5 Ways To Experience Winter In Swedish Lapland
Fredrik Broman
THE GLAMPING EXPERIENCE:
Sapmi Nature Camp
Sapmi Nature Camp offers an unforgettable experience at the Sjavnja nature reserve. Founded and run by a reindeer herding family, it provides an immersive opportunity to explore the region's natural wonders. Guests can stay in comfortable, eco-friendly cabins or Sami tents to experience life as a traditional Sami (the indigenous people of Sweden). You can camp under the stars and, when conditions are right, catch a view of the Northern Lights across the sky. Choose from standard or deluxe tents, the latter of which have en-suite bathrooms, automatic wood heaters and plenty of soft accents to keep you warm and cosy during the night. The camp offers activities like dog sledding, snowshoeing and ice fishing in the winter, as well as hiking, fishing and kayaking during the summer months. During the winter, visitors can book a four-day package which includes accommodation, meals, guided tours, skiing or snowshoeing trips, and sessions in the private wood-heated sauna by the river.
From £175 per night.
Visit SAPMINATURE.COM
THE DESIGN-LED HOTEL:
Treehotel, Sweden
If you only have a few days to play with, it's worth choosing a single hotel where you can get fully involved in its outdoor activities. A 90-minute flight to Luleå airport followed by an hour’s drive will get you to Treehotel, a design-led property in Harads, a small village in Norrbotten County. Here, guests can trek through snow-capped forests, be whisked across the snow by husky-drawn sleds, camp out under the stars, and try typical Nordic cuisine – think reindeer, smoked fish and pickled veg. The hotel has five striking glasshouses and 32 treehouses dotted around the forest, some with traditional red Nordic brickwork, others with glass-panelled roofs. Inside, rooms are modern and cosy. Some have kitchenettes, while larger options have Swedish saunas in bathrooms. You can try the traditional Swedish ritual of cold-water therapy in the lake, then cosy up by the fire in the shared lounge. The hotel’s restaurant serves modern Nordic cuisine and has plenty of variety to keep diners interested over a two to three-night stay.
Rooms from £625 a night.
Visit ARCTICTREEHOUSEHOTEL.COM
THE FAMILY TRIP:
Camp Ripan
Whether you’re travelling with little ones or teens, Camp Ripan is a great option for an active family holiday – though guests can choose to do as much or little as they like. Located in Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city, this affordable, family run hotel aims to have as little impact on the environment as possible. Its ‘climate smart’ kitchens, low food waste approach and activities that support local Sami communities have earned it numerous awards. Families can stay in one of the Giron cabins which sleep four across two rooms – one double and a twin with bunk beds. All are modern yet cosy, with simple décor and separate rooms to store ski equipment. During the winter, activities on offer include dog sledding, snowmobile tours, skiing, snowshoeing, and trips through the local forest to spot reindeer and moose. There’s a restaurant on site for all-day dining (with a children’s menu), as well as a spa and indoor padel hall.
From £100 per night.
Visit RIPAN.SE
Niehku Mountain Villa
THE BUCKET-LIST PROPERTY:
Arctic Bath
One of the most famous properties in the region is Arctic Bath, an architecturally complex hotel in the small village of Harads. A showcase of eco-friendly Scandinavian design, the hotel floats on the Lule River with a circular structure that mimics a cluster of driftwood. Inside, minimalist interiors feature natural materials like local wood and stone, blending seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness. Guests can choose to stay in one of 12 rooms – half are stilted land cabins, spread over two floors with a loft-like layout featuring a spiral staircase leading to a mezzanine bedroom. The other rooms float over water and are connected to land by a walkway held in place by ice. All have Baltic limestone flooring and an eco-friendly wood-pellet burner for cosy evenings beside the fire. Slow-cooked reindeer and moose heart are some of the Swedish delicacies on offer at the restaurant headed up by chef Kristoffer Åström, though the real highlight here is the spa. The whole hotel has been designed with wellness in mind, and there’s an extensive range of treatments such as an open-air cold baths and traditional Swedish massages. If you’re not staying overnight, spa day packages are also available.
From £525 per night.
Visit ARCTICBATH.SE
THE SKI RESORT:
Riksgränsen
Thanks to the high altitudes, Sweden’s ski resorts have a longer season and more reliable snow than those in and around the Alps. One of the most famous is Riksgränsen, which is also the country’s northernmost resort. It’s best suited to intermediate and advanced skiers, with numerous red and black runs, and opportunities for heli-skiing on untouched powder among hundreds of peaks accessible only by helicopter. That said, there are enough green runs to keep beginners and children occupied. You can also take advantage of the free shuttle bus to visit the nearby Björkliden resort, which has a ski school for kids. One of the main attractions of skiing in the region is the opportunity to witness the Northern Lights (between September and March) and enjoy winter activities such as husky sledding. One of the best ski hotels in the resort is Niehku Mountain Villa, home to cosy bedrooms filled with thoughtful amenities, and a destination restaurant.
From £350 per night.
Visit RIKSGRANSEN.SE
Niehku Mountain Villa
THE NEED-TO-KNOWS
Getting There: Swedish Lapland can be reached via flights to Kiruna, Luleå or Gällivare, followed by a bus or private car transfer.
When To Go: The best time to visit for winter activities is between December and March.
Temperature: Winter temperatures can drop to -20°C or lower, especially in December and January.
Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK). It’s a good idea to carry cash, especially in remote areas where card payment options may be limited.
Time: GMT+1.
Anything else to note: It’s essential to dress warmly in winter, as conditions can be extreme.
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