6 reasons to visit Västerbotten, Sweden

As Lapland’s unique charm continues to draw more visitors in search of Santa Claus each year, look to Finland’s friendly and charming neighbor, Sweden, for your next sub-zero escape. Besides snow-filled fun, the county of Västerbotten in the country’s subarctic north offers a quieter winter adventure.

The northern county of Västerbotten extends from the Norwegian border in the west to the Gulf of Bothnia in the east, with its northernmost part forming part of Swedish Lapland. The county’s two main cities, Umeå and Skellefteå, are about an hour’s flight from Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, and provide easy access to northern Sweden’s vast wilderness of icy lakes, snow-capped mountains, secluded valleys and dense forests. Västerbotten’s largest city, Umeå, was previously named European Capital of Culture in 2014 and remains a cultural hotspot for visitors, with its numerous well-regarded museums and Sami Week, an annual celebration of Sweden’s Indigenous population. The second largest city, Skellefteå, is a modern gateway to the snowy subarctic region and a hub for outdoor activities such as cross-country skiing and ice skating.

1. Hike in the snowy taiga forest

In the village of Svansele, less than an hour’s drive from Skellefteå Taiga Horses offers an extraordinary experience – horseback riding through the ethereal taiga forest. The taiga forest, also known as the boreal forest, is found only in the subarctic region and is characterized by conifer species adapted to long, freezing winters. The Icelandic horses at Horses of Taiga are also accustomed to the cold climate and provide a comfortable gait through the thick snow that covers the forest. A prized breed, Icelandic horses are small (almost pony-sized) and have a gentle and patient nature, making them ideal for riders of all levels. As you traverse the serene, snow-covered taiga, you even have the chance to spy reindeer or elk among the trees. Tours lasting from 1.5 hours to five days are available, and group sizes are limited to a maximum of five people to minimize impact on the environment.

2. Ride a snowmobile on a frozen river

Just below the Horses of Taiga, Svansele Wildlife Center It offers guided snowmobile tours into the forest surrounding Svansele, a river valley where the Malån and Skellefteå Rivers meet. Here you can slalom through the trees and then speed across frozen snow-covered water. After your adrenaline-fuelled snowmobiling adventure, return to the centre’s rustic log cabin for a feast of locally sourced reindeer and venison, fish and potatoes cooked over a giant indoor fire, and hear stories from the centre’s original owner and founder, Thorbjörn Holmlund. affectionately known as the ‘deer man’.

3. See the spectacular Northern Lights

During the colder months, Sweden should be on the radar of those looking for the elusive aurora borealis, thanks to the country’s proximity to the Arctic Circle and north magnetic pole. When skies are clear, swirling streams of green-blue light dancing across the sky can be seen in northern Sweden from early September to late March, and due to extra high solar activity this year, there is the potential for prime aurora borealis to occur. In 20 years. Spend the night in a tent for a chance to see this phenomenon. Aurora Borealis Adventures (about a 1.5-hour drive from Umeå) the large windows in the roof and walls of the tent provide a first-class view of the night sky. Granö BeckasinLocated just over an hour’s drive from Umeå, the hotel also offers guided tours where you can learn how to capture the Northern Lights on camera.

4. Stay in one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings

At the end of a cold day in the snow, Skellefteå Wood Hotel By Elite Provides a warm welcome. One of the world’s tallest timber buildings, built from 12,000 cubic meters of locally sourced timber, the hotel is bright and modern, and its cozy Scandi-style rooms have large windows with city views. Equipped with solar panels and batteries, the building uses an innovative ‘smart’ energy system that detects the number of people inside to meet electricity and heating/cooling needs. Dine at one of three on-site restaurants, such as the Asian-fusion Miss Voon, before ascending to the luxury spa on the hotel’s top floor, which offers picturesque, 360-degree views of Skellefteå. You might even be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights while relaxing in the outdoor hot tub.

5. Taste local delicacies

Västerbotten’s strong and salty, parmesan-like cheese, VasterbottensostYou should definitely try it. It’s still made according to an original recipe from 1872 and is widely available at delis in the area. Dua Umea. Grab a bottle of the famous local dessert wine Brännland IsciderIt became the first Swedish wine to be served at the Nobel Prize Banquet in 2022. The district of Västerbotten has many upscale restaurants as well as cozy cafes: Tonka Strandgatanwhere can you stand fika (traditional coffee and cake break).

It takes its name from the Mandel potato (also known as almond potato), a staple crop in northern Sweden. Restaurant Mandel Skellefteå serves Swedish reindeer in rich sauce, carrots, broccoli and salt-baked beets. Don’t skip the pike either; This delicious fish is served with roasted nuts and seeds, ancho peppers, chipotle salsa and lemon mayonnaise. In Umeå city centre, star bartender Emil Åreng serves creative cocktails in his lively venue. Fascite Bar. The bar serves a variety of local beers and wines, as well as cocktails made with Swedish spirits and mixers. Try the britt-martini, a smooth combination of Hernö Slow Sloe Gin shaken with black currant and red and rosé vermouth.

6. Visit interesting museums in Umeå

Umeå, which has a large student population thanks to Umeå University, is home to many entertaining art galleries and museums. One of the must-do things for music lovers is interesting Guitars – MuseumIt is managed by twin brothers Samuel and Michael Åhdén. Their passion for guitars began in the mid-1960s and they now proudly display their collection of hundreds of vintage and rare guitars on the top floor of Umeå Folkets Hus in the city centre. The museum also has a bar and regularly hosts live musical performances.

If art is your thing, Umeå’s modern art museum BildmuseetIt will arouse interest. As well as seven floors to explore, there are also panoramic views of the Umeälven River from the contemporary building’s huge windows.

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