Milder December weather has caused snow shortages at many Swedish ski resorts, limiting open slopes. Despite full hotels, resorts worry about fewer day visitors. Several facilities are taking measures like price cuts and extended hours to attract skiers.
Sweden's ski resorts have been severely impacted by mild December weather, with above-freezing temperatures preventing natural snowfall. In Sälen, the snow depth is currently zero centimeters, and similar conditions prevail at sites like Kläppen, Orsa Grönklitt, and Romme Alpin. Romme Alpin outside Borlänge opened its season on Saturday with only ten of 34 slopes available. Site manager Oskar Funcke expresses satisfaction with the existing base: "There is good base in the ten runs that are open, so we are very happy and proud to be able to offer this skiing given how mild it has been in the last month."
Hotels are fully booked for Christmas and New Year, but Funcke warns of reduced interest from day visitors: "Day visitors are a big part for us. And of course, if there's little snow at home, you get more ski itch. So it will definitely affect us a bit."
In Branäs in Värmland, 18 of 34 slopes are open despite bare ground outside the pistes. CEO Anders Kjällström, with 25 years of experience, downplays concerns: "I've worked with this for 25 years and it's been like this before. We actually feel calm. It's more sad for the guests that it's not white around."
Skistar's facilities show variations: Åre has 46 of 90 slopes open with some natural snow, while Sälen has none. Communications chief Maria Kruse mentions plans for more snowmaking with colder weather and extended hours in Sälen and Trysil: "In Sälen and Trysil, we look forward to getting more cold in a few days to continue laying snow in certain areas. We are also extending hours in both Sälen and Trysil so our guests can get as much skiing as possible during their stay."
At Kläppen, slopes are narrower than usual due to the shortage, and prices are cut by 20 percent for Christmas week. Communications chief Lennart Stolpe explains: "Since we know people will come up and the slopes are a bit narrower, we have lowered prices by 20 percent." He adds: "We see that it doesn't look like we want it to. No one working in the mountains wants a start to the season like this."
As of December 21, the following slopes were open: Lindvallen 18 of 43, Åre 46 of 90, Romme Alpin 10 of 34, Branäs 18 of 34, Kläppen 17 of 41, among others. Resorts hope for colder temperatures to improve conditions.
