Lofsdalen is a compact Swedish ski resort deep in the Härjedalen province that strikes an unusual balance. Most small Scandinavian resorts cater exclusively to families on gentle gradients. Lofsdalen certainly has wide, forgiving slopes, but it also packs a surprisingly steep vertical drop. It feels considerably larger than its piste map suggests, offering a traditional mountain village experience without the overwhelming scale of the Alpine mega-resorts. If you want a quiet week of skiing where you actually get to know the lift operators, this is the place.
Mountain culture & milestones
Lofsdalen began as a small farming and forestry community near the pilgrim trails of central Sweden. People originally came here for the hunting and fishing around Lake Lofssjön. When winter sports gained traction in the late twentieth century, the village slowly added its first T-bar lifts.
It never tried to compete with the sprawling resorts of Dalarna or Jämtland. Instead, it leaned into its quiet, wilderness atmosphere. In 2023, Swedish travel agents voted it the country’s best mountain destination at the Grand Travel Awards. Mount Hovärken dominates the local skyline and serves as the anchor for all alpine activities, but the village retains its tight-knit feel.
If you ski with children, you will inevitably meet Loffe, the resort’s blue bear mascot. According to local lore, Loffe was born brown but ate so many blueberries on the mountain that his fur changed colour.
Valley bases: where to stay
Accommodation in Lofsdalen is heavily concentrated near the lake and the lift base. The resort has around 10,000 tourist beds, so the valley can hold a significant number of visitors, but almost everyone stays within walking distance of the snow.
| Base area | Vibe |
|---|---|
| Lofsdalen Village | The central hub. Cabins, apartments, the local supermarket, and direct access to the lower chairlifts. |
| Hovärken Slopeside | Ski-in/ski-out cabins perched slightly higher on the mountain, offering quieter evenings and immediate piste access. |
Ski sectors at a glance
The ski area revolves around the single peak of Hovärken, which makes navigation extremely straightforward.
| Sector | Character |
|---|---|
| Lower Hovärken | Gentle, forest-lined green and blue runs that hold the snow well and provide shelter during high winds. |
| Upper Hovärken | Exposed, steeper red and black descents above the tree line with panoramic views across Härjedalen. |
The mountain & skiing
Lofsdalen has a 492-metre vertical drop – the highest in Sweden south of Åre. While that might sound modest compared to the Alps, it translates into long, sustained runs by Scandinavian standards.
The resort maintains 25 marked pistes and nine lifts. The lift infrastructure has seen heavy investment over the years, most notably the addition of two modern six-seater chairlifts: Lången Express and Toppen Express. These efficiently move skiers from the village up to the mid-station and the summit, virtually eliminating queues even during the busy Swedish sportlov (school holiday) weeks. A third key lift, Loffeliften, serves the dedicated children’s area.
Beginners usually stay on the lower slopes, where the forest provides natural windbreaks and the gradients are mild. The resort has three snow parks and a ski cross course, which give younger skiers a place to practice jumps and rollers.
Confident skiers spend their time on the upper mountain. Rännan is the standout challenge here – a black run with a sharp 42-degree pitch that requires solid edge control. If you prefer to cruise, the longest trail runs for 3.4 kilometres, winding its way gently down from the summit back to the valley floor.
Lofsdalen also offers accessible off-piste terrain. Because the crowds are smaller than at major resorts, the powder between the marked runs often stays untracked for days after a storm.
The village & après-ski
The village is genuinely quiet. You will find a few restaurants, cafés, and a well-stocked supermarket, but if you are looking for table-dancing après-ski, you are in the wrong place.
The main attraction is the Lofsdalen Skybar at the 1,125-metre summit of Mount Hovärken. The glass-dome building claims to be Europe’s highest whiskey cellar, operating in collaboration with the Swedish distillery Mackmyra. It is a spectacular spot for an afternoon drink, offering 360-degree views across the peaks. On select evenings, the Skybar hosts exclusive fondue dinners, where guests are transported up the mountain in a snowcat cabin.
Down at the base, Restaurant Hovärken handles the bulk of the lunch and dinner traffic, occasionally hosting a relaxed, family-friendly afternoon après-ski session. For families, the local Activity Centre is a major draw when the ski day ends, offering an indoor playland and bowling alleys to keep younger visitors occupied.
Snow & season
Lofsdalen sits inland, which means it gets properly cold, reliable winters. The season usually runs from mid-December through to late April. To guarantee coverage on the lower sections and high-traffic areas, the resort relies on an extensive snowmaking system.
The region is highly regarded by the Nordic skiing community. Cross-country skiers have access to 122 kilometres of groomed trails that wind through the forests and across the frozen lake. These include everything from flat, scenic routes suitable for beginners, to demanding loops used by athletes for training. Because these tracks are sheltered by the tree line, they tend to hold snow well into the spring.
The area is also a major hub for snowmobiling, with 150 kilometres of dedicated tracks heading out into the wilderness. Many visitors split their week between downhill skiing, cross-country touring, and exploring the backcountry by snowmobile. Ice fishing on Lake Lofssjön is another traditional winter pastime that remains popular with locals and tourists alike.
Summer & year-round
When the snow melts, the focus moves to Lake Lofssjön and the surrounding trail network. The Lofsdalen Bike Park has grown rapidly, drawing downhill and enduro mountain bikers to the slopes of Hovärken.
Visitors also come for the fishing and the wildlife. Härjedalen is one of Sweden’s most bear-dense regions. Between June and July, visitors can book a night at the Lofsdalen Bear’s Den – a specially constructed wilderness cabin with viewing windows and camera ports – to safely watch wild brown bears in their natural habitat.
Safety & mountain etiquette
The upper slopes of Hovärken are highly exposed to the wind and often get icy. Chairlifts will close during severe gales, so pay attention to the morning weather reports before heading up.
If you venture off-piste, take avalanche safety gear. The terrain might look manageable from the chairlift, but the steep pitches near the summit can still slide. Even though the village is small, the surrounding wilderness is vast and unforgiving.
Who it suits best
Lofsdalen works perfectly for families and mixed-ability groups who want a calm, uncomplicated ski trip. It has enough steep terrain to keep confident skiers engaged for a few days, while beginners have plenty of safe space to learn.
However, experts looking to cover massive distances or ski a different valley every day might find themselves repeating runs by the end of a week.
Getting there
– Nearest airports: Sveg Airport (66 km), Åre Östersund Airport (208 km), Stockholm Arlanda Airport (390 km). – Nearest rail hub: Sveg.
External links
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.
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