the week – accommodation, celebrations, prices – can be found at New Years in Sälen.
The rhythm of New Year's week in the mountains
The days around New Year follow a distinct rhythm. The morning is spent skiing whilst the snow is at its best and the sun peeks over the mountain ridge. After lunch, the pace slows down to a more leisurely ski, a sauna or a spa session before the evening begins. Many guests celebrate with dinner in their holiday cottage or book a table at a mountain restaurant – often with set New Year’s menus and wine packages.
Twelve o'clock in the mountains
New Year’s Eve is celebrated wherever you choose. Högfjällshotellet is celebrating indoors in the Winter Garden with a dinner, a show and a live band; Gammelgården offers a New Year’s Eve package including a five-course dinner; in their own holiday homes, most people celebrate on the balcony with the mountains as a backdrop. No organiser in Sälen is advertising any official fireworks display – if you wish to set off your own fireworks, the local council’s regulations apply: a permit is required in public spaces, and on your own property, the celebrations are limited to the stroke of midnight. From our properties at Sälfjällstangen, you have a view across the valley towards Högfjället.
Lifts and opening hours on 31 December and 1 January
On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, SkiStar operates its usual opening hours: 09.00–15.30 in all four areas, with selected lifts running until 18.00 depending on the day of the week, and Magic Mountain every day from 17.00 to 18.00. Christmas Eve is the only day with shorter opening hours: 09.00–14.00. Stöten operates from 09.00–15.30 every day, with floodlit runs until 18.00. The Experium water park is open every day from 09.00 to 19.30 from 21 December. Throughout the season: Opening hours of the lifts in Sälen.
Restaurants with a New Year’s menu
| Restaurant | Area | New Year’s Eve 2026 | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Högfjällshotellet – The Winter Garden | Högfjället | Four-course New Year’s Eve dinner at 7.00 pm with a show and a live band; jacket required | 2,100–2,400 SEK with a drinks package, 1,800–2,100 SEK without |
| Högfjällshotellet – Brasserie Clüver | Högfjället | Three-course New Year’s dinner, served from 17.30 to 21.00 | 1,750 SEK including drinks, 1,400 SEK excluding drinks; children 500 SEK |
| Högfjällshotellet – TB Grill | Högfjället | Three-course meal at 7.00 pm | 2,995 SEK with a wine package, 2,495 SEK without |
| Gammelgården | Home Mountain | Five-course New Year’s Eve dinner with wine pairing, seating at 6.00 pm – included in the New Year’s package from 29 December to 2 January | from 9,050 SEK per person for four nights including dinner |
| Lammet & Grisen | Lindvallen | a five-course New Year’s Eve dinner at the restaurant, or »New Year’s Eve at the cottage« as a takeaway | 1,295 SEK; takeaway 695 SEK per portion |
| SkiStar Lodge Lindvallen / Experium | Lindvallen | New Year’s dinner and New Year’s buffet | contact the restaurant |
All restaurants take table bookings – book early, as seats fill up in November. All restaurants, area by area: restaurants in Sälen.
Activities before and after New Year
The day after the celebration is often a soft start: cross-country skiing, walking to Trollskogen or bathing at Experium Adventure pool. When the energy returns, there are plenty of options - ranging from snowmobile safari and snowshoe walks to wine tastings. Accommodation such as Sälengodset, Fjällgodset and Olarslodgen provides plenty of space for socialising and big New Year dinners.
Planning and logistics
New Year's week requires advance planning. Lift pass, ski school, Rental equipment and tables are often booked several weeks - sometimes months - in advance. Book accommodation as early as spring if you're aiming for the most sought-after houses. If you come by car, expect winter road conditions and extra travelling time; if you fly to Scandinavian Mountains Airport, pre-book transfers or taxis well in advance. Shop for basic goods early in the day or order breakfast delivery and dinner bags to avoid queues.
Clothing guide for New Year celebrations
Dress in layers: woollen base layer, fleece mid layer and windproof shell jacket on top. Bring warm-lined shoes, woollen socks and hand warmers - especially if you plan to be outside at midnight. Don't forget a hat and a buff; temperatures can drop quickly when the wind blows across the bare mountains. For indoor dinners and parties, many people opt for comfortable but stylish mountain-style garments - knitwear, suede and natural materials blend in well with the environment.
Executive summary
New Year’s Eve at Sälen is more than just one evening – it’s a week packed with skiing, a great atmosphere and good food. If you’d like the whole house to yourselves, there’s accommodation in Sälen over the New Year with room for 8–24 guests. Whether you want to celebrate with a party, a quiet, luxurious dinner or a peaceful family New Year’s Eve at the cottage, everything you need is here. With the right planning, the New Year weekend will be both hassle-free and memorable – a perfect start to the year, amidst the winter magic of the mountains.
If you’re planning the celebrations, you can read more about New Year Sälen and what you should book. If you’re thinking about the next peak season, there’s also information on Sports Holiday Sälen. If you’re planning your holiday, you can read more about New Year’s celebrations Sälen and find the right accommodation.