Kiruna

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,

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,

King's Trail or Kungsleden, is Sweden's longest and most famous trail, and mostly frequented during summer, but it's an equally exiting adventure by skis during winter. Göran Wallin, keen outdoor enthusiasts, gives us the insides to this great trail through the mountains of Swedish Lapland

• Adventure,
• Bucket list,
• Nature,

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,

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,

You might think that in Arctic Sweden, 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,

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,

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 there are those who live with the northern lights as a lifestyle. Meet photographer Mia Stålnacke, the one who stops the northern lights.

• People,

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,

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,

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 Sami people describe eight seasons instead of four.

• Culture,
• Lifestyle,
• Nature,

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,

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,

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

• Design,

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,
• Lifestyle,
• Nature,
• Places,

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,

Two friends with a shared love for the Arctic lifestyle, both creative souls and designers, decided to share their love and designs with others. They collected their personal favourites from designers around Swedish Lapland in a small shop, which became a web shop, and now it wants to be even more.

• Design,
• People,

Verandan – the Veranda – is the new fine-dining restaurant at Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi. The food here takes you on a 12-course, exciting and flavourful trip, all overseen by the charismatic chef Alexander Meier.

• Places,
• Taste,

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

• Adventure,

People who have visited Riksgränsen during these last 20 years or so are familiar with "Strumpan" and "Jossi". 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.

• Lifestyle,
• Places,

Weddings. They can be lavish, intimate, fun, boring, and all of the above. No wedding is alike, as no people are alike. Some like barefoot weddings on beaches, some prefer getting married in a church made of ice and snow – 200 km above the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland.

• Bucket list,
• Places,

The world-famous ICEHOTEL outside Kiruna was initially just a crazy idea for the winter. These days it's just as crazy – but all year round.

• Bucket list,
• Design,
• Places,

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,

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,

Trail runners, here are the most challenging trail running races taking place in Swedish Lapland this summer!

• Adventure,
• Bucket list,

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,

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,

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,

It’s mid-March and people are gathering on the frozen Torne River in Jukkasjärvi. Behind us, the world-famed ICEHOTEL. But our eyes are fixated on the tractors hoisting up giant blocks of ice from the river. We’re looking at the next year’s hotel, yet to be carved out from the crystal clear ice. It’s harvest time.

• Places,

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,

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,

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,

Are you a fan of cooking shows on TV? So is Maria, a food enthusiast from Swedish Lapland, who finally got a chance to participate behind the scenes. That's what Chef's Table at Icehotel is all about – inviting the guest into the kitchen.

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,

Galileo Galilei gave the northern lights their Latin name Aurora Borealis. A fitting description, to say the least.

• 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,

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,

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,

A group of (kind of) ordinary people embarked on a 300 km journey over the Arctic tundra on dog sleds and we set out to meet them by the finish line. Just to find out - How was it?

• 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,

Snow is something more than frozen water to the Sami 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,

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,

The train from Kiruna, via Abisko, Björkliden, Låktatjåkko, to Riksgränsen isn't just a beautiful journey. If it's done right it can also be a culinary hit.

• Taste,

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,

Most of you probably heard about ICEHOTEL – right? And the next question that might pop into your mind is: What happens to it during summer? Since it’s made of ice, it naturally melts away and once again becomes a part of the Torne River. But there’s more to the story.

• Culture,

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,

Are you curious of 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,

So you’ve skied them all, you know your thrills and you think what else? Don’t take my word for it; heliskiing in Swedish Lapland need to be on your bucket list. Cold powder far into the season and even the option of trying it under the midnight sun. Here’s a taste of what you might expect.

• Adventure,

There is a wind of change blowing through Sápmi, culminating in the first ever Sápmi Pride festival in Kiruna this weekend. Gathering hundreds of people in a colourful parade along the city streets, manifesting the right to be Sámi and queer. But getting to this day has been a four year long walk.

• Culture,
• Lifestyle,
• People,

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,

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,

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,

Hiking is multidimensional. It offers something for your mind, and your body. If you hike along the King’s Trail in northernmost Swedish Lapland, you’ll see some of the most beautiful things Sweden has to offer. But good people, remember to be safe. You are, after all, in the Arctic.

• Adventure,

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,

A little over five years ago, photographer Chad Blakley and his wife moved to Abisko to take on seasonal summer jobs but quickly fell in love with the breath-taking landscape and warm people of Swedish Lapland.

• People,

It takes no little amount of courage to commit to spending a night on ice. Some have already planned a spot on the mantelpiece for the diploma that says you survived a night in minus five before boarding the plane to Kiruna. Others are more hesitant about the idea to sleep in a hotel made of ice and snow.

• Bucket list,
• Places,

ICEHOTEL has been reincarnated in a new rendition every winter for the last 27 seasons and there's more to come. First, let's take a walk down memory lane to find out how this frozen art project came about.

• Bucket list,
• Design,
• Places,

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,
• Nature,
• Places,

It is virtually impossible to correctly describe the sensation of the Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis. The magnificence of the oscillating lights in varying shapes and forms dancing across the sky is best experienced first-hand.

• Nature,

In the springtime, the water level in the forestland rivers of Swedish Lapland is perfect for white water rafting. The mountain area rivers follow a few weeks later. Experience a wet and adrenaline-filled adventure that will make you laugh and scream.

• Adventure,