Sweden’s first lift-served skiing opened on October 17. | Image: Kåbdalis Facebook
Sweden’s ski season is officially underway. Kåbdalis, a small ski resort in northern Sweden, opened for lift-served skiing on Saturday, October 17, becoming the country’s first resort to welcome skiers for the 2026–27 season.
Located in Norrbotten County in Sweden’s Lapland, Kåbdalis is known for its early-season openings. While much of Scandinavia’s ski season is still weeks away, the resort has already started welcoming skiers back to the slopes.
Only one run is currently open at Kåbdalis thanks to snow farming. | Image: Kåbdalis Facebook
According to the latest available snow report, one of Kåbdalis’ four lifts was operating on October 17, serving approximately 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) of its 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) of pistes. Reported snow depths reached 40 centimeters (16 inches) at the upper mountain and 21 centimeters (8 inches) lower down. The available terrain was covered with snow saved from the previous winter through a process known as snow farming.
Related: Snow Farming
View from the open slope at Kåbdalis down to the village. | Image: Kåbdalis Facebook
Kåbdalis has used snow farming to prepare early-season pistes for several years, helping it open ahead of Sweden’s main winter season and provide an early training venue for ski racers. International Ski Racer, an independent ski racing program for athletes outside national programs, holds training camps at the resort each year. With less than a kilometer of terrain currently available, Kåbdalis is still a long way from a full opening, but the early access to snow makes it a valuable venue for racers preparing for the season.
Slalom gates being taken up the ski lift at Kåbdalis. | Image: Kåbdalis Facebook
The resort has around 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) of pistes and a vertical drop of approximately 210 meters (689 feet). Its early opening also gives recreational skiers a chance to get their first turns in before the main European and Scandinavian seasons begin.
Kåbdalis is the first resort to open for lift-served skiing, but it is not the only Swedish ski destination to start winter operations early. Kläppen opened its autumn terrain park on October 2 using snow stored from the previous winter. The park is aimed primarily at freestyle skiers and snowboarders and operates separately from a full winter resort opening.
Thumbs up from the Kåbdalis groomer. | Image: Kåbdalis Facebook
Other Swedish resorts are expected to follow later in October, with Idre Fjäll targeting October 23 and Tänndalen planning to open on October 24, although dates remain subject to snow conditions.
Last minute course prep by the Kåbdalis team. | Image: Kåbdalis Facebook