Ski holidays in Swedish Lapland

• Riksgränsen and Björkliden are in the northern border region; Hemavan and Tärnaby are separate destinations farther south.
• Riksgränsen’s runs are undulating and winding; Uffes vägg, Rimfors and Nordalsfjäll are named backcountry destinations.
• Björkliden combines pistes and tree runs with views of Lapporten, Torneträsk and Nuolja.
• Hemavan has 36 pistes, three children’s areas, a snow park and a ski cross course.
• Tärnaby is about 20 kilometres from Hemavan and has its own lifts and pistes.
• Local ski slopes are within walking distance of Hemavan Airport; reaching Tärnaby requires a planned transfer.

The pistes at Riksgränsen and Björkliden have different profiles. Riksgränsen’s runs are undulating and winding. Experienced skiers will find distinctive destinations such as Uffes vägg, Rimfors and Nordalsfjäll, as well as easily accessible off-piste terrain. Björkliden has a different character: pistes and tree runs wind among mountain birches, with views of Lapporten, Torneträsk and Nuolja. The two resorts can therefore be distinguished not only by their location near the Norwegian border, but also by their piste profiles and landscapes.

Hemavan offers 36 pistes, three children’s areas, a snow park and a ski cross course; its 665 metres of vertical drop give an indication of the size of the ski area. Local ski slopes and larger accommodation options are about a ten-minute walk from Hemavan Airport. Tärnaby lies around 20 kilometres farther away and is a separate, smaller ski area with five lifts and 13 pistes. Ingemarbacken and Anjabacken are the best-known named slopes; there are also easier beginner runs and terrain beyond the marked pistes. It is advisable to arrange a transfer from the airport to Tärnaby, as taxis are not always available locally.

In Sweden, these resorts also differ in vertical drop: Tärnaby has 350 metres compared with Hemavan’s 665. Hemavan’s pistes comprise 16 green, 11 blue, eight red and one black run.