Västerdalarna is the western part of Dalarna, at the border to Norway. The region contains the tallest mountains of the province, and is less populated than Siljansbygden and Dalabergslagen.

The coldest and most mountainous part of Svealand, this is a region for outdoor life and winter sport not too far from the more populated regions of southern Sweden.

Municipalities

• 1 Älvdalen is norternmost part of Dalarna and Svealand.
• 2 Malung is a forested municipality which contains Sälen.
• 3 Vansbro

Other destinations

• 4 Sälen in Malung municipality is one of Sweden's busiest ski resorts.
• 5 Idre, a ski resort in Älvdalen municipality

Understand

The settlements in western Dalarna are few and far between. While most of the forests are used for logging, the region is great to see Eurasian fauna including bears, elks and deer.

Get in

Driving is the most practical mode of transport in the region. Public transportation is scarcer than in the more populated parts of Dalarna.

• 1 Scandinavian Mountains Airport (SCR). An airport opened in 2019, useful for transit to Hedmark in Norway as well. 
• Regional Dalatrafik buses
• Combined travel train and bus, usually change in Borlänge or Mora. See sj.se

Do

See also: Winter in the Nordic countries

Västerdalarna is mostly visited for outdoor life and winter sport. The region has several alpine resorts, and contains the starting points of two legs in the Swedish Classic Circuit: The Vansbro Swim in Vansbro, and Vasaloppet in Sälen.

Stay safe

Cold weather and winter conditions are concerns here, well into April and May.

Go next

Cross the border to Värmland or Norway.