Sälen or Vemdalen – which mountain resort suits you best?

Sälen or Vemdalen? In short: Sälen is closer to the Mälardalen region, has more interconnected facilities and the country’s widest range of large mountain chalets, whilst Vemdalen is situated higher up and further north, has a more relaxed pace and, in Björnrike, boasts one of Sweden’s best beginner slopes. The difference in the skiing experience is less than many people think – the difference in travel time and accommodation options is greater.

Here we compare the destinations point by point so that you can make the right choice. If you’re travelling with a larger group, the section on accommodation at the bottom is the most important; if you’re rent large cottage in Sälen The range on offer is quite different from that in Härjedalen, and it’s worth bearing this in mind before you make up your mind.

Quick comparison: Sälen or Vemdalen at a glance

This is how the towns compare with one another on the issues that usually make the difference:

• Journey time from Stockholm: Sälen approx. 4.5–5 hours – Vemdalen approx. 6–7 hours.
• Ski resort: Sälen comprises four contiguous sites, plus Stöten and Kläppen in the valley – Vemdalen comprises three separate sub-areas, with a road running between them.
• Beginners and children: Both are strong; Björnrike is exceptionally friendly, whilst Sälen has more places at its ski school.
• Snow and altitude: Vemdalen is situated slightly higher up and slightly further north; Sälen has a very extensive snowmaking system.
• Evenings: Sälen offers a wider range of après-ski, restaurants and activities – Vemdalen is quieter.
• Accommodation: Sälen has the country’s largest selection of private mountain cottages – Vemdalen is dominated by holiday villages and flats.

The geography – Vemdalsskalet, Björnrike and Klövsjö versus Sälenfjällen

Vemdalen is actually a collective term for several resorts in Härjedalen: Vemdalsskalet, Björnrike, and Klövsjö and Storhogna on the northern side of Vemdalen. They share a lift pass but are a short drive apart, which means you can decide each morning where you want to go and pack the car accordingly. Sälenfjällen works differently: Lindvallen, Högfjället, Tandådalen and Hundfjället are linked by lifts and runs so you can ski between them, whilst Stöten and Kläppen are in the same valley but have their own lift passes. If you want to avoid using the car during the week, this difference is crucial; if you’re looking for variety between three distinct mountains, Vemdalen is the better choice.

Journey times from Stockholm, Gothenburg and the Mälardalen region

From Stockholm, Sälen is about four and a half to five hours away, and Vemdalen six to seven. From Gothenburg, Sälen is about six hours away, and Vemdalen eight. A difference of a couple of hours may sound small, but it has consequences: over a long weekend, it eats into a whole day’s skiing, and with small children in the car, it can mean the difference between one journey and two days’ travel. Over a whole week, it matters less, and if you’re coming from Norrland or the Jämtland area, the situation is completely reversed – in that case, Vemdalen is the closest.

Skiing: size, variety and queues

Sälen has more runs in total and a range that covers everything from large practice areas to some really steep sections, but the vertical drop is moderate and the profile is generally gentle. Vemdalen has fewer runs but three different mountains, each with its own character: Vemdalsskalet, with a bare mountain feel and a bit more of a challenge; Björnrike, with long, gentle family slopes; and Klövsjö–Storhogna, offering skiing through the woods at a more leisurely pace. Experienced skiers often find that Vemdalen offers more variety per run, whilst mixed groups appreciate that everything in Sälen is accessible via the same lift system. The queues are comparable: both resorts get very busy during the winter half-term and at Easter, and both are virtually empty in December and at the end of March. An overview of the ski resorts in Sälen can be found on our area page.

Snow reliability and season length

Vemdalen is situated both at a higher altitude and slightly further north than Sälenfjällen, which gives it a natural advantage towards the end of the season and when Easter falls late. The difference in the middle of winter, however, is negligible: both resorts have extensive snowmaking facilities, open their first runs in November or early December, and maintain excellent snow cover throughout the peak season. In the event of a really late Easter, Vemdalen normally keeps slightly more slopes open. If you’re planning to ski in December or April, it’s worth checking the respective resort’s latest report rather than relying on rumours – both resorts have their good years and their bad years.

Families with children, après-ski and evenings

For families with young children, both resorts are amongst the best in Sweden. Björnrike has an unusually even and extensive beginners’ area that is hard to beat, and the distances within each section are short. Sälen has more places at ski schools, more children’s areas to choose from and considerably more to do on non-skiing days – water parks, dog sledding, bowling and restaurants within a reasonable distance. In the evenings, the difference is most apparent: Sälen offers a wide range of après-ski activities across all four resorts and a growing selection of restaurants, whilst Vemdalen is quieter and more focused on cabin life. For those seeking peace and quiet, this is an advantage, not a drawback. We have compiled family accommodation within easy reach of the ski lift for those who prioritise distance.

Accommodation – choice, standard and large groups

This is where the biggest difference lies. Vemdalen offers a high standard of holiday villages and apartments, but few really large private houses. Sälen offers the widest range in the country in this category: houses with ten, twenty, thirty and, in a few cases, fifty beds, often with a sauna, a large dining room and communal areas designed to allow a whole group to socialise. For a family of four, it makes no difference – both resorts have plenty of suitable accommodation. For two families travelling together, for a family reunion or for a group of friends, this is often the deciding factor. The price level is otherwise comparable; the difference lies in how many people you can share the cost with. We’ll go through what a house costs in high season in how much a holiday cottage costs during the winter season.

Summary – Sälen or Vemdalen: when will each place win?

Please select Vemdalen if you live north of Dalarna, if you want access to three different mountains on the same lift pass, if you’re travelling late in the season and want some leeway with the snow, or if you’re looking for a quieter week where you can spend your evenings in the chalet. Björnrike is also one of the country’s best mountains for learning to ski. Choose Sälen if you’re coming from the Mälardalen region and want to minimise your journey time, if you’re a large or mixed group planning to stay together, or if you want a wide range of both slopes and evening activities. If you’re choosing between several Swedish mountain resorts, it might be worth reading a comparison with Åre. If you’d like some help finding the right house for your group, just get in touch.