What is the weather like in the mountains in Sälen?

Mountain weather in Sälen is not the same as the weather outside your cabin door. There is a difference in altitude of several hundred metres between the valley and the bare mountain, and that difference in altitude can transform a calm morning with temperatures above zero into wind, mist and cold at the summit. This guide explains the mechanics behind mountain weather – why it gets colder the higher you go, what the wind chill does to your body, and how to read a forecast so that you can have a great week whatever the weather throws at you. We’ll also help you with the basics: holiday cottages to rent in Sälen all year round means you can move your plans between days rather than being tied to just one.

If, instead, you’d like to know what the climate is like month by month – snow depth, temperatures and seasonal patterns – you’ll find an overview on our page about The weather in Sälen, month by month. This is about something else: how you use the forecast on the day you’re actually out in your mountain gear.

Short answer: the mountain weather in Sälen differs from that in the valley

Sälen is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains. Down in the villages, sheltered by the forest and the terrain, it is often calm, milder and considerably more pleasant than on the open hills. Up on the bare mountain, there is nothing to slow the wind and nothing to retain the heat – there, you’ll encounter the mountains’ own weather. The practical advice is therefore that you always need two forecasts for the day: one for the valley and one for the heights. The forecast you read on your mobile usually shows the valley’s conditions. The difference between them is rarely dramatic on a calm March day, but it can be crucial on a windy January morning or when a change in the weather sets in during August.

Why it gets colder, windier and wetter at higher altitudes

Three things change at the same time as you climb. The temperature drops – air that rises becomes colder, which is why the summit is almost always cooler than the starting point. The wind picks up, as the terrain no longer offers shelter and the air is compressed over ridges and crests. And precipitation becomes more common, because when moist air is forced up over the mountains, it cools and releases its water right there. This combination explains why it can be raining on the summit of Hundfjället whilst the sun is still shining over Lindvallen, and why the powder snow is often deeper at the very top of the system. It also explains why a day that looks identical in the forecast can feel completely different depending on where in the system you are.

Wind chill – it feels so much colder in the lift and at the summit

Wind chill is the difference between what the thermometer reads and what your skin feels. When it’s windy, body heat is lost more quickly, and a temperature of a few degrees below zero in calm conditions can therefore feel significantly colder in a brisk wind. This is the single most important reason why guests feel cold in Sälen: their clothing was suitable for the temperature but unsuitable for the wind. The effect is strongest on exposed skin – cheeks, nose and wrists – and is most noticeable when you’re sitting still, such as in the lift or during a break at the summit. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) publishes wind chill figures in its forecasts, and these are what you should look at rather than the air temperature alone. In practical terms, this means: a windproof outer layer, a buff or mask over your face, and mittens rather than gloves on windy days.

How to read the mountain weather forecast in Sälen

Start with the SMHI’s mountain forecast, which describes conditions at higher altitudes and not just in built-up areas – there you’ll find wind, visibility, precipitation and wind chill all in one place. Supplement this with the resorts’ own weather stations and webcams, which show what the slopes actually look like right now. Treat the forecast as a guide rather than a guarantee: mountain weather changes faster than the forecast models can keep up with, and the further ahead you look, the less accurate the picture becomes. Pay particular attention to three things before a day out – wind strength, wind direction and when a change in the weather is expected. A change in the weather at 2 pm affects a full-day hike in a completely different way to one that occurs after dark. The Mountain Safety Council provides advice on how to plan trips according to the conditions, and their recommendations are a good starting point whatever the season.

When visibility is lost – sudden changes in the weather and what to do

Fog and snowstorms on the bare mountain top obscure both the horizon and the shadows, and in the flat light it becomes difficult to tell the difference between uphill and downhill. It’s unpleasant, but above all it’s treacherous – many mountain mishaps begin when someone carries on a little further in the belief that the conditions will improve. The basic rule is simple and applies to everyone: head downhill. Visibility is almost always better at lower altitudes, and turning back is never a failure. Always carry what you need to make an unplanned delay manageable – extra layers, something to eat, a fully charged battery – and tell someone where you’re going. In winter, the same applies on the slopes: when visibility drops, the tree-lined runs are considerably easier to ski than the open sections at the very top.

Plan your week according to the mountain weather: a fine day, a wet day, a windy day

The best tip for a week in the mountains is not to plan the order of the days in advance. Instead, prepare three boxes and pick the right one each morning. Save the good day – clear skies, light wind, good visibility – for the activities that depend on the weather: the summit hike, the long walk, the day when the whole group is heading up onto the bare mountain. On a windy day, head down into the forest, where the wind is much less of a nuisance. And on a wet day, make it an indoor day; we’ve put together some ideas in the guide about what you do on a rainy day. Living in a house with space to dry clothes, cook and socialise makes reorganising things easy rather than a chore. And most weeks actually have more good days than you’d think – how often sunny weeks in the mountains This often takes many first-time visitors by surprise.

Dress for the conditions, not for the calendar

The calendar tells us what month it is, but the mountains couldn’t care less. A day in March might bring spring sunshine and above-zero temperatures, or a biting wind across the bare mountains – and a day in July in the mountains can be both warm and damp. Layering solves the problem: a base layer that wicks away moisture, a mid-layer that insulates, and an outer layer that blocks wind and rain. With this principle, you can adapt as the day goes on, rather than having to guess in the morning. If you’d like to know how the cold usually behaves in the middle of winter, we’ve put together our own guide to how cold it usually gets in January. And don’t forget that it’s sunny in the mountains even when it’s cold – sunglasses and sun protection belong in your rucksack all year round, especially when the snow reflects the sun from below.

Summary – plan your week in the mountains according to the weather

Here’s how to keep track of the mountain weather in Sälen:

• Expect two different types of weather: one in the valley and one on the bare mountain. The forecast usually shows the weather in the valley.
• Check the wind chill, not just the temperature – the wind determines how cold it feels.
• Use the SMHI’s mountain forecast as a guide and the resorts’ webcams to check current conditions.
• In poor visibility: descend. Turning back in good time is always the right decision.
• Plan your week using three boxes – good day, windy day, wet day – and choose in the morning.
• Dress in layers to suit the conditions, not the month.

With that level of preparedness, the mountain weather in Sälen won’t be something that ruins your plans, but something you plan around – and you’ll have a great week no matter which side of the mountain the clouds choose.