Winter Wilderness Adventure in Sweden
Take in the sublime Swedish winter as you Nordic ski through an astonishing alpine environment
What's Included?
Small Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 10 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Experience the magic of winter in Sweden, learning how to Nordic ski amongst the silent, snow-clad landscape
Traverse fells and forests to set up camp on a vast mountain plateau in the Fulufjället National Park
Stay in a cosy remote off-grid cabin on the banks of Lake Navar and enjoy a warming Swedish sauna
Key Information
Day 1
Head for your base by Lake Navar
The trip begins as you head to your base on the banks of Lake Navar, surrounded by tall forested hills. This is where you'll spend the week, however your Scandanavian winter playground is spread across a range of locations. You'll explore Rännkölen and the Anjosvarden Nature Reserve, which are at semi-high elevations, as well as the alpine plateau of Fulufjället National Park. The exact location for each day will depend on the weather and snow conditions.
When you arrive at the lodge in the evening, you'll settle in and enjoy getting to know the group over dinner.
Day 2
Explore your winter playground
Skiing
Today is all about getting a feel for snow, trying out your gear and getting used to moving in the outdoors during winter. You want to be sure that everything is just right before heading off on longer journeys.
Rännkölen is a stunning open landscape of snow-covered frozen mires and sparse trees, surrounded by deep boreal forests with tall ancient pines. It's an ideal area for your first steps on Nordic skis with small variations in elevation and actual tracks to follow. You'll make a fire along the way, grill some sandwiches and heat up a warming cup of soup. Don't forget your Thermos flask filled with a hot drink.
A sauna is the perfect way to end the day and as per Swedish tradition, the brave can run out of the sauna, roll around in the snow, and then head back into the warmth again. An optional, highly invigorating, shock to the system!
Day 3
Anjosvarden Nature Reserve
Skiing
Drive further north to the Anjosvarden Nature Reserve, a true wilderness that is sometimes called Sweden’s most southern alpine mountain peak. The journey towards the peak offers some steeper inclines but is mostly on quite flat terrain over frozen mires. Once at the top, you'll enjoy lunch at the log shelter and if the weather is clear, you get a beautiful view of the Transtrand and Fulufjället mountains to the west. Along the way you’ll pass low lonely trees completely covered in snow. They create fantastic shapes and their forms are often the subject of photographs from this wild and unique nature reserve.
Day 4
Fulufjället National Park
Skiing
Feeling confident on your skis by now, if weather conditions allow, you’ll head off for a three-day excursion to Fulufjället, close to the Norwegian border.
The skis have built-in 'skins' which give them a good grip when going uphill. After the initial ascent, you'll spend a couple of hours skiing across the vast alpine plateau. By late afternoon it’s time to set up camp, cook dinner and simply enjoy this amazing place. The solitude up here and the sounds of the wind sweeping across the plains are hard to describe in words. You’ll spend the night either in a tent, or if you’re keen, a bivouac of your own making. Each group member will pull a small sled with all the gear needed to comfortably stay for two nights outdoors in sub-zero temperatures.
Day 5
Fulufjället National Park
Skiing
Wake up to the stunning views of the expansive plateau. These are true alpine conditions, white as far as the eye can see, with no trees and an amazing vista of the lowlands spreading out below.
Today you’ll leave your winter camp behind and head off for a day trip across the plateau. You may ski to the “altar ring”, an ancient monument that’s considered Sweden’s highest altar of worship. It was likely built by the Sámi, who have inhabited this area for thousands of years.
Darkness falls early this time of year, and you’ll be back at camp by the afternoon. You’ll spend the evening together in a yurt, where you can all hang out, cook dinner and do some wood carving, protected from the elements. One of the many amazing properties of snow is that you can dig and form your own structures. By digging a canal for your legs, voilà, you've got yourself a couch and a table! Light up some lanterns and candles, put down some sheep skins and you have a cosy living room on the snowy wind-swept plateau.
Day 6
Back to base
Skiing
You’ll take your time descending to the valley, downhill is indeed the trickier part of Nordic skiing. It's then a 2 hour drive back from the base cabin. Enjoy a final dinner with the group and take one last sauna.
Day 7
Time to head home
Wake up for the last time in your Swedish paradise and after a hearty breakfast you'll begin the journey home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Mora train station
17:30 on Day 1
Ends
Mora train station
12:00 on Day 7
Transfers
Your adventure will begin at 17:30 on Day 1 when you'll be picked up by your host from Mora train station. There is time to fly in on the first day and take the train to Mora for this time.
Your adventure ends at 12:00 on Day 7. There is time to catch a late flight out on this day from Stockholm Arlanda, or you can stay the night somewhere close to your place of departure.
Travel options
From Stockholm Arlanda Airport: take the train from the airport to Mora, it takes 3 hrs 25 mins. If you're combining this trip with a visit to Stockholm, you can take the Arlanda Express to the city (20 mins). You can then take the train from Stockholm Central to Mora, 3 hrs 45 mins.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
You'll be feasting on delicious food prepared from scratch. Every morning you'll enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out for the day. Packed lunches out on the trails might include warm soup in a thermos with bread, or your host may cook up a pasta dish on a Trangia stove. Back at base you'll cook reviving stews for dinner together.
Vegetarian, vegan and most other dietary requirements can be accommodated on the trip.
What is the accommodation like?
Lake Navar
You'll spend up to six nights in an rustic, off-grid lodge in the wilderness, an hour northwest of Mora. In a remote valley completely surrounded by wooded hills, you find Lake Navar. On the lake's shore lies a charming grand cabin, a small cottage and a sauna. You'll have the area exclusively to yourselves. The rooms and cottage are twin-share. Wood-fired heaters will keep you warm, and lanterns and candles will give you light as well as adding to the cosy, rustic atmosphere. A sauna and melted snow will provide your 'bath', and a magical winter landscape is right on your doorstep.
Fulufjället National Park
If weather conditions allow it, you’ll spend two nights alpine camping in top quality 2-person tents. All the equipment you need will be provided (sleeping bags, mattresses and camping pillows). There will also be a modern yurt-style communal tent for dinner. You'll all pitch in with communal tasks around camp.
Upgrades
Due to the remote nature of the accommodation on this trip, it is not possible to upgrade to a solo room/tent.
An amazing trip with good company. Thomas and Rob were fantastic guides and the kit was of the highest quality. Most of the group had no skiing experience, but that was no problem. Winter camping, skiing, snowshoeing, off-grid cabin, sauna + ice hole, building then sleeping in snow caves, delicious food, northern lights; this trip is definitely one I would recommend.
What an incredible experience! It was the perfect way to detach, have fun, immerse in nature, challenge myself & meet so many great people. Thomas & Rob were fantastic guides, the kit was top notch and the food just amazing!!
Utterly amazing trip!! Would def recommend. Rob & Thomas are great guides, who've put a lot of thought into creating such a fantastic experience. Beautiful location, stunning scenery and good quality kit to manage the cold!
Fantastic adventure with great guides
Incredible experience on the Backcountry Skiing in Sweden trip. Our guides, Thomas and Rob, were super fun, highly professional and were so skilled in all things outdoors. We had a great time skiing, Nordic skating and even digging our own snow bivouacs for the night! Couldn’t recommend the adventure more!
A fantastic trip in good company, Thomas and Rob were gracious hosts and guides. Skating over a frozen lake was the definite highlight of the trip. Unfortunately un-forecasted bad weather curtailed our skiing expedition, but we got to dig, and sleep in, snow caves instead; which was great, and surprisingly cosy, experience.
Loved this introduction to Nordic skiing and winter camping. Thomas & team do a fantastic job of tailoring trips to the level of adventure the group are looking for and provide great kit and delicious food. Dalarna is stunningly beautiful in winter. Thanks Thomas, Rob & Helena!
I really loved the trip, we got to experience so much in a short time and have some incredible experiences like ice skating over a frozen lake, back country skiing and digging our own ski bivvies and sleeping in them which was incredible. The guides Thomas and Rob were also really great and really made the experience. The whole trip was great and I would do it all again!
I had a wonderful time on this trip and would highly recommend it. The local guides were excellent, and the group as a whole was great fun to be part of. The hightlight for me was definitely a 3 day trip up into Fulufjället National Park, spectacular scenery and a great experience camping and staying in the mountain cabin.
I can't recommend this trip highly enough. I had never skied before, but it was not a problem. The local host was fantastic. Thomas & Rob are friendly, experienced, and skilled at matching the trip to the forecasted weather.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's Included
- Top quality skiing equipment (Nordic skis, backcountry ski boots, day pack, ski goggles and gloves - windproof, water resistant)
- Top quality camping equipment (2-person tent, communal yurt, polar down sleeping bag, camping pillow, insulated inflatible sleeping mattress, head torch, shovel, cooking gear)
- A small sled to pull your belongings
- Thermos flasks (for both food and water) and drinking bottle
What you need to bring
In cold environments, you'll need to rely on a layering system so that you can add and remove layers to adjust your temperature accordingly, particularly when you are doing intense activity. You will need a base layer, mid layers, and a shell layer. Whilst one mid-layer such as a fleece can be enough, you'll also want extra warmth during rest stops or on particularly cold days - this is where your 'reinforcement layer' (such as an insulated down jacket) comes in.
CLOTHING
- Winter shell jacket with hood to protect against wind and snow, ideally hard shell such as Gore-Tex with armpit vents (available to hire)
- Winter shell trousers - Gore-Tex or similar windproof, water resistant and breathable material with side vents to release excess heat and integrated gaiters/snow lock (available for hire)
- 'Reinforcement layer' - lightweight insulated down/synthetic down jacket (available for hire)
- Mid-layers for skiing - warm wool sweater or fleece recommended (available for hire)
- Thermal base layers for skiing (full length, long-sleeved, wool/merino wool recommended, avoid cotton)
- Beanie/woolly hat x 2 (1 x thinner one for activewear, 1 x thicker one for breaks/colder days)
- Gloves (simple pair)
- Buff/neck snood/scarf (fleece/wool/merino wool)
- Thick wool socks (at least 2 pairs, to wear over a thinner pair)
- Thinner wool socks (ideally a clean pair for each day)
- Winter boots suitable for walking in snow
- Cozy clothing for wilderness lodge chill time
OTHER
- Towel (and swimwear for sauna)
- Suitable UV-blocking sunglasses, ideally with a wrap-around design
- High SPF sun block
- Personal toiletries
- Camera/phone
- Pre-charged power bank
What can you hire?
The following Houdini winter clothing kit is available for hire but must be pre-booked in advance. See Optional Extras for costs.
WINTER KIT HIRE:
- PowerHoudi – Polartec fleece hoodie
- Mr./Mrs. Dunfri – Primaloft lightweight synthetic down (mid or lighter reinforcement layer)
- RollerCoaster Jacket – Fully featured mountaineering shell jacket
- RollerCoaster Trousers – Waterproof and breathable 3-layer shell pants for skiing and mountaineering
EXTRA WINTER KIT HIRE:
- Bouncer Jacket – Padded with Primaloft synthetic insulation that provides incredible warmth
WINTER KIT: Fleece hoodie, lightweight synthetic down jacket, shell jacket & pants
Payable Before Departure
WINTER KIT: Fleece hoodie, lightweight synthetic down jacket, shell jacket & pants
… Per Person
EXTRA WINTER KIT: Padded insulated jacket
Payable Before Departure
EXTRA WINTER KIT: Padded insulated jacket
… Per Person
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 219kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
It’s all about equipment and knowledge. You’ll use Hilleberg Staika free-standing tents, Exped’s inflatable Downmats and Fjällräven Polar down sleeping bags. These are all made for much colder temperatures than you will experience on this trip. One trick you’ll use for warming up right as you go to sleep is a water bottle filled with hot water wrapped in a sock in your sleeping bag.
When it’s cold out, it's best to minimise time spent without warm gloves on (you’ll be provided knitted large “Lovika” wool mittens to go on top of your own gloves for extra warmth at camp). You’ll keep cooking to a minimum for this reason. But that certainly doesn’t mean that you won’t eat delicious food! Our wilderness chef has prepared an array of hearty soups and stews for you to reheat.
You may have heard of a yurt, a circular tent traditionally used by nomadic people on the steppes of Central Asia. You’ll use a modern style Hilleberg yurt you can all hang out in and cook dinner in during the evenings, protected from the elements.
See what you need to bring and optional extras for how to dress for winter activities.
It is very much a maybe on this trip, as you’ll spend your time working on your Nordic skiing skills. However, if the weather is too severe for skiing one day, we may head off to Lake Orsa to try Nordic skating.
Flying across frozen lakes on touring skates is one of the best feelings winter has to offer, yet so few outside of Scandinavia ever get the chance to experience it. There is a reason – Nordic skating requires 'perfect' conditions. The ice has to be thick enough, but it cannot be covered with snow. It also takes a bit of practice to be able to move fast.
The ice on Lake Orsa will definitely be very thick, but it may be snow-covered. However, the local skating club ploughs a long wide track on the ice. It’s not the same as glistening clear ice, but the surroundings are very beautiful in their own right. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn, so this will be an introduction to Nordic skating. We may also be lucky and find that the snow on the lake has melted away, as the lake is at a much lower elevation than our locations for skiing, so it’s certainly possible.
Whilst most of our trips are exclusive to Much Better Adventures, due to the nature of this destination and the design of the trip, this particular host also sells this adventure via other channels. This means that it’s possible that your group may consist of people who haven't booked through the Much Better Adventures website. But rest assured, anyone booking this trip is in search of an active, outdoors adventure, just as you are!
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
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