Bjorkliden, Riksgransen, and Narvik

Fjällby in Björkliden, 155 miles north of the Arctic Circle at the foot of the highest mountains in Sweden, is a resort with plentiful on and off-piste skiing accessible via the five chair lifts and many T-bars. Due to its northern location the resort is open from February to May and is known for its top tier snowfall. Björkliden has a wealth of history. Dating back to the early twentieth century, it was founded as a lodging station for the engineers working on the construction of the Malmbanan, the Iron Ore Railway. Since 1926, the resort has developed, but still holds an authentic Swedish atmosphere, with evident ties to its cultural, historical and traditional heritage. A further 9km north of Björkliden and an amazing 4,028 feet above sea level, nestled in the mountains lies the Laktatjakko Mountain Lodge, a hut where we will experience the raw natural beauty of Sweden’s mountain landscape, and possible sightings of the Northern Lights.

Located on the national border with Norway lies Riksgränsen, the most iconic and northern ski resort in Sweden. Riks has transformed from simply being another station on the Ore railway to the winter sports paradise that it is today. After the winter darkness and storms, the resort opens for skiers to enjoy the deep champagne powder from February to June. Classic mountain peaks such as Nordals and Vassitjåkka are known for their world-class skiing, repeatedly awarding Riksgränsen the title of Sweden’s Best Off Piste Mountain, with 13 miles of open treeless slopes.

Crossing the border into Norway lies the mountain town of Narvik, the first industrial town of Northern Norway. Narvik’s culture is unique as it is heavily influenced by Swedish railroad workers, sailors from across the world, and British engineers. The local people are well known for their hospitality, particularly their sense of humor, and are always happy to offer advice to visitors. Narvikfjellet, Narvik’s ski area, is renowned for its exceptional off-piste skiing, technical trails, and Scandinavia’s largest vertical drops. The views from the top of Narvikfjellet are extraordinarily unique as the lifts start from the downtown area, where the pathways of the resort meet with the edges of the fjord. The upper mountain chair lift will take you to 3300 feet above sea level, where you can take a short hike to access incredible, world class off-piste skiing.