Large, still lakes nestle among mountain ranges while a range of wildlife, from lynx to reindeer, wander over the magnificent Jämtland, home to the resort of Bydalen. Made up of four areas and close to the fifth-largest lake in Sweden, Bydalen is never far away from nature and the resplendent scenery which makes this a popular destination.

The resort is a family-run affair with most of the accommodation proprietors acting as guides as well. There is a very homely air to Bydalen, with an emphasis on delivering a family-orientated service perfectly suited to skiers of all ages and abilities. The surrounding area affords calming and inviting walks and excursions among the myriad fauna and flora on show.

The four areas combined offer around 650 beds in traditional cabins or apartments, within walking distance of the slopes. Food stores, handicraft and Laplander art shops, five restaurants and bars, a disco, an ice bar and several cafés offer a chance to spend some of that holiday money. Additionally, horse-drawn sleighing, snowmobile safaris, ice-fishing, dog-sledding and traditional saunas all make appealing non-ski alternatives.

The resort of Bydalen has 49kms of runs over 59 slopes suitable for all ages and abilities. There are 17 blue, 4 green, 27 red and 11 black runs. The resort caters for snowboarders, with two snowboard parks and two half-pipes. Fifteen lifts service the resort area with a top elevation of 1,020m and a base of 600m, making the total vertical descent 400m.

The longest run is three kilometres and there are an additional 30kms of cross-country trails, plus hundreds of kilometres of ungroomed ski areas beginning in Bydalen. The resort also has a ski school for children.

For a charming daytrip, travel to the nearby town of Östersund, on the shores of the Storsjön, more commonly known as the Great Lake. It is a moderately large town with its own unique rhythm and enchanting atmosphere. The town itself is surrounded by the beauty of the majestic mountains and vast forests and offers a delightful array of enticing cafés, bars and restaurants.

The season begins at the start of December and continues on until the end of March. The resort lies 550kms north of Stockholm and 50kms west of the nearest provincial town of Östersund. Travel to the resort by flying to Östersund via Stockholm and transferring by hire car or bus service.