Lindvallen Ski Resort Transfer Guide

Lindvallen is the largest ski area in Sweden’s Sälen mountain region – located in Dalarna County. It is known primarily for its wide, sheltered slopes and extensive beginner facilities. The terrain consists mostly of green and blue runs that weave through pine forests, making it a practical choice for young families and novice skiers. Lindvallen is connected by lifts to the neighbouring Högfjället area, allowing skiers to move between the two without a car. At the base of the mountain, the Experium complex provides indoor activities like a water park and bowling when the weather is too harsh for skiing. The resort focuses on convenience and safety rather than steep vertical drops or challenging off-piste terrain.

Mountain culture & milestones

Lindvallen began in 1961 when Bertil and Elisabeth Lind opened Pensionat Lindvallen, a 61-bed guesthouse. The name comes from a traditional summer pasture (fäbod) that the Lind family had owned since the 16th century. Today, the original pension site houses the Lammet & Grisen restaurant. The wider Sälen region was already known to Swedes due to the historic Vasaloppet cross-country ski race, but Lindvallen helped shift the focus toward downhill skiing.

In 1975, brothers Erik and Mats Paulsson bought the resort, which at the time consisted of 37 cabins and a single ski slope. They originally intended to buy a single cabin for their employees but ended up purchasing the entire holiday village. This transaction eventually led to the creation of SkiStar, which now operates several major resorts across Scandinavia.

The resort expanded significantly over the following decades – a growth trajectory that saw the operating company listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1994. In 2003, the SkiStar Lodge opened, bringing a higher standard of hotel accommodation to the base area. In 2009, SkiStar opened Experium, a large indoor entertainment centre that added year-round facilities to the valley base. By 2011, Lindvallen had grown to accommodate nearly 6,000 beds.

Valley bases: where to stay

Lindvallen is organised around four main squares, each providing direct access to the slopes. The accommodation consists mostly of self-catering timber cabins, modern apartments, and the SkiStar Lodge. The layout minimises the need to walk in ski boots, as most properties are located directly on the snow.

Experiumtorget is the busiest area. It houses the main indoor complex and sits next to Europe’s largest children’s ski area. Accommodation here includes the SkiStar Lodge Lindvallen and the Timmerbyn cabins, which offer genuine ski-in/ski-out access. Söderåstorget is quieter but still provides quick access to the Söderåsen Express chairlift and several green runs.

Gustavtorget is the central hub for the main chairlifts and ski school meeting points. Sälfjällstorget has a more traditional village layout, featuring independent restaurants and boutique shops. Further back from the slopes, cabin villages like Dalbyn, Fjällbäcken, and Gröna Byn offer quieter settings while remaining within walking distance of the main facilities.

Base area	Primary atmosphere	Key amenities	Slope access
Experiumtorget	Busy and central	Water park, spa, bowling, Valleberget	Direct to nursery slopes
Söderåstorget	Quiet and practical	Express chairlift, warming huts	Direct to green and blue runs
Gustavtorget	Active and connected	Main lift hub, ski school meeting points	Direct to central pistes
Sälfjällstorget	Traditional	Independent dining, boutique shops	Direct to lower slopes

Ski sectors at a glance

The skiable terrain is divided into zones that cater mostly to beginners and intermediates. The combined Lindvallen and Högfjället area includes 56 runs and 48 lifts. The lift connection to Högfjället provides access to wider, open spaces above the tree line.

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Sector	Difficulty profile	Best for	Notable features
Valleberget	Very easy	First-time skiers, toddlers	Conveyor belts, Valle the Snowman
Söderåsen	Easy to intermediate	Cruising, building confidence	Söderåsen Express, wide pistes
Gustav & Sälfjället	Intermediate to advanced	Mixed groups, park riders	Snow Park, Fun Ride, Vargbacken
Högfjället	Easy	Long, sweeping turns	Above tree line, classic mountain hotel

The mountain & skiing

Lindvallen’s terrain is built for progression. The resort includes Valleberget, one of Europe’s largest interconnected children’s areas, located at the base of Experiumtorget. This zone has multiple conveyor belts, button lifts, and play features to help young children learn to ski safely. The ski school operates extensively in this area, offering group lessons and private instruction.

Skiers who are ready to progress can move to the Söderåsen Express, which services a network of wide, groomed green and blue runs. These pistes are protected by pine forests, which helps maintain visibility on overcast days. The central Gustav and Sälfjället sectors offer more variety, including red runs and a few steeper black pitches like Vargbacken.

Freestyle skiers have access to a Snow Park near the Sparven lift, which includes simple jump and box lines. There is also a Fun Ride near the Gustav Express, featuring rollers, banked turns, and small jumps. The lift connection to Högfjället allows guests to ski a different landscape. Högfjället is Sälen’s smallest sector, with wide, gentle slopes that all converge at a single base area, making it easy for groups to stay together.

The village & après-ski

The village life in Lindvallen revolves around Experium. This indoor facility includes an adventure pool with indoor surfing, a spa, a bowling alley, and a 3D cinema. It is the main gathering place after the lifts close, particularly for families who want to keep children entertained off the snow.

Dining options range from slope-side cafeterias to sit-down restaurants. Inside Experium, Sigillo offers a buffet for families in ski gear, while the Lodgebaren provides a classic lodge atmosphere with mountain views. Majkens Sylta serves bistro-style food, and Café Von Paul offers baked goods and coffee. Up on the mountain, the Snögubben restaurant provides lunch with panoramic views over the valley. Down in the village, Lammet & Grisen specialises in roasted meats carved directly at the table.

Après-ski in Lindvallen is family-oriented. Venues like Lindvallens Wärdshus and the Lodgebaren host live bands and offer a lively atmosphere, but the overall energy is relaxed compared to the heavy partying found in some Alpine resorts.

Snow & season

The ski season in Lindvallen runs from mid-December to late April. The resort peaks at an altitude of 887 metres, which is low compared to the Alps, but its northerly latitude keeps temperatures consistently cold throughout the winter.

SkiStar uses an extensive snowmaking system that covers most of the primary pistes. This artificial snow creates a base that can withstand occasional mild spells. The weather in Dalarna is often bracing in January and February. The tree-lined nature of Lindvallen’s lower slopes provides shelter from the wind, which is a practical advantage over more exposed resorts.

Summer & year-round

Lindvallen operates as a summer destination once the snow melts. The main attraction is the Sälen Bike Park, which uses the winter lift infrastructure to transport mountain bikers. The park has downhill flow trails graded like ski runs, as well as pump tracks and skills areas where riders can practice their technique. Visitors can hire equipment on site, from children’s bikes to full-suspension models.

The area also has extensive hiking trails. Visitors can take short walks around the lower mountain or hike towards Högfjället, where the landscape opens up into Swedish fell terrain. Experium remains open throughout the summer, providing indoor swimming, bowling, and dining options regardless of the weather.

Safety & mountain etiquette

The ski patrol monitors the marked pistes, and SkiStar manages avalanche control on the lift-served terrain. Because Lindvallen is heavily populated with children and beginners, slope etiquette is strictly enforced. There are designated slow zones around the beginner areas, and skiers are expected to control their speed when merging onto the main thoroughfares.

Skiers who go off-piste or leave the resort boundaries are responsible for their own safety and must carry avalanche equipment. However, Lindvallen has fewer off-piste opportunities than larger alpine domains. The main safety risk for visitors is the extreme cold. Skiers need proper layering and face protection to prevent frostbite during the mid-winter months.

Who it suits best

Lindvallen is built for families with young children, absolute beginners, and intermediate skiers who prefer relaxed cruising. The large amount of easy terrain, combined with indoor facilities like Experium, makes it a practical choice for parents.

Expert skiers looking for steep vertical drops, complex off-piste routes, or aggressive après-ski will likely find the resort too tame. It is designed for learning and convenience rather than extreme winter sports.

Getting there

The closest airport is Scandinavian Mountains Airport (SCR), located approximately 25 km from the resort. The nearest major rail hub is Mora.

External links

• SkiStar Lindvallen Official Site
• Experium Sälen
• Scandinavian Mountains Airport
• Dalatrafik (Local Transport)

Written by the Alps2Alps editorial team.

This guide is published by Alps2Alps for general information only. It is not affiliated with Wikipedia or any resort, airport, or lift operator. Facts were accurate at the time of writing; always check official sources before travel.