Kiruna

Experiencing the northern lights is on many people's bucket list. Travellers from around the world head north to experience the celestial phenomenon, hoping to snap a picture of it. Been there, done that. But then some live with the northern lights as a lifestyle. Meet photographer Mia Stålnacke, the one who stops the northern lights.

• People,

Eating well is part of every journey. Well, it could be the whole reason for the trip. This is the food story.

• Taste,

There is this one hotel room that looks like a bird's nest, and another resembles a UFO. Then there is the hotel where a ruin from an old train workshop runs straight through the kitchen, and the wine cellar is an old grease pit. There is also the hotel in the middle of town that cleans the air to the same extent an entire forest would. We travel between excellent accommodation options in Swedish Lapland.

• Design,
• Places,

So you've gone to Swedish Lapland, Sweden's Arctic destination, to experience the magical northern lights. Here are seven tips on how to get some good pictures of the beautiful light phenomenon to take back home.

• Nature,

Many think autumn is the most beautiful time of year in Swedish Lapland. It's as if Earth itself grants a generous firework display of colour before the winter sleep settles over the Arctic landscape. And it's easy to capture the show with a camera on standby. These are five simple tips for capturing autumn in a photo.

• Nature,

Many towns, mountains, rivers in Swedish Lapland bear the names given to them by the Sámi people, usually describing their characteristics. When reading a map of Swedish Lapland, knowing the meaning of some Sámi words adds another, fascinating dimension to the landscape.

• Culture,
• Nature,

In Sámi it's called Geargevággi, which translates to Stone Valley in English. But in real life, it might as well be a fairytale.

• Places,

If it's your first time visiting Swedish Lapland during the summer, you'll notice that it never gets dark. You have entered the world of the midnight sun, and if you're not used to it, it's an extraordinary experience. But beware, it might affect your sleep quality.

• Nature,

Running is in human nature. Long before urbanisation, jogging and rubber-soled shoes made tarmac commonplace, we kept to the trails. These days, trail running is enjoying a renaissance. Running for the experience and running for those who prefer personal challenges to personal bests.

• Adventure,

A road trip is simply a way of discovering things you've never seen before. If you give yourself the chance, you might also come across flavours you've never experienced before.

• Taste,

When you visit Swedish Lapland, you will notice that our food culture is closely intertwined with our lifestyle. There is a strong tradition that testifies to how we have lived from what nature has generously provided us with for many millennia. Join us on a guided tour of our natural resources, taking the shortest possible route to the plate.

• Taste,

Small-scale, hosting and proximity to nature. Curiosity, knowledge and learning. During her visit to Geunja the Sámi Eco Lodge in the mountain landscape surrounding Ammarnäs, Maria lived in complete harmony with nature. Something happened there, and an inner journey commenced.

• Culture,
• Lifestyle,
• Nature,
• Places,

The barren and vast mountain landscape in the far north, called Sandåslandet – the land of the sand ridges – is as popular amongst devoted fly fishers as suitable for adventurers on fat bikes. I pack my fat bike with enough equipment to last for a week. And I’m off.

• Adventure,

The King's Trail runs through Sweden's most beautiful mountain scenery and provides more than 400 kilometres' worth of hiking adventure for the first-time hiker as well as the truly experienced mountain veteran. It is one of the world's most famous hiking trails, and the stage between Abisko and Nikkaluokta is the most-travelled trail in all of Sweden.

• Adventure,
• Bucket list,
• Nature,

When in Swedish Lapland, exploring the nature of the Arctic, chasing the northern lights or just soaking up the sun 24/7, make sure you don’t miss out on the food. Some of the food we eat might sound a bit strange, but we highly recommend you try and get a taste of Swedish Lapland.

• Taste,

Hiking can be an amazing experience, but it can also turn into a real challenge. Spending time in the mountains means you have to be able to rely on yourself, your knowledge and your choices. We've put together some good advice below to make sure you have an amazing – and safe – mountain experience.

• Adventure,
• Nature,
• Places,

In 2008 photographer Chad Blakley moved to Abisko to work the summer season. He followed the love of his life: Linnea. They both quickly fell for the breath-taking landscape and the welcoming people in the village. So, Chad and Linnea decided to stay the winter as well. But it would be many more summers and winters in Abisko.

• People,

You might think that in the Arctic, we have darkness or daylight. In the winter, the sun never rises above the horizon, and in the summer, the sun never sets. But in fact, we have light all year round. Just different kinds of light. Some darker, some brighter, and some very colourful.

• Nature,

National parks are areas featuring a certain type of landscape, protected to preserve their natural condition. It's about creating opportunities to experience nature. Swedish Lapland has the most, the oldest and the largest national parks in Sweden.

• Nature,

In the village of Jukkasjärvi, outside Kiruna, lies the original ICEHOTEL. Every year, since 1989, it has been reincarnated in a new rendition and there’s always more to come. From the beginning this was kind of a crazy idea in the winter, nowadays it’s as crazy all year round.

• Bucket list,
• Design,
• Places,

Snow is something more than frozen water to the Sámi people. It's a way of expressing the foundation of their existence – the migration of the reindeer. To a skier, snow is also more than snow. It's the way you experience life.

• Nature,

Abisko National Park, in Swedish Lapland, offers some of the best conditions in the world for northern lights watching. The unique climate of the area keep the skies almost clear, and the light pollution is next to nothing. And here, you also find the Aurora Sky Station.

• Nature,
• Places,

The sauna Solar Egg was created by Riksbyggen together with artist duo Bigert & Bergström and installed in Kiruna. Since then the sauna has become a global success and taken on a tour around the world.

• Design,

Niehku means dream in Northern Sámi. In Riksgränsen two friends have built a hotel. One of them used to run the piste machine and is now a mountain guide. The other one used to run moguls and has become Sweden's most famous sommelier. These days they run a hotel together. Living the dream.

• Design,
• Places,

Are you curious about what kind of plants that grow in the harsh mountain climate? Ever wondered what that cute, white flower is called that you passed several times on your hike? Göran Wallin gives you a quick guide to the flora of the Swedish Lapland mountains.

• Nature,

In Swedish Lapland, nature plays an intrinsic role in our life and work, and the people here are highly sensitive to the small details of the changing seasons. Therefore, it seems only natural that the Sámi people describe eight seasons instead of four.

• Culture,
• Nature,

It is December and the landscape is covered in a white blanket; trees are heavy with snow and the roads are white. The dense mid-winter darkness creates a blue light during a few hours, and windows are lit up by advent stars and candlesticks. Christmas is here.

• Culture,

Our home, Swedish Lapland, has been formed by the Ice Age, the seasons and the reindeer. And we, too, have lived our lives in the shadow of the forces of nature.

• Culture,
• Lifestyle,
• Nature,

Scouting out the 'Big Five' on the African savannah is the big dream of many. They include leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and African buffalo and is a group of large, majestic and fairly dangerous animals. Here in the Arctic part of Sweden, we don't have animals the size of an elephant or with the speed of a leopard, but we have a fair few animals that are pretty cool in their own way. Below we have listed five animals that are both unique and fascinating, definitely worth putting on a list of must-see animals.

• Nature,

When the sun never sets, and the kids are on summer holiday. When holidays are waiting around the corner and meadows explode with wood cranesbill. That's when long lines of cars queue up to get out of the cities. It's time to go find tranquillity with friends and family in summer houses and holidays homes, away from the hustle and bustle. It's time to celebrate the most important holiday of the summer. It's midsummer.

• Culture,

It's all about turning. No jumps, no flips, no rails. Just the beautiful art of being able to turn on a snowboard. But apart from that Riks Banked Slalom is just a great happening in May.

• Adventure,
• Bucket list,

What happens when you combine a delicious dining experience with the world's best location for the northern lights? Well, perhaps you can call it a perfect night at the Station.

• Places,

Places still exist where there's no point asking for the password for the wifi. Places where you leave your mobile behind to spend some quality time with others – or perhaps with yourself.  The Sámi eco-lodge Geunja and the camp in Tjuonajokk are two of Swedish Lapland's finest.

• Lifestyle,

Kristoffer Turdell from Gällivare is the newly-crowned champion of Freeride World Tour, the World championship of Extreme skiing. His scene may be all the mountains in the world, but it's still a run from last season he remembers most vividly. On Duolbagorni in Swedish Lapland.

• Lifestyle,

The world's most successful trail runner, Tina Emelie Forsberg, ran the entire King's Trail in summer 2018. When others take three to four weeks to do a 'through hike', Emelie ran it in less than five days.

• Adventure,
• Bucket list,

Perhaps summer and swimming isn't what first springs to mind when you think of Swedish Lapland. But, in fact, there are plenty of cool beaches and places to go for a swim – thanks to the inland ice.

• Lifestyle,

Spring-winter in Swedish Lapland is something else. And when it arrives, the mountain cabins along the King's Trail opens up

• Adventure,

Imagine a holiday without a single update in the feed. With Facebook quiet as a summer's night and with birdsong dominating over the buzz of mobile phones. Tjuonajokk, on the Kaitum River, is a place of pilgrimage when you want to go beyond coverage.

• Lifestyle,
• Nature,
• Places,

Are you en route to Swedish Lapland, wondering what souvenirs to shop for? We've listed some helpful tips for you.

• Lifestyle,

Autumn… It can be really boring… and dreary… and just… just wonderful! Autumn is so immediate; it makes its first appearance after a chilly night and then moves on at full speed. Its colours and clear air must be experienced in the same immediate way: right now!

• Adventure,
• Nature,

There are a lot of great climbing routes in the Kebnekaise massif. Pick a route based on knowledge and experience, or on what you feel like doing. One of the most well-known routes is the 'Silhouette' on Duolbagorni. A 1,000-metre wall. We'll choose a different route for today.

• Adventure,

The Midnight Sun. The feeling of never having to face tomorrow, just keep having fun and enjoy the never-ending day, is absolutely wonderful. But. Those who depend on their beauty sleep will face certain challenges.

• Nature,

It is really true that anyone can walk around the forests and beaches of Swedish Lapland? Pick berries and pitch a tent anywhere? Yep, that's exactly what it's like in the democratic forest.

• Lifestyle,
• Nature,

That Swedes have their fika (coffee and a snack), and that they drink lots of coffee, are well-known facts. But what's the thing about having it outdoors? What's the deal with coffee boiled over an open fire?

• Lifestyle,
• Taste,

Photographer Mattias Fredriksson started out as a cleaner at Hotel Riksgränsen. Then he picked up a camera. Today he's the most published skiing photographer in the world, still with a soft spot for the old mountain hotel in his heart.

• Lifestyle,

The author and fly fisherman Gunnar Westrin feels most at home in the most barren of landscapes. This is how Sandåslandet north of Kiruna became one of his retreats in life.

• Lifestyle,

Last year, in February, three of the world's greatest freeskiers, Reine Barkered, Aurelien Ducroz and Jackie Paaso, went to Björkliden to see the northern lights and do some skiing. I called up Reine to ask how their trip went. And some other stuff too.

• Adventure,

Shimmery and magical. The dance of the Northern Lights are a spectacular sight that we frequently enjoy in Swedish Lapland. Viewing the Aurora Borealis is both a jaw-dropping and mystical experience. But what time of year is the best time to see them?

• Nature,

I'm travelling to Swedish Lapland this winter, how should I dress for the cold climate? Check out this guide for dressing for winter in Swedish Lapland.

• Lifestyle,

Sámi design comes in many shapes. From traditional leather hats to a blue dress at the Nobel Banquet. Some of Sweden's coolest designers have taken the Sámi expression further – to put some excitement into everyday life.

• Culture,
• Design,

The town transformation in Kiruna has received attention in Sweden as well as internationally – never before has such a large community been transformed. The reason is that mining has caused subsidence which affects the town, and parts of Kiruna have to be rebuilt elsewhere, on new ground.

• Lifestyle,
• Places,

Johanna hasn't ridden a horse for 13 years; Carl-Johan has never sat on a horse in his life. Follow them on a horseback tour through the Kiruna mountains with the guide Kerstin from Ofelaš Icelandic Horses, a Sami company certified by Nature's Best.

• Adventure,
• Nature,

The most common way to experience King’s Trail (Kungsleden) is walking or skiing in a comfortable pace. But there are other ways – come along on an up-tempo journey through the scenic mountains of Swedish Lapland when Krissy, Luke and Fredrik takes on the challenge of spending a week running along this famous trail.

• Adventure,

When Agata Mieczko from Italy first heard about the King's Trail, she knew she had to walk it. It turned out be a life-changing experience.

• Adventure,

The Arctic climate calls for certain innovations to master the art of ice fishing. To close a door on the cold, be comfortable and catch a fish you sometimes need a whole house. But inside the house things are as they should: the smell of coffee on the stove, newly-baked cinnamon buns and today's latest gossip.

• Lifestyle,

When the rest of Sweden prepare for spring, Björkliden and Riksgränsen open for the winter season. Håkan Stenlund goes north, to the playground of the fanatics.

• Adventure,

One thousand, two hundred and twenty-eight metres above sea level is where you find Sweden’s highest mountain station: Låktatjåkko. It takes you a couple of hours to walk there from Björkliden and half-way is probably where you’ll start craving the waffles.

• Places,

The sun literally doesn’t set, you simply get more hours of fun into your day. And if you’re into photography the light during hundred days without night will pose both new challenges and help you evolve.

• Nature,

Being outdoors is a natural part of the arctic lifestyle, and during winter – skiing is the way to go. Pro or beginner, Swedish Lapland offers it all. You just need to find your flavour among our resorts. Here is our top five for downhill skiing like a champ!

• Adventure,
• Places,

How to make the most of the autumn in Swedish Lapland as a biking nerd. Follow Olov and his friends on a epic downhill biking adventure in Björkliden and Abisko, where the scenery leaves them astounded.

• Adventure,
• Lifestyle,

Olov, a true biking enthusiast packed his bike and went up the mountains, took a dip in the Atlantic ocean and rode along the sandy beaches on the islands of Swedish Lapland. And he brought a friend – Kevin. Let's play 'Have you met Kevin?'

• Adventure,
• People,

My relationship with Kebnekaise was established long before I saw her in real life. I'm a bit uncertain as to whether it's right to assign a gender to a mountain or not. But the Kebnekaise I first got to know was a woman, that’s for sure.

• Adventure,
• Bucket list,

The resort Riksgränsen is situated on the border of Sweden and Norway — just as the name in Swedish suggests. This is the last outpost and when the blizzards reign, also where the road ends. Nevertheless, the train stop is less than one hundred metres from the hotel and the base station of the ski lifts.

• Adventure,
• Places,