Winter Vacation in Norway or Sweden with a Rental Car

When it comes to winter sports, many people think of the Alpine countries and travel to destinations in France, Austria, Switzerland, or Italy. For your next winter vacation, why not consider Scandinavia? Not least because the winter sports resorts in Norway and Sweden are guaranteed to have snow—something you can’t always count on in the Alpine countries these days. However, the Swedish and Norwegian ski resorts are generally smaller than those in the Alps. Some people actually find this more manageable, and it certainly encourages you to visit different areas. So rent a car to get the most out of your Scandinavian winter sports vacation.

Rent a Car at Scandinavian Mountains Airport

Most winter sports destinations in Norway and Sweden are easily accessible by rental car from the airports in Oslo and Stockholm. But did you know there’s another option? Scandinavia’s largest ski resorts are now even more accessible thanks to the opening of Scandinavian Mountains Airport. In the winter, there are regular flights from destinations including London (Gatwick) in the UK, the Danish cities of Aalborg and Copenhagen, and the Dutch airports of Amsterdam (Schiphol) and Groningen (Eelde). The airport is located in Sälen, Sweden, close to the border with Norway. With a rental car, you can reach Sälenfjällen—Sweden’s largest ski resort—in under half an hour, and the Norwegian ski resort of Trysil is about a 45-minute drive away. A little further away is the Swedish winter sports resort of Idre Fjäll (over 120 kilometers). From this ski resort, you can continue your drive in your rental car to Vemdalen, which the Swedes themselves describe as the coziest winter sports destination.

If you want to head further north to the popular Åre ski resort in Sweden, flying to Trondheim or Östersund is the more obvious choice. The Norwegian resort of Hemsedal is more easily accessible from Oslo or Bergen. From Bergen, you can also easily drive to the family-friendly Myrkdalen ski resort.

Why Rent a Car for a Winter Sports Trip in Scandinavia?

Many people take renting a car for their summer vacation for granted. You can take a beautiful road trip at your own pace and visit many different places. Plus, you’re independent of public transportation and enjoy plenty of flexibility: stop wherever and whenever it suits you.

During winter vacations, however, things are suddenly quite different: many winter sports enthusiasts book a single ski resort, and since the nearest ski area is the easiest to reach, that’s where they end up going every day. Of course, for most people, skiing is the main attraction, but you can get so much more out of your winter sports vacation if you rent a car. With a rental car, you can easily drive to different ski areas. You can also explore the surrounding area and book accommodations outside the ski resorts. Or how about a vacation where you spend the first week skiing and the second week exploring the Scandinavian winter wonderland by rental car? You’ll come home with so many more stories than if you’d just whizzed down the slopes!

Renting a car for your winter vacation can save you money!

Renting a car may seem like an extra expense, but did you know that—especially on a winter vacation—it can actually save you money? For one thing, you’re not tied to the (usually more expensive) ski resorts; instead, you can book accommodations wherever you like. Think of a secluded mountain cabin in a beautiful setting or a vacation home in a charming little village. Not only will you save money on your accommodations, but thanks to your rental car, you won’t be dependent on public transportation either.

Plus, you can easily drive to stores and markets to do your grocery shopping and cook your own meals. We probably don’t need to tell you that eating out at a restaurant every day is much more expensive, especially when you’re on a winter sports vacation with your family.

Rent a car for a flexible winter vacation

Just like with other trips, a rental car gives you much more flexibility during your winter vacation. You can easily drive to different ski slopes. Take, for example, Sälenfjällen in Sweden, which we mentioned above. It’s very large and consists of several ski areas: Sälen is the central area, but Stöten lies to the north and Kläppen to the south. The distance between those last two ski areas is nearly 60 kilometers. It’s nice to be able to drive there in your own rental car. Maybe even better: combine slopes in Sweden and Norway!

Driving a Rental Car in Sweden and Norway

Many car rental companies allow you to drive from Sweden to Norway and vice versa. But don’t forget to mention this when booking your rental car. That prevents any issues later on. If you’ve indicated that you ’ll be crossing the border with your rental car, you’ll be insured in both countries.

In both Sweden and Norway, there is no general requirement to use winter tires in the winter. However, in Sweden it is mandatory “in winter conditions,” and in Norway, tires “must have sufficient traction.” Rest assured, the vast majority of cars you rent through us in those countries come standard with winter tires during the months when they may be needed. Would you like to search only for rental cars that include winter tires in the price? Then check the corresponding box under “Popular Filters.”

In addition to visiting ski resorts, you can take beautiful winter road trips with a rental car. Below are a few suggestions, but keep in mind that this is by no means a complete list of what you can experience during the Scandinavian winter.

Driving along Norwegian fjords in winter

Norway is best known for its fjord coastline. Impressive in the summer, but certainly just as stunning in the winter. While the steep mountains are covered in snow, the water in the fjords (almost) never freezes, thanks to the Gulf Stream. So you can also take boat tours in the winter, for example through the stunning Nærøyfjord near the Myrkdalen ski resort. There you’ll see seals, puffins, and birds of prey. The town of Flåm is also easily accessible from Myrkdalen. There, you’ll need to leave your rental car behind for a moment to take one of the most beautiful and steepest train rides in Europe. North of Flåm is the Stegastein viewpoint, which offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Aurlandsfjord. This viewpoint is located along the Aurlandsfjellet, a road included in the Norwegian Scenic Routes. As the name suggests, these roads wind through Norway’s stunning natural landscapes.

Rent a car to see the Northern Lights.

The further north you go, the fewer ski resorts there are. This is mainly due to the fact that there is much less daylight in northern Scandinavia during the winter. Still, some ski resorts there have found a way around this by lighting up the slopes. And that’s quite a special experience! The world’s northernmost ski resort is located near Tromsø, Norway: Alpinpark. You can go skiing and snowboarding there. In the winter, you can take a trip along the illuminated cross-country ski trail around the small lake near the city, Prestvannet.

Tromsø is located right in the middle of the so-called aurora zone, where you have a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights. To fully enjoy this magical polar light, it’s best to drive out of the city, far away from the city lights. You can also leave your rental car behind to go on a nighttime snowshoe hike.

In Swedish Lapland, near the town of Abisko, a special Aurora Sky Station has been built to enjoy the light show in the sky. It’s an ideal spot because the skies are almost always clear. Even if the Northern Lights don’t appear, it’s a fantastic experience thanks to the breathtaking starry sky. Abisko is easy to reach by rental car; it’s just over an hour’s drive from Kiruna.

Winter Vacation in Scandinavia: More Than Just Skiing

In both Sweden and Norway, there’s much more to do than just skiing or snowboarding. Kids can enjoy good old-fashioned sledding, and adults can go on sleigh rides pulled by huskies. The whole family can fit in a larger sleigh pulled by reindeer. Prefer something with a little more power? Then take a snowmobile excursion. With a snow buggy, you can race across frozen lakes. Drill a hole in the ice of one of these lakes and you can go ice fishing. With a little luck, you’ll be able to prepare a delicious meal of freshly caught salmon or trout.

In Norway, you can spot whales and orcas along the coast of the Vesterålen Islands in the north of the country. On the island of Andøya, you can drive a scenic route in your rental car, with mountains on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.

Feel like a race? On the first Sunday in March, the famous Vasaloppet (Vasaloppet) begins in Sälen—a popular cross-country ski race spanning no less than 90 kilometers. The Wasaloop follows the route taken by Gustav Vasa, who made this journey in 1520 while fleeing the Danish army. Not long after, he became king of Sweden. If 90 kilometers is a bit too much for you, several other (shorter) races are held in the days surrounding the Wasaloop, often on (part of) the same course.

Make the most of your Scandinavian winter vacation: rent a car

A winter vacation in Scandinavia isn’t complete if you stay in just one place. Even if you only want to ski, it’s a good idea to rent a car. That way, you can visit many different ski resorts, each with its own unique atmosphere. Along the way, you can stop at authentic villages and enjoy the beautiful nature and stunning views in Sweden and Norway. A rental car also offers comfort, convenience, and flexibility. If you absolutely love a certain place, you can stay there a little longer. Or, on the other hand, if it’s a bit of a letdown, you can simply drive on to the next area. Let yourself be swept away and plan a route through Scandinavia for your next winter vacation—where renting a car in Sweden or Norway is, of course, indispensable.