Vast contrasts

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 ski lifts’ base station.

The clash between civilisation and wilderness leaves no one unaware, and the contrasts are part of the magic that makes Riksgränsen such a legendary resort. The season starts late – the first chairlifts only open towards the end of February. But nowhere else will you find the opportunity to enjoy the rays of the midnight sun while carving the last turns of the season.

If you are into ski touring the season lasts even longer, and many claims that Riksgränsen and its surroundings are at its very best when the ski lifts have stopped running for the season.

By the Norwegian border

The location so close to Norway means that the resort is highly popular among Norwegian visitors as well. And the place has a heritage from the days when the frontier here played a far more important role than a borderline on a map. This line is easily crossed during one of the best excursions outside the ski area. By traversing from the summit, you will eventually slide into Norway where a playful ravine awaits. This run is often neglected by many of the others who are chasing the fresh snow on Mount Nordalsfjäll. The work of pushing back to the lift after the run is a bit of a struggle, but usually, the sun accompanies those taking it on. And by the time you get off the top chairlift, you will have forgotten the struggle and the tips of your skis are once again pointing at a brief excursion abroad.

Legendary

Although Riksgränsen has become virtually legendary in free-rider circles, the secret of the mountain’s possibilities is still unknown to many. We are not exaggerating when we claim that most visitors to Riksgränsen opt for the almost unlimited facilities for easily accessed off-piste skiing. The slopes look different from one year to the next depending on the weather gods’ whims and never cease to challenge even the most experienced skiers.

However, those who prefer to shape perfect carving turns on well-groomed corduroy snow will find the pistes wonderfully wide and deserted. Lift queues are rare here, and the mountain’s dramatic front face is compensated by the gentler back where the on-slope restaurant offers perfect views over the children’s area. Riksgränsen may experience a real boom of family visitors once all these pro skiers have reached the state of teaching their offspring to ski; skiing culture here is just as strong as in Tärnaby — the cradle of Alpine World Champions such as Ingemar Stenmark and Anja Pärson — with the exception that here you won’t be finding any gates or poles.

Blue bird days

Instead, other attributes make your heart beat faster. On those wonderful days, so-called bluebird days, with clear blue skies and crystal clear views, the characteristic chopping of the rotor blades forms a natural part of the soundtrack here. Those coming back from a multi-peak heli-skiing trip around Riksgränsen have something of new-born skiers in their appearance; including those who have tested this same activity in other parts of the world. Especially the summits around Kebnekaise, reachable from Riksgränsen, tempt with spectacular skiing in otherwise virtually untouched snowscapes.

For all skiiers

Those of us not doing heli-skiing on this particular day are just as happy. We still have the chance to walk up Mount Nordalsfjäll to find untouched snow or simply enjoy the sunshine with a cup of coffee. Here, in Riksgränsen passion for skiing rules; the freedom of choosing your own way down the slopes together with the opportunity to develop as a skier, whether you have been skiing for twenty years or are on your very first skiing holiday.