What do you do in Sälen when it’s raining?

Vad gör man i Sälen när det regnar? Mer än de flesta anar – en regnig dag är ingen förlorad dag i dalgången. Äventyrsbad, bowling, bio, gott fika och shopping räddar familjedagen, och med ett riktigt fint hus blir stugdagen en upplevelse i sig. Här är planen som gör regndagen till en av veckans bästa.

Short answer: there’s more indoors than you think

Sälen är byggt för att leverera semester oavsett väder. Eftersom destinationen tar emot hundratusentals gäster varje år – många av dem barnfamiljer – har det vuxit fram ett rejält inomhusutbud: badhus i äventyrsklass, bowling, bio, lekland, gym, spa, butiker och ett stort antal restauranger och kaféer. Lägg till det som bara en egen cottage in Sälen kan erbjuda – bastu, brasa, sällskapsspel och långa frukostar – så har du material för flera regndagar utan att någon i sällskapet hinner bli rastlös. Tricket är att byta mindset: i stället för att vänta på uppehåll gör ni regndagen till den dag ni ändå ville ha – återhämtningsdagen, baddagen, fikadagen. Regn i Sälen är dessutom oftast en sommar- och höstföreteelse; på vintern kommer nederbörden mestadels som snö, och då är ”problemet” snarare en anledning att fira.

Experium – water park, bowling and cinema

Dalgången’s obvious go-to for rainy days is Experium in Lindvallen – an entertainment centre that brings together a water park, bowling alley, cinema, children’s play area, spa and restaurants all under one roof. The water park is the main attraction: water slides, a wave machine, children’s pools and a relaxation area mean the whole family can spend half a day there without anyone glancing at their watch. After a dip, the bowling alley awaits the competitive members of the group, whilst the cinema is perfect for those who fancy sinking into an armchair. For adults, spa treatments are available to book – a rainy day is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to that massage you never seem to get round to at home. During peak season, it’s a good idea to book the pool and treatments in advance, as plenty of others will have the same idea when the clouds are low. Read more about the water park and spa at Experium before you plan your day.

Coffee breaks, restaurants and shopping in the villages

A rainy day is the perfect day to enjoy a meal and a stroll through the valley. Start with a leisurely breakfast at home, then go on a café crawl – the cafés around Sälfjällstorget, Lindvallen and down in Sälen’s village serve everything from freshly baked waffles to hearty mountain lunches, and a hot chocolate break whilst the rain patters against the window is the very essence of a holiday. The villages also offer shopping: sports and outdoor shops with seasonal kit, homeware and gift shops, and the shopping centre in Sälen’s village with everyday essentials. Take the opportunity to do what you’d be doing anyway: top up your kit at a better price than back home, pick up ingredients for tonight’s dinner and discover one of the restaurants you haven’t had a chance to try yet – the valley has everything from family-friendly classics to truly well-cooked dinners, and a long lunch is an absolutely brilliant rainy-day activity in its own right.

Activities for children on a rainy day

When you’ve got children with you, the most important rule on a rainy day is: get active first, then cosy up. Start with something that burns off some energy – the swimming pool at Experium is the top choice, the play centre is another, and bowling works from about the age when they can roll the ball. Many venues also offer indoor activities during the season, from mini-clubs to family entertainment – check the weekly programme where you’re staying. After lunch, it’s time for something more relaxed: a film, a games session at home or a baking project in the cottage kitchen (rainy-day buns beat almost anything). And don’t underestimate the rain itself: the right clothes can turn a grey, overcast afternoon into a day of puddle-hopping and exploring nature – children rarely mind the weather; it’s only adults who do. More ideas for all ages can be found in our collection of family activities in Sälen.

Make your day at the cottage part of your holiday (sauna, games, cooking)

The most underrated thing to do on a rainy day is to stay at home – provided that home is a proper mountain cabin. Light the fire, let everyone spread out with books and games, and make cooking the day’s project: a slow-cooked stew or a shared three-course meal where everyone takes turns with a different part. The sauna is the backbone of a day at the cabin – a couple of sessions with a break for a cold foot bath on the terrace whilst the rain pours down, and your body is re-energised for the rest of the week. If the house has a spa, jacuzzi or relaxation area, a rainy day is the perfect occasion to make the most of it; our guests in a holiday cottage with spa in Sälen I usually end up counting the rainy day as my favourite of the week. It’s also the day for socialising: the card tournament, the quiz, and the conversations we never quite get round to having on the slopes. A holiday that can cope with rain is a very good holiday.

Once the rain has passed – nature after the rain

The weather in the mountains changes quickly, and the rain often passes just as quickly as it came – so always have a ‘after-the-rain’ plan ready. Nature is at its very best immediately afterwards: the air is crisp, the colours are rich, and the marshes and woods smell in that way that’s impossible to describe. Take a short walk along one of the trails near your accommodation – ideally in boots or water-resistant shoes for the first few hours – or drive to a viewpoint and watch the clouds lift over the valley. In summer, the hours after rain also offer the best chance of dramatic skies and rainbows over the mountains – don’t forget your camera. Keep an eye on the forecast via our page about the weather in Sälen That way, you’ll know when the delivery slot is – and can plan your day around it, rather than the other way round.

Summary – a rain-proof plan for Sälen

Here’s how to make the most of a rainy day in Sälen:

• Experium in Lindvallen is the top choice: a water park, bowling alley, cinema and spa, all under one roof.
• Go on a coffee and shopping tour of the villages – and try that restaurant you haven’t had time to visit yet.
• With children: energy-filled activities first (swimming, play centre), then quiet activities (cinema, games, baking) – in that order.
• Take your day at the cottage to the next level: a sauna, a log fire, a slow-cooked meal and board games make the cottage the place to be today.
• Have a ‘after-the-rain’ plan – nature is at its most beautiful in the hours after the rain has cleared.
• You can find more weather-independent ideas in our guide to activities other than skiing.

With the right house and the right attitude, there are no bad weather days in Sälen – just different kinds of good days.