Lapland is known for its magical winter scenery, from snow-covered forests to glowing northern lights. While Finnish Lapland and Tromsø attract the crowds, Abisko in Swedish Lapland remains a hidden gem, offering untouched wilderness, thrilling winter adventures, and breathtaking Northern Lights displays. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your winter trip to Abisko.
Where is Abisko and How to Get There
Abisko is a small village in Sweden, located north of the Arctic Circle on the shore of Lake Torneträsk, which stretches for over 70 kilometers. It is an hour’s drive from Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost town, and just half an hour from the Norwegian border. You can reach Abisko by flying to one of the nearby airports or, if you don’t mind a longer journey, by train, as Abisko is connected to the rest of Sweden by rail.
By Plane
Since Abisko is a small village, it doesn’t have its own airport. You can reach it via Kiruna Airport in Sweden or Evenes Airport near Narvik in Norway, depending on your route and preferences.
Kiruna Airport
Kiruna is the closest airport to Abisko, about one hour by car. Most flights connect through Stockholm, so if you are coming from outside Sweden, you will likely need to transfer there.
If you do not want to rent a car, there is a bus that runs twice daily between Kiruna Airport and Abisko, stopping at nearby villages such as Björkliden and Riksgränsen. You can also take the train, which connects Abisko with Kiruna city centre.
Evenes Narvik Airport
Evenes Airport in Norway, near the Lofoten Islands, is slightly larger and serves some international flights from Zurich, Frankfurt, and Milan. If you are coming from elsewhere, you will need a connection through Oslo.
From Evenes, Abisko is under two hours by car. Public transport is more complicated as you would first need to take a bus to Narvik and then a train to Abisko. If you are not renting a car, flying to Kiruna would be an easier option.
By Rail
If you do not mind a longer journey, you can also reach Abisko by direct train from Stockholm. The trip takes 16.5 to 19 hours, with two daily departures. The first leaves around six in the evening and arrives the next morning. The second leaves at ten in the evening and arrives the following afternoon.
The train has sleeper compartments, so you can rest overnight and wake up to the stunning Arctic scenery. It also continues to Björkliden and Riksgränsen, which is convenient if you want to base yourself near a ski resort.
When to Visit Abisko in Winter
Early December to early January
Abisko experiences polar night, when the sun does not rise above the horizon. This is the darkest time of year, which is great for Northern Lights viewing, but lack of daylight makes outdoor exploring limited.
January to mid-February
The days slowly start getting longer, but daylight is still limited. This can be a good time to visit if your main goal is to experience a classic Arctic winter atmosphere and have a chance to see the Northern Lights.
Mid-February to early March
Nearby ski resorts begin to open, with Björkliden usually opening in the second week of February and Riksgränsen around two weeks later. This is a good time for skiing, while the nights are still dark enough for aurora spotting.
Second half of March
This is one of the best times to visit Abisko in winter. By mid-March, you get close to 12 hours of daylight, which gives you more time for outdoor adventures such as hiking, skiing, and ski touring. At the same time, the nights are still dark enough for a chance to see the Northern Lights.
April to May
The ski season continues well into spring, often until the end of May. This is ideal if you want to enjoy late-season skiing, but by this point the nights are shorter and brighter, making Northern Lights sightings unlikely.
Where to Stay
There are a few different places to stay near Abisko, and the best choice depends on what kind of trip you want.
Abisko Turiststation
Despite its name, STF Abisko Turiststation is not located in Abisko village itself but around 2 kilometres away, right by the entrance to Abisko National Park. Even so, it is easy to reach thanks to its own train station.
It offers a wide range of accommodation, including hotel-style rooms, self-catering hostel rooms, and private cabins. On site, you will find plenty of useful facilities, including a guest kitchen, sauna, drying room, laundry room, common areas, restaurant, shop, and equipment rental. Although it is not in the village, the range of facilities makes it very convenient. It is also a good base if you are relying on public transport, as many local tour operators either use the tourist station as a meeting point or offer pick-up from there.
Abisko village
Staying in Abisko village gives you a slightly wider choice of hotels and guesthouses, as well as a few useful facilities nearby, including a supermarket and several places to eat. It is still a very small village, so do not expect a huge range of services.
A couple of places worth mentioning are Abisko Guesthouse & Activities. It offers affordable but fairly basic self-catering rooms and apartments. Another option is Abisko Mountain Lodge. It has a mix of hotel rooms and self-catering cabins. It is a good choice if you are looking for a more comfortable stay. Guests also get free access to a sauna and relaxation area.
Björkliden
Björkliden is a small mountain village around 10 minutes from Abisko by car. It is home to a ski resort with a few T-bar lifts and a good off-piste area, making it a great option if skiing is one of your priorities.
The main place to stay here is Hotell Fjället, a four-star hotel right by the slopes. It is a good choice if you want ski-in, ski-out style accommodation while still being close to Abisko. Björkliden is also the starting point for the trail to Låktatjåkko Mountain Lodge, which is marked in winter and can be explored on skis or snowshoes. You can also reach the lodge by snowcat or snowmobile.
Riksgränsen
Riksgränsen is located on the Swedish-Norwegian border, around half an hour from Abisko by car. Staying here gives you easy access to the larger Riksgränsen ski resort, which has more than 20 kilometres of slopes served by chairlifts and T-bar lifts.
The main accommodation option is Hotell Riksgränsen, a four-star hotel located right at the bottom of the slopes. This is a good base if you want to combine skiing with exploring both Sweden and Norway, as Narvik Ski Resort is only about 45 minutes away by car.
Winter Activities in Abisko
Thanks to its location in the middle of untouched Swedish Lapland, activities in Abisko revolve around different ways of exploring the beautiful landscapes and Abisko National Park.
Snowmobile Tours
Most snowmobile tours go through Abisko National Park allowing you to experience a thrilling ride and see the National Park at the same. There are also tours starting from Björkliden. Most tours last a couple hours so you’ll still have time during the day to plan other activities. If you are a fan of speed and would like a tour that allows to go further there a couple options. Notedly a 5 hour tour to Låktatjåkko Mountain Lodge where you have a chance to explore further into the mountains. The main downside of snowmobile tours is their cost as it is one of the more expensive activities in Lapland. If you don’t mind sharing a snowmobile you can usually book one snowmobile for 2 people at a lower price.
Snowshoe Hiking
Snowshoe hiking is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of Swedish Lapland at a slower, more relaxed pace. Around Abisko, you can head out on a guided tour or explore independently, depending on how adventurous you feel.
If you’re after more of a challenge, the 9 km trail from Björkliden to Låktatjåkko Mountain Lodge is a rewarding option. While it’s a longer route, it’s clearly marked in winter and regularly used, so it’s easy to navigate. You can turn it into a two-day adventure by staying overnight at the lodge, where you’ll find simple yet comfortable rooms, hearty meals, and access to a sauna. That said, this hike should only be attempted in good weather. Arctic conditions can change quickly, and the mountains demand respect and careful planning.
Aurora Hunting
Abisko is widely regarded as one of the best places in Sweden to see the Northern Lights, thanks to its “Blue Hole” microclimate that often brings clear skies even when nearby areas are cloudy. I was initially sceptical, but ended up witnessing a beautiful display during a brief break in the clouds.
The Northern Lights are typically visible from September to early April. You don’t need to travel far to see them. I even saw them right outside Abisko Turiststation. It is worth keeping in mind that the aurora often looks more subtle to the naked eye than in photos. With time, your eyes adjust to the darkness, and during stronger activity you can start to notice green tones. Patience is important, as the aurora can take time to appear.
If you want a more guided experience, there are tours that take you into darker areas away from light pollution. One of the most unique options is the STF Aurora Sky Station, located 900 metres above sea level with panoramic views over Lake Torneträsk and reached by chairlift. Keep in mind that the chairlift does not operate in strong winds, which are fairly common in the area. In such cases, the experience is moved elsewhere and refunds are not offered, so it is worth being aware of this when booking.
Ice Climbing
In Abisko you can also try ice climbing by joining a guided tour led by an instructor. The experience begins with a short training session where you learn how to use equipment such as crampons and ice axes. You then head into Abisko Canyon to climb a frozen waterfall. The climb is around 12 metres high, making it suitable for beginners, and you’ll receive support throughout. The tour typically lasts about half a day, and no prior experience is required.
Ski Touring
If you want to try alpine ski touring in Abisko, you can join Try out alpine ski-touring tour. The experience involves climbing uphill with special skins attached to your skis, then removing them at the top before skiing back down. You do not need prior touring experience, but you should feel confident skiing on red slopes and be prepared for a full, active day.
I joined this tour during my time in Abisko and it was a real highlight of the trip. Although I was a bit nervous at first, the guides were reassuring and clearly explained the equipment, terrain, and safety.
We started by taking the chairlift up to the Aurora Sky Station, then skied uphill towards a nearby peak. The weather was perfect, with clear skies and incredible views all around. At the top, we stopped to enjoy some food and take in the scenery before beginning our descent.
Skiing back down felt very different, with harder, icier snow that took some getting used to, but the terrain was manageable. We even had time for a short second climb before returning to the base of the chairlift.
It was an excellent introduction to ski touring and a great mix of challenge, scenery, and adventure. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Abisko.
Nordic Backcountry Skiing
For a gentler and more accessible option, you can try Nordic backcountry skiing on a guided tour. This style combines elements of cross-country and downhill skiing, allowing you to move smoothly across natural, ungroomed terrain rather than climbing steep mountains. After learning the basics, you’ll head out with an instructor to explore the landscape, skiing across open areas, gentle slopes, and frozen lakes. It’s suitable for beginners and offers a more relaxed way to experience the winter environment.
Day Trips from Abisko
Kiruna
Kiruna is the largest town in Swedish Lapland and a popular winter day trip from Abisko. You can explore local culture and history, visit the Icehotel in nearby Jukkasjärvi, which is rebuilt each winter from ice and snow and features uniquely designed ice rooms and suites, an ice bar, and artistic ice sculptures created by international artists. You can also try activities such as dog sledding through snowy landscapes.
Björkliden Fjällby
Björkliden is a mountain resort near Abisko with 15 km of slopes served by five T bar lifts. Compared to larger nearby ski resorts, it has a more relaxed atmosphere while still providing access to scenic slopes and beautiful views over Lake Torneträsk, making it a good option for a quieter day trip.
Riksgransen
Riksgränsen sits on the Norwegian–Swedish border. It is larger than Narvikfjellet with over 20 km of slopes. Although the vertical drop is lower, it is much more snow sure. The resort is served by four T-bar lifts and two older chairlifts. Riksgränsen is particularly famous for its off-piste skiing. You can book an Off-piste guiding tour to safely explore the terrain and get the most out of the resort. A downside is that strong winds often disrupt operations, and lifts can close even in good snow conditions.
Narvik
Narvik is a coastal town in Norway surrounded by mountains and fjords. It is located a couple of hours’ drive from Abisko. One of its main highlights is Narvikfjellet, the largest ski resort in Northern Norway. Compared to Riksgränsen and Björkliden Fjällby, it feels more modern and developed. It also stands out for its spectacular fjord views straight from the slopes.
Riksgränsen and Björkliden Fjällby together with Narvik, are part of The Arctic Ski Resorts network. A single lift pass allows you to ski in all three resorts. The pass also includes a complimentary bus transfer between the resorts.
Thanks to their close proximity, it is easy to combine Abisko and Narvik in one trip. Each destination offers a very different experience, and together they create a diverse and memorable winter holiday. If you want to dive deeper into planning your visit, take a look at my blog post, From Slopes to Fjords a Complete Guide to Narvik Ski Resort.
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