Bydalen: The 5th Largest Ski Resort in Sweden

Introduction

Bydalen means ’village valley’ simply because it is a valley with a village in it. This has been the location for many ski holidays for almost a hundred years. Perhaps because it is a strategic location just an hour from Östersund or because it is one of the best ski areas in the eastern part of the Swedish-Norwegian mountain range. That means when the precipitation comes from the east, this is where it all deposits. Bydalen is not run by a big corporation with many greedy shareowners, which means they can run things like they want to – not according to what gives them the most money.  

For the Intermediate Ski Family

Sweden’s fifth largest ski resort has yet to have a single chair lift. Still, with 17 lifts and 40 pistes, they have what most beginners to intermediate skiers seek. Often, with their supplementary snow cannons, this area is one of the first in Sweden to get a good amount of snow, and combined makes for a stable ski base in the pistes. For someone looking for off-piste, there is some easy access to mostly forest skiing, but to get to more advanced areas, one needs to do some ski touring.

We would recommend traveling to Bydalen if you are looking to rent a cabin where you, as a family or company, can get away and ’just be you’ for a while. There are no big after-skis to disappear in other than hanging out as a team. If you are a family where it is more about being together and enjoying the skiing than hitting the exact angle on each turn – Bydalen will suit you perfectly.

Because the lifts are not hanging so high up into the air as a chair lift, the system is generally quite weather secured, and while there are some pistes above the tree line, most are below in much more shelter terrain.

We recommend going to Bydalen at the end of the season simply because of how much nicer it is to stand in the lifts when you are not cold. Still, you won’t be disappointed any time of the year.

How to get to Bydalen in Sweden

You can get to Bydalen by driving your car, which is the easiest way to get here. If you are traveling far, you can also go by train or airplane to Östersund and, from there on, rent a car to take you to Bydalen. However, with the added cost of renting a car, you might as well consider going to Åre and skipping the vehicle.

It is possible to take transportation by bus from Östersund, but this can be a bit tricky with all of your equipment, and the bus only goes once or twice per day and not always in connection to the flights or trains.

Accommodation

Bydalen has many cabins for rent, both privately owned and through a company such as Höglekardalens Semesterby. Still, you can also find accommodation in the hotel in the middle of the village and the valley. We recommend renting a cabin through Fjällhalsen because these lie a bit higher in the terrain, giving you excellent views. Also, during mid-winter, the sun does not always reach down into the valley – especially during morning and afternoon, so being high up gives you some extra sun. Be aware that the road up to Fjällhalsen can be a bit tricky unless you have a 4wd on your car.