Vasterbotten, Sweden

Capital City: Umeå

Closest Airport: Hemavan

Population: 256,710

Resort Area: Tärnaby - Hemavan

Snow Season: Early December - end May

Main Language: Swedish

Currency: Swedish Krona

 

Västerbotten is in the north of Sweden and shares the vast expanse of Lapland with Norbotten County. Even though the verticals up here fare pretty poorly when stacked up against many other northern hemisphere resorts, the latitude means you're all but guaranteed awesome snowfall. So if you're sick of the ice-to-slush pattern of snow-starved alpine resorts, this should suit you down to the ground. You'll be in good company too - the area's produced a number of world-class slalom skiers.

 

The best-known resorts up here are Tärnaby and Hemavan. Combined, they offer 35 pistes, 11 lifts and a drop of nearly 700 metres. There's over 30 kms of cross-country and some night skiing too. Best of all, the snow arrives early and sticks around for ages.