Storlien: the Ski Resort of the King Carl Gustav XVI

Introduction

Fancy skiing like the King of Sweden? Look only as far as the small family-friendly ski resort of Storlien. The King has a holiday home here and returns each winter. Initially the resort saw its glory days back in the ’70s and ’80s but has recently gotten back on track with new management and hotel opening up.

The Golden Days of Skiing

When Ingemar Stenmark and many of the skiers in Sweden started to get famous, the boom for ski systems started as well – despite being a very ski-friendly country. Before this, most people went skiing on the flat–nordic skiing, but now a shift started with more and more people gathering on the slopes for some fast fun. So did the King and the royal family, and ever since, the King has returned year after year.

The skiing is mostly piste oriented, but there is also an off-piste area – accessible by lift. However, the target audience is primarily beginners and families looking for a relatively affordable vacation in a mountain town without too many distractions.

There are a couple of restaurants and a supermarket, but not much more.

Ski Touring Possibilities

If you prefer to go skiing touring out of Storlien, we recommend booking a guide and going to the nearby mountain area called Snasahögarna, just 30 minutes away. This area is much more suitable for ski touring, and you can start skinning directly from the car.

How to get to Storlien in Sweden

Just an hour by car to the west of Åre lies this hidden spot in plain view with its many pistes towering over the village. If you go to Storlien, a recommendation would be to spend at least a day or two in Åre or try ski touring nearby. If you decide to go here by train, a guide can usually pick you up and drop you off, combined with the experience. Just on the border to Norway and easy to access by train, the resort is now targeting families that want to avoid taking the car for their next vacation and instead can opt for the sleeper train from Stockholm and get some quality time with the kids instead. Practically you also get another day or two of skiing.

Accommodation

The old hotel is being refurbished and upgraded to a modern standard and is our only recommendation.

If you are okay with traveling daily, you can also stay in Storvallen and Enaforsholms Fjällgård. The latter has a full service in the hotel and more of a hostel standard.