6 reasons to visit the Sweden’s Västerbotten county

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While Lapland’s unique charm continues to draw more and more visitors in search of Santa Claus each year, look to Finland’s friendly and fascinating neighbour Sweden for your next sub-zero escape. With just as much snow-laden fun on offer, Västerbotten county in the country’s subarctic north offers a quieter winter adventure.

The northern county of Västerbotten stretches from the Norwegian border in the west to the Gulf of Bothnia in the east, with its northmost section forming part of the Swedish Lapland. The county’s two main cities, Umeå and Skellefteå, are both around an hour’s flight from Sweden’s capital Stockholm — providing easy access to northern Sweden’s vast wilderness of icy lakes, snow-clad mountains, secluded valleys and dense forests. Västerbotten’s largest city, Umeå, was previously named the European Capital of Culture in 2014 and remains a cultural hotspot for visitors with a number of highly 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 and a hub for outdoor activities including cross-country skiing and ice skating.

1. Trek through the snowy taiga forest

In the village of Svansele, just under an hour’s drive from Skellefteå, Horses of Taiga offers an extraordinary experience — horse-riding through the ethereal taiga forest. Also known as the boreal forest, the taiga forest is only found in the subarctic, distinguished by its types of conifer trees that are adapted to long, freezing winters. The Icelandic horses at Horses of Taiga are well-accustomed to the cold climate, too, providing a relaxed trek through the thick snow that carpets the forest. A treasured breed, Icelandic horses are small —almost pony-sized — and have a gentle and patient nature, making them ideal for all levels of rider. As you traverse the tranquil, snow-dusted taiga, there’s a chance you may even spy reindeer or moose through the trees. Tours from 1.5 hours to five days are available and group sizes are limited to a maximum of five people to minimise the impact on the surrounding environment.

The small Icelandic horses are well-accustomed to the cold climate of the subarctic.

Photograph by Rianne Kindt

2. Ride a snowmobile over a frozen river

Just down the road from Horses of Taiga, Svansele Wilderness Centre offers guided … Read More