Trip Guide: Ski Touring Holiday in Sweden

Our ski touring adventure is for intermediate skiers ready to ditch the lifts and groomed slopes and explore Sweden’s backcountry instead. You’ll learn to use skins, move efficiently uphill, and carve through untouched snow in the Jämtland mountains. Designed for confident on-piste skiers who can parallel turn on reds, no touring experience needed, just decent fitness and a willingness to earn your turns. Over six days, build backcountry skills with expert guides at a 4:1 ratio, from climbing technique to reading terrain. Each evening, rest up in a cosy alpine lodge with hearty food and nightly sauna sessions.

Getting There

Getting to our resort requires planning. Most people fly into Trondheim, Norway, then transfer to Sweden. Because of this we include group transfers with fixed pickup and drop-off times at Trondheim Airport. If you miss the transfer, you’re arranging your own transport.

Meeting Point: We pick you up from Trondheim Airport and transfer on to your ski resort for the week. On departure, we will drop you back at the airport with a timing suitable for afternoon flights.

Fitness & Skill Level

Our Ski Touring Holiday is designed for intermediate skiers, who can confidently make parallel turns on red runs and feel comfortable controlling their speed on varied terrain. You don’t need prior ski touring experience, but good fitness will help you get the most out of the adventure. If you don’t have enough ski experience, don’t come on this trip – you’ll be miserable and it’s way too dangerous.

Ski touring involves hiking uphill on skis using climbing skins, so stamina and endurance are key. Expect to be out on the snow for around 6-7 hours each day for several days in a row, all whilst learning new skills and techniques. Muscle fatigue is a given, as is the sense of smugness and pride you’ll feel at conquering the slopes.

You already know how fit you need to be to ski, but if you need to get back into it focus on leg strength, balance, and cardio endurance. Exercises like squats, lunges, and single-leg exercises will help with skiing movements. Most importantly, work on your general cardio fitness with regular medium to high intensity sessions that get your heart rate up.

Sleep & Eat

Our mountain hotel has been hosting guests since 1938. The rooms are comfortable and simple, with private bathrooms. It’s not a luxury resort – think traditional alpine lodge atmosphere with modern comforts.

The hotel sits right by the slopes and has its own sauna for post-ski recovery. There’s a restaurant serving hearty mountain food, and the whole place has that calm, relaxed atmosphere you want after active days.

All meals are included, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure. You’ll enjoy a generous mountain breakfast each morning and delicious dinners featuring dishes prepared mainly from the region’s local ingredients.

Weather

Winter in this part of Sweden means proper cold. Temperatures typically range from -10°C to -3°C during the day, dropping lower at night, especially in January.

The cold in Sweden is more of a “dry” cold which tends to feel less harsh than a “damp” (UK) cold at similar temperatures. Wind can make it feel colder though, and higher elevations on the slopes are chillier than down in the village. Layer up and embrace it.

Good to Know

Money: Cards work in most places in Sweden, so it’s unlikely you’ll need cash. Almost everything is included on this trip too, so you’ll just need to budget for any extra drinks, snacks or souvenirs.

Communication: The hotel has WiFi and although phone coverage works in the village, it does disappear once you’re touring in the mountains.

Emergencies: Your guide will carry a satellite device. After booking you’ll also receive the contact details for the hotel, which you can leave with family.

Packing List

What We Provide

• Touring skis, boots & poles – designed for uphill and downhill
• Climbing skins – for grip on ascents
• Helmet
• Avalanche safety gear – transceiver, shovel and probe

Your guides will fit everything and show you how it all works.

What You Need to Bring

Clothing

• Base layers – moisture-wicking thermals, merino wool or synthetic, never cotton. Bring two sets minimum.
• Mid layer – fleece or lightweight down jacket
• Waterproof, windproof ski jacket with vents (you’ll heat up on climbs)
• Waterproof ski trousers or salopettes
• Ski socks (merino or synthetic, not cotton)
• Ski goggles (UV protection, anti-fog)
• Insulated waterproof gloves or mittens
• Neck gaiter or buff
• Beanie for under your helmet

Kit

• Daypack (25-35L) for water, snacks and layers
• Water bottle, insulated is better
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+) and lip balm
• Sunglasses
• Headtorch
• Personal meds
• Warm boots for evenings

Packing Tips

Layering: Swedish cold is dry so it feels less harsh than damp UK weather, but it’s still freezing. You’ll heat up fast on ascents, so pack your daypack with layers you can shed and add quickly.

Merino vs synthetic: Merino base layers are worth it for multi-day touring. They handle sweat better and won’t smell after three days. Synthetic works fine, but you’ll notice the difference.

Gloves: Mittens are warmer, gloves give you more dexterity, and plenty of people bring both. If you’re only bringing one, go for insulated waterproof gloves. Pack liners too, to wear underneath or when you want the bulky pair off.

Hand luggage: If you’re checking a bag in, pack goggles, base layers and one warm layer in your carry-on.

Hiring kit: If you don’t own ski gear, or want something different for this trip, you can hire it.

• Outdoor Buddies Sweden – a Swedish company that delivers to the hotel
• Adventure Kit Hire – Gutsy Girls get a 10% discount on hire costs. Contact our Bookings Team for the code.

Trip Code SWETRISKT – Include this code in any message so we can find your trip straight away.