Ski Holidays in Vemdalen, Sweden

• Vemdalen Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction
  Very Easy Runs	4
  Easy Runs	6
  Medium Runs	4
  Difficult Runs	3
  Toughest Run Name
  Skiable Vertical	340m
  Number Of Lifts	8
  Top Lift Height	930m
  Night Skiing	N
  Snowboarding Parks	1
  Half Pipes	1
  Swimming Pools	0
  Night Clubs	1
  Mountain Restaurants	4

• Vemdalen Piste Map+

  

• Vemdalen Transfer Times+

  Stockholm:	0 minutes
  :	0 minutes

Vemdalen is a little known resort outside Sweden, with quite a small resort base and a small ski area too.

However the very 'small and unknown internationally' nature of the resort is appealing to many. It is quiet, laid back and very well managed, making it a particularly good choice for beginners, families and early intermediates.


Skiing is available on a small local ski hill as well as at two neighbouring resorts - Klovsjo and Bjornrilke, each of which can be accessed by a paid ski bus in the morning and evening. Vemdalen's own ski area was expanded in 2006 with the addition of a brand new ski area on Mount Skalsfjället.

The resort is owned by SkiStar, the largest ski resort operator in Scandinavia, which runs the main ski areas in the region including Are, also in Sweden, and Hemsedal in Norway. The company operates a snow guarantee at Vemdalen which promises that at least 24 pistes are open when you visit and a minimum skiable vertical of 350 metres is available for at least one run.

The resort typically opens between mid- October and mid-November but the guarantee begins a month later (when packages from the UK begin), through to late April. Vemdalen is in fact well situated for snowsure winters, the ski areas being located at quite a high altitude by Scandinavian standards, with cold but stable weather. SkiStar have also invested heavily in more snowmaking for the resort.

• Skiing for Beginners+

  Vemdalen is an excellent place for beginners to get on the slopes for the first time. There are excellent nursery slopes that are a short walk from your accommodation, prices are reasonable and the English-speaking ski school is highly regarded.
  
  Once you've learned the basics, the network of gentle, uncrowded slopes all lead back to the ski base so it's almost impossible to get lost.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  Vemdalen's pistes are located on both sides of the valley and are divided evenly between above and below treeline skiing. SkiStar has invested in a new six-passenger chairlift which has opened up the Skalsfjallet area and added more pistes for all abilities.
  
  Hildingsbacke (number 13), a run down from Skalsfjallet across the valley is a good long cruising trail. Pensionaren is the longest run at two kilometres.
  
  The skiing variety can be extended by a visit to Bjornrike or Klovsjo/Storhogna on the lift pass, and there's night skiing several evenings each week.

• Advanced+

  Vemdalen has limited opportunities for advanced skiers, with three black runs covering about 1.5km (a mile) of piste. The Hovdebacken black run (number 6) is the resort's longest, descending from the top of
  Hovde and often covered in bumps.
  
  Another good black is Vastpuckeln (Number 8). The ski school can also take you to powder slopes to enjoy some off piste freeriding terrain.
  
  Nearby Klövsjö is a 'must ski' during your stay (and included in your lift ticket) as it boasts some of the toughest runs in the country laid out below the summit, which unusually has the gentlest runs at the top.

• Snowboarding at Vemdalen+

  The new six-seater chairlift Skalsfjallet that opened in 2006 allowed the resort to create a new terrain park complete with jumps and rails in addition to the existing park and half pipe.
  
  The rest of the resort's skiing provides some good freeride trerrain, with the normally low temperatures helping to maintain snow integrity and keep the powder dry long after fresh snow falls. On the downside however, a lot of the original lifts are drags, including the dreaded T Bars.

• Other Activities And Facilities at Vemdalen+

  Alternatives out on the snow and ice include curling, dog sledding, snowmobiling, Icelandic pony trekking and ice climbing.
  
  Cross country skiers will find more than 180 km of marked trails leading into the surrounding wilderness or to one of the neighbouring villages. The groomed cross-country tracks cover 50km for classic as well as freestyle skiing. Ski touring maps are sold in Gästservice/Sportinformation
  
  There's a bowling alley right in the middle of Vemdalen village. There' s also a ski hire shop, coffee shop and a good-sized supermarket in resort.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  Vemdalen has a limited selection of bars and restaurants so you'll soon become friends with the staff at your favourite place. Baggen, as well as Skalets Bar and Bistro in the main Högfjällshotellet, are the
  main après ski venues.
  
  The bistro serves everything from pasta dishes to fondue and the hotel has also recently added a sushi bar. For a more refined venue try the piano bar
  
  Also in the hotel there's Italian cuisine at the Pizzeria Kalas which also does takeaway. Later on Baggen offers either disco nights or live music, and on Thursday nights usually classic dancing to dance bands.

• Ski Holidays in Vemdalen suitable for Families+

  Vemdalen's ski school will look after children from age two, and is very proud of the quality of its childcare. The resort's Lill-Skalet for children has recently been expanded and renovated.
  
  There is a dedicated part of the ski area for children from three years old. The ski school offers special one hour lessons available in resort for three year olds.
  
  Family activities are organised, and there are free lift passes for children aged up to eight.