The Trollskogen is about 1.5 kilometres at its longest stretch - an easy, family-friendly green descent with a fairytale setting, characters and sounds along the way.
A fabulous family ride in Sälen
The Trollskogen in Hundfjället is designed to be a real adventure ski rather than “just” a piste, and the full distance lands at around 1.5 kilometres when you follow the calmest, meandering route all the way. It's a green run with a gentle gradient, wide sections and plenty of room to turn, allowing even brand new skiers to descend at their own pace. Along the descent, the forest tells its story: wooden figures appear between the spruces, small scenes and installations create breaks in the ride, and in several places there are sounds and signs that turn the ride into a story. The experience is therefore as much “stop-look-listen” as it is straightforward skiing, and many families are happy to take 10-20 minutes to descend even though the gradient would have allowed for a faster run. For more child-friendly tips, see Sälen with children.
Location & best time to go
Access is easy and clearly signposted from the Hundfjället side, and already after the first few metres you notice how the pace slows down and the focus shifts from speed to discovery. The surface tends to stay fine thanks to the low gradient and the large flow of piste machines in the area, but as always in popular family slopes, it can get a little busy in the afternoon on high season days. A good trick is to do Trollskogen as your first run after warming up in the morning, or as your last “mushing” run before lunch - it's at its calmest and you'll have time to really enjoy the details along the track. Read more about the ski resorts in Sälen for more tips on the character of the areas.
Safe adventure for young and old
For adults travelling with small children, the Trollskogen is gratifying for several reasons. Not only is the view open and the gradient even, so you can keep an eye both forward and backward, but there are natural stopping points where you can gather the group, drink hot chocolate from your rucksack or just laugh at a newly discovered character. Children who have just left the conveyor belts and button lifts tend to find the route “real” but still safe - a perfect step between the children's area and longer family hills. If you have mixed levels in your party, one adult can be the first to “dart” the line while another adult takes the back last, so the children get the experience of leading without you letting go of safety.
Safety & smart tips
In terms of safety, the same rules apply as on any popular green piste. Keep right when you stop so that you are not behind a blind crest, look up before crossing a wider part of the slope, and let the smallest ones ride inner tracks where the pace spontaneously becomes lower. If you have brand new riders in your party, the Trollskogen works well combined with a short private lesson on the same day; the instructor can give simple keys for braking, turning and balance in the environment that the children actually find most fun. Read more about child-friendly skiing in Sälen.
Breaks & experiences in the valley
Logistically, it is easy to plan the break directly after Trollskogen. Dalplanet at Hundfjället has warming huts, toilets and catering within a short walking distance, and it is easy to round up the gang for a second lap if the energy is still there. If you get a taste for it, you can switch between Trollskogen and other green/blue options nearby in the same morning; the variety keeps your spirits up and your legs alert. Don't miss out on ending the day with a swim or relax at Experium in Lindvallen - perfect for recovering after several hours outside.
Trollskogen summer & all year round
In winter, Trollskogen is of course a skiing adventure, but parts of the trail are also alive outside the snow season. During bare ground, you can encounter the same fairytale feeling on foot in the forest edge around Hundfjället, which means that children who love the winter experience often recognise themselves when you come back in summer. It's a great reminder that Hundfjället is built as much for imagination as for speed. See also summer activities in Sälen for more ideas.
Summary & related tips
Allow for around 1.5 kilometres if you follow the whole long, playful run, plan breaks to really experience everything that happens along the way, and choose a quieter time of day for maximum cosiness factor. Then the Trollskogen will be exactly what it's meant to be - a safe adventure where the kids will love skiing from the very first moment.
Discover more family activities in Sälen, the book accommodation near Hundfjället and plan your stay via Explore Sälen to get the most out of your mountain holiday.