Skiing Sweden's King's trail, Arctic Circle, Sweden

Western Europe’s third-largest country, but with a population of only 9 million people, Sweden remains one of the last areas of wilderness this side of Siberia. In early spring the Arctic landscape of northern Sweden is particularly impressive, with long sunny days, crisp clean air and majestic snow-covered peaks and frozen lakes. Some 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, the Abisko National Park is located in the region known as Swedish Lapland or 'Sapmi.'

Abisko is well known as one of the best places in the world to experience the stunning Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. This fabulous ski tour through this winter wonderland begins with 2 nights in Abisko. Then, after a day’s instruction in basic techniques, we ski off into the wilderness, traversing dramatic valleys and glorious viewpoint passes, as we follow the first part of the route of the Kungsleden or 'King's Trail.' This is a truly classic ski tour and will appeal to experienced back country skiers. However, it is also sufficiently straightforward that it can reasonably be completed by occasional downhill skiers with no prior ski touring experience, providing they have a good basic level of fitness. Accompanied by a local ski-guide, the daily distances covered will average 15 kilometres each day, with only modest amounts of ascent.

We overnight in excellent mountains huts, some of which have saunas - the perfect place to relax after a full day in the cold, crisp air. Dog-sledges provide support, carrying the group’s equipment from one hut to the next and this means that group members need to carry no more than a light daypack with those items needed during the day. Our route takes us generally southwards from Abisko, following an interconnected series of valleys, before turning eastwards via Kebnekaise (2117m), Sweden’s highest peak. All ski touring equipment can be hired locally.