How does Sälen fit into the picture? Areas, villages and distances

The map of Sälen is simpler than it first appears: a valley with the village of Sälen at the bottom, and a mountain road that climbs upwards and links the four ski resorts – Lindvallen, Högfjället, Tandådalen and Hundfjället like a string of pearls. Add the neighbouring resorts Stöten and Kläppen at either end of the valley, and you have the whole of Sälenfjällen. Here we explain how it all fits together – areas, villages and distances.

Short answer: this is how Sälen is structured

Imagine Sälen spread over three levels. Down in the valley, along Västerdalälven, lies the village of Sälen – the ”real” village with grocery shops, Systembolaget and services all year round. From the village, Fjällvägen leads up to the bare mountain, and the ski resorts are situated in order along this road: first Lindvallen, then Högfjället, followed by Tandådalen and finally Hundfjället. Lindvallen and Högfjället are linked by one lift system, whilst Tandådalen and Hundfjället are linked by another – with a ski bus running between them. South of the village of Sälen lies Kläppen, and north-west of the valley, on a separate stretch of road, lies Stöten. Everything is within a radius of about three mils, which means you can access the full range of options regardless of where in the valley you choose to Rent a holiday home in Sälen – but it depends on the situation how much time you spend in the car.

Sälens village and Sälfjällstorget – the heart of the valley

The village of Sälen is the hub for everyday services: here you can buy food, collect parcels and find restaurants that are open all year round. The village lies at the foot of the mountain, and many of the valley’s finest holiday cottage areas are situated on the slopes between the village and Lindvallen. A little way up Fjällvägen lies Sälfjällstorget, one of the mountain’s main thoroughfares, bustling with restaurants, shops and a lively atmosphere during the season. The area around the square and Gamla Sälfjällstangen combines proximity to the slopes with spacious plots and tranquillity – several of our exclusive mountain houses, within easy reach of both the village’s amenities and the Lindvallen ski lifts. For a more in-depth look at the valley’s accommodation options, see our guide to cottage areas in Sälen.

The four facilities: Lindvallen, Högfjället, Tandådalen and Hundfjället

Lindvallen is the largest and most family-friendly resort, with the Experium swimming pool, plenty of on-piste accommodation and a wide range of restaurants. Högfjället, neighbouring Lindvallen and linked via the lift system, offers a classic mountain setting – quieter, with roots in Sälen’s early years of tourism and excellent skiing on the bare mountain slopes. Tandådalen and Hundfjället, furthest along the road, share the lift system and offer the valley’s most varied skiing: Tandådalen with modern lifts and good park skiing, and Hundfjället with a ‘troll forest’ for the children and steep slopes for experienced skiers. Which area suits you best depends on who you’re with – we’ve written a separate guide on which destination suits different travellers.

Distances and journey times between the areas

The distances are short, but worth bearing in mind when choosing accommodation. It is about half a mil from Sälen’s village up to Lindvallen, and from Lindvallen to Högfjället just a few kilometres. The Fjällvägen then continues across the bare mountain towards Tandådalen, about a mil from Högfjället, and from Tandådalen to Hundfjället it is just a couple of kilometres. The entire journey from Sälens by to Hundfjället takes around 20–25 minutes by car on a normal day – allow a little longer during snowfall and during the rush at cottage changeover days. During the season, there is also a ski bus running between the resorts, free of charge with a valid SkiPass pass, so you’ll be fine without a car once you’re there. You’ll find exact distances and tips for each section in our article on the distances between the ski resorts.

Where are the cottages? How to select a location on the map

Accommodation at Sälen is available in three different types of flats. Closest to the lifts, up by the facilities, you’ll find yourself with your skis right on your doorstep – the most convenient option for a pure skiing holiday. On the slopes between the village and the mountains, around Sälfjällstorget and Gamla Sälfjällstangen, you’ll find larger houses and more privacy, yet still just a few minutes from both the slopes and amenities – this is where many of the valley’s most exclusive mountain homes are situated. Down in or near the village of Sälen, this is the best place to stay if year-round amenities and restaurants are your top priority – and in summer, the village locations are often the most practical, with hiking trails, the river and cycle paths right on your doorstep. If you want to be able to get out of the car and be in the lift queue five minutes later, you should stay near the ski slope; if you’re looking for a house where guests can gather round the sauna and a long table, hillside locations often offer the best of both worlds.

Stöten and Kläppen – the neighbours in the valley

The Sälen mountains are more than just the four SkiStar resorts. South of the village of Sälen, just over a mil away, lies Kläppen – a family-run resort known for its generous children’s areas and excellent park skiing. In the other direction, to the north-west of the valley, lies Stöten in its own small valley, with a compact lift system and a good vertical drop. Both are easily accessible by car from anywhere in the valley and make excellent day-trip destinations for those looking to add some variety to their skiing week – if you’re staying in the centre of Sälen, you’ll have the full range of options within easy reach, and can choose a resort depending on the day’s weather and your mood. In summer, the same map transforms into hiking trails, cycle paths and fishing spots; our website Explore Sälen shows what the valley has to offer beyond skiing.

Summary – finding your way around the Sälen map

The most important thing to remember about the geography of Sälen:

• The village of Sälens lies in the valley and is the hub for services – Systembolaget, shops and year-round life.
• The mountain road links the facilities in the following order: Lindvallen, Högfjället, Tandådalen, Hundfjället.
• Lindvallen–Högfjället share a lift system, as do Tandådalen–Hundfjället; the ski bus connects everything.
• The entire journey from the village to Hundfjället takes 20–25 minutes by car; nothing in the valley is far away.
• Stöten and Kläppen are separate neighbouring sites – easy to reach for a day out.
• Choose a location based on your group’s priorities: by the lift, on the slopes around Sälfjällstorget, or down in the village.

With the map of Sälen firmly in mind, the rest is easy – and if you’d like personalised help choosing the right spot for your group, we know exactly where in the valley you’ll get the most out of your stay.

Would you like to live in Stöten? Sälengodset is set to open a mountain chalet for 16 guests with a ski-in, ski-out location very soon. Read more about resident at Stöten and send an enquiry to be the first to be notified.