What should you bear in mind when driving to Sälen in winter?

For the vast majority of people, driving to Sälen in winter is a straightforward journey: good roads all the way, no mountain passes and clear signposting. All you need are proper winter tyres, an awareness of the road conditions for the final mile, and a bit of planning regarding refuelling or recharging. Here is some advice to make your winter journey safe and comfortable.

Short answer: driving to Sälen in winter is easy – with the right preparations

Sälen is one of Sweden’s most easily accessible mountain destinations by car. From Stockholm, the journey takes about four and a half to five hours; from Gothenburg, around six, and the roads are of a good standard all the way up through the Västerdalarna region. Unlike many destinations in Norway and Jämtland, you won’t be crossing any weather-exposed mountain passes – the climb only begins in the final few kilometres up from the valley. That doesn’t mean winter should be underestimated: snowfall, slippery conditions and darkness are to be expected, particularly from Malung and northwards. But with the right tyres, a fully charged or fuelled car and a bit of leeway in your schedule, the journey is uneventful. Most of our guests drive up in the afternoon, check into their mountain cabin in Sälen in the evening and wake up feeling well-rested for our first day of skiing – and we’ve gathered the best routes from Stockholm in a separate guide.

Tyres and equipment – what the rules are and what’s a good idea

Winter tyres are a legal requirement in Sweden when winter road conditions prevail during the winter tyre season, and for a trip to the mountains, you shouldn’t settle for the bare minimum. Good winter tyres with sufficient tread depth – ideally Nordic friction tyres or studded tyres – make a bigger difference to safety than any other choice you make before your trip. Check your tyres before setting off, not on the road up to Högfjället. As well as tyres, it’s a good idea to bring: an ice scraper and snow brush, windscreen washer fluid suitable for winter use, a spare key in working order kept separate from the car, and warm clothes, a blanket and a head torch in the car in case you get stranded. If you’re driving with a roof box – check the load and expect slightly higher fuel consumption. If you’re towing a trailer or are unaccustomed to winter driving: slow down and let the queues pass; it’s not a race to the ski lift queue.

Route choices and road conditions on the final mile towards the mountains

The main route up through the Västerdalarna valleys follows the E16/Road 66 via Malung towards the village of Sälen, and it is on this final stretch that winter driving really begins: more snow, more moose and truer winter road conditions. Up in the valley, the Fjällvägen takes over, climbing from the village of Sälen up over the bare mountain towards Lindvallen, Högfjället, Tandådalen and Hundfjället. The road is well maintained and ploughed regularly, but in snowy and windy conditions, visibility on the bare mountain stretch can be limited – take it easy, keep your distance and use your sidelights correctly. Cottage changeover days (often Fridays and Sundays) mean heavy traffic in the afternoon; if you can travel outside peak times, you’ll have a more pleasant journey. Check the weather forecast and the Swedish Transport Administration’s traffic updates before setting off, and allow for extra travelling time in the event of bad weather rather than trying to rush.

Electric car for Sälen: charging stops along the way and charging at the holiday cottage

Driving an electric car to Sälen works very well these days – the charging infrastructure along the routes through Dalarna has been significantly expanded, with fast chargers in places such as Borlänge, Vansbro and Malung, depending on the route chosen. Plan a charging stop where you’d like to have a bite to eat or stretch your legs anyway, and bear in mind that cold weather increases energy consumption: in winter, the range is noticeably shorter than in summer, so it’s better to overcharge once than undercharge. Once you’ve arrived, home charging is the ultimate convenience – waking up every morning to a fully charged car means your days on the slopes are completely free from charging logistics. Several of our properties offer charging facilities; see our holiday cottages with electric car charging points. You can find public transport options in the valley in our guide to electric car charging points in Sälen.

Parking at your accommodation – how it works

One of the advantages of living in your own house is the parking: here, you can park your car on your own driveway or in your own car park, without having to pay any fees, search for a space or walk a long way to scrape the ice off your windscreen. In winter, snow clearance on roads and driveways is carried out regularly, but after heavy snowfall it can take a while before everything is ploughed – it never hurts to have a snow shovel in the boot, and an engine heater or a garage is worth its weight in gold during the coldest weeks. Check the booking details to see how many cars can be accommodated at your particular house, especially if your group is arriving in several cars. Once you’re there, you’ll rarely need to use the car: the ski bus connects the resorts, and much is within walking or skiing distance. Many guests park their car on Sunday and don’t move it until they head home – with the week’s food shopping done on the way up, this is perfectly feasible.

If the weather takes a turn for the worse – here’s what to consider in the event of a snowstorm

Mountain weather can change quickly, and at least once a season, heavy snowstorms sweep across the Dalarna mountains. The basic rule is simple: don’t drive into a storm just because you’re over-optimistic about the time. Check the forecast before setting off and be prepared to bring your departure forward or delay it by a few hours – it is almost always better than driving through the worst of it. Whilst driving: slow down considerably in snow blizzards and poor visibility, keep a safe distance, and avoid overtaking snow ploughs. If conditions become really difficult – stop in a safe place, fill up with petrol, eat and wait for the worst to pass; the storm will eventually pass. Make sure your phone is charged and do let your accommodation know if you’re running late, so that check-in can still be sorted out. With respect for the weather and a bit of leeway in your plans, a winter trip to Sälen is just as uneventful as it usually is.

Summary – checklist for driving to Sälen in winter

Before you set off in your car for Sälen:

• Check your winter tyres – good tread depth and the right type of tyre are the most important safety considerations for your journey.
• Pack your winter kit in the car: an ice scraper, windscreen washer fluid, warm clothes, a blanket and a head torch.
• Plan your refuelling or charging stops – an electric car works brilliantly with a planned quick-charge stop along the way.
• Travel outside peak times on cottage-swap days and keep an eye on the weather forecast for the final mile.
• In the event of bad weather: adjust your departure time rather than driving in the worst of it – and let your accommodation know if you’re running late.
• Don’t forget what to pack – our Winter packing list helps you pack properly.

Would anyone in the group prefer not to drive? If so, here’s a guide on to take the bus to Sälen – and when we arrive, the house is waiting for us, with the car park cleared of snow and the sauna drying out.