Is it possible to work remotely from Sälen?

In just a few years, the question has gone from being unusual to a matter of course: is it possible to work remotely from Sälen? The answer is yes – and for many, a ‘workation’ in the mountains is the most productive working week they have all year. The difference compared to a home office isn’t the technology but the environment: fewer interruptions, longer uninterrupted working sessions and a break that actually clears your head. This guide explains how a week in the mountains combined with work works in practice – internet connection, daily routine, timing and which arrangements suit best. The foundation is the accommodation, and that rent a mountain cottage for longer stays gives the workplace a completely different feel to a hotel room.

Short answer: yes – and the off-season is perfect for a workation in the mountains

The practical conditions are in place: the valley is one of Sweden’s most popular destinations, with all the infrastructure that entails, and a modern mountain lodge offers internet access, space to work and that sense of seclusion which makes concentration possible. What determines whether the week is a success is less about technology and more about timing. During the school holidays in peak season, the valley is full, prices are high and the pace is different – it’s the wrong time for work. Outside the school holiday weeks – in November and December before the pre-Christmas rush, in the quiet of January between bank holidays, and in late winter after Easter – Sälen becomes something else entirely: quiet, good value and spacious. That’s where a workation belongs. Add to that the fact that longer stays often work out at a better weekly rate than short weekends, and the calculation becomes both appealing and reasonable.

Internet connection and workspace in the cottage

Two things determine whether you can work from home: the internet connection and the desk. The internet connection is usually the lesser concern – most rental properties in the area have fixed broadband or Wi-Fi, and mobile coverage is good in the valley. If you’d like to know what the situation actually is and how to protect yourself, we’ve put together our own guide to Wi-Fi and mobile coverage in Sälen. If you’ve got video meetings this week that simply can’t go wrong: ask the host about the property’s internet connection before booking, and bring your mobile as a backup. What about your workspace? A large dining table with a view of the mountains beats most office chairs, but do think about ergonomics – a laptop stand, an external keyboard and a proper chair in your bag will make all the difference by day three. If there are several people in your group who are working, you’ll also need more than one room: meetings on speakerphone in the same kitchen just don’t work.

Daily routine: meetings in the morning, the slopes at lunchtime

The great thing about working in the mountains is that the day takes on a different rhythm. The tried-and-tested routine: focused work and meetings from early morning until lunchtime, a two- to three-hour break in the middle of the day when the light is at its best, and a final block of work in the afternoon or evening. The break isn’t a waste of time but the whole point – a couple of hours on the slopes, a ski tour on the trail or a walk in the woods does more for your mental sharpness in the afternoon than any cup of coffee. During the winter, daylight dictates the schedule, which, paradoxically, makes many people more disciplined: when there’s little time for outdoor activities, work shifts actually become work shifts. Agree on the rules in advance with your manager and colleagues, block out the break in your calendar just like any other time slot, and be clear about when you’re available. A ‘workation’ that’s done on the sly becomes stressful; one that’s properly planned feels like a holiday without work suffering as a result.

The best weeks for a workation – value for money and peace and quiet

Choose a week based on two factors: how many people you can tolerate and how much you’re willing to pay. The pre-season, with its early snow, offers the lowest prices and an almost empty valley, but shorter days and a limited choice of slopes. January between the bank holidays is a classic choice – the resort is in full swing, there’s plenty of space on the lifts and prices are considerably lower than during the school holiday weeks. For many, late winter after Easter is the absolute favourite: long, light days, soft spring snow in the afternoon and a peaceful valley. Summer and early autumn are just as good if cycling, hiking and fishing appeal to you more than skiing. Avoid the school holidays and the Easter weeks if you’re there for work. If you’re staying longer than a standard week, it’s worth asking whether the package can be tailored – so that book accommodation with flexible arrival times means that the stay can be organised to fit in with the work schedule, rather than the other way round.

With family or colleagues – two models

One option is a family ‘workation’: one or two adults work for part of the day whilst the rest of the family is out on the slopes, and the week becomes an extended holiday that doesn’t use up any holiday entitlement. The key here is a house with enough space for both a work area and living space – don’t listen to anyone who says the kitchen table will do when three children come in after ski school. The second model is the ‘team workation’: a group of colleagues spend a week together in the mountains, with scheduled work sessions, a couple of joint workshops and dinners together. It’s a kick-off at a slower pace and often just as effective, especially for teams who otherwise never meet in person. If you need to connect with colleagues who’ve stayed at home, check out our page on hybrid meetings in the mountains – a hybrid format ensures that the mountain week is inclusive of everyone.

On-site meetings: co-working and meeting rooms

Sometimes the cottage isn’t enough: a full day of client meetings, a workshop requiring a whiteboard, or simply the need to get out of the house to find some peace and quiet. In such cases, there’s the option of supplementing your accommodation with a venue elsewhere – we’ve compiled a list of the options available in the valley in our guide to Coworking spaces and meeting rooms in Sälen, which addresses the issue of venue hire, whilst this article is about living and working here. A practical tip: only book a venue for the days you actually need it. The great thing about a week in the mountains is precisely the freedom to move your work wherever the day demands – the kitchen table in the morning, a café in the afternoon, or by the fire for those moments when you need to think things through in peace and quiet.

Summary – planning your week in the mountains whilst working

How to make a workation in the mountains a success:

• Choose the off-peak season – pre-season, January between the weekends, or early spring after Easter. Avoid the school holiday weeks.
• Check the internet connection with the host before booking if the week includes any critical video meetings.
• Don’t forget the ergonomics: a laptop stand, an external keyboard and a chair you can sit in for a whole week.
• Divide the day into two work shifts with a proper break in between – it’s the break that makes this arrangement worthwhile.
• Discuss the week’s plans with your manager and colleagues in advance; clarity beats secrecy.
• Book a house with space for both work and leisure – especially if your family or colleagues are coming along.

Is it possible to work remotely from Sälen? Absolutely – and anyone who’s tried a ‘workation’ in the mountains once usually books their next one before their stay is even over.