New land lease agreement in Jämtland/Härjedalen

On December 12, 2023, the County Administrative Board of Jämtland County approved the Swedish Tourist Association's application for a renewed land lease in the western Jämtland mountains and parts of Härjedalen. The new lease agreement for STF's mountain stations and cabins on state-owned reindeer grazing land aligns with the application submitted by STF after discussions with the relevant Sami communities and the County Administrative Board. With this new agreement in place, the mountain cabins and stations were able to open as planned for the winter season in late February 2024.

On September 1, 2023, the Swedish Tourist Association submitted an application for a new lease agreement for three mountain stations and five mountain cabins on state-owned land in the western Jämtland mountains and parts of Härjedalen. The previous agreement, which expires on December 31, 2023, had been terminated by the County Administrative Board of Jämtland.

To secure a new land-use agreement, STF had to make changes following the County Administrative Board’s assessment that the extent of STF’s operations in the area has significantly disrupted reindeer herding. The new agreement has now been signed, and STF will continue to provide accommodation, self-catering facilities, and shops for hikers and skiers. However, starting in 2024, we will close the restaurant at Blåhammaren (and at Sylarna and Helags in 2028), reduce the number of beds at Sylarna and Blåhammaren, adjust opening hours, and phase out the Gåsen cabin site. Details of these changes can be found in the list below. These measures aim to minimize disturbances to the reindeer and contribute to the sustainable development of the area, while continuing to make nature experiences accessible. By taking responsibility and adapting our operations, we aim to ensure sustainable access to the mountains for outdoor recreation in the long term.

As a nonprofit organization with 228,000 members, we want to clearly demonstrate our values and let our purpose-driven compass guide us. In 2022, STF’s national assembly decided to amend the organization’s purpose clause and adopt a new visionary goal aimed at 2030. This goal emphasizes STF’s commitment to driving sustainable transitions in tourism and outdoor recreation.

The situation in Jämtland is unique and cannot be compared to the rest of the Swedish mountain range. Here, a web of trails crisscrosses the mountains, making it difficult for the reindeer to find undisturbed areas for grazing and calving. In Jämtland/Härjedalen, four of STF’s eight independently operated mountain stations are located, all within a single Sami community’s reindeer grazing area. STF built its first mountain cabin in the Jämtland mountains over 130 years ago to facilitate outdoor recreation. Today, we are taking responsibility by stepping back from the development of recent years and refocusing on the mission outlined by law, ensuring a sustainable outdoor life for at least another 130 years.

Historically, STF has unfortunately been poor at maintaining the dialogues necessary for mutual respect and cooperation. We have not been sufficiently attentive to the needs of reindeer herding, but we look forward to continuing the dialogue we have now begun. Through the changes we are implementing, we aim to create the conditions for effective collaboration in the mountains. These measures are designed to reduce disturbances and promote sustainable development of the mountain environment, primarily by lowering visitor pressure in specific areas and reducing the number of transports. While STF does not control all factors that impact reindeer, as an organization, we are committed to addressing what is within our control, regardless of what others may or may not do.

STF’s new land-use agreement for Jämtland and parts of Härjedalen, effective January 1, 2024, introduces the following changes compared to the previous agreement:

Changes in opening times

The opening periods for STF mountain stations and cabins in Jämtland and Härjedalen will be adjusted to minimize disturbance during particularly sensitive periods, such as calving.

Mountain stations and cabins in areas without road access (Sylarna, Blåhammaren, Helags, Vålåstugan, Stensdalen, Anaris, Lunndörren, and Fältjägaren) will remain open during winter from mid-February as before. However, they will close when the snowmobile ban takes effect in late April (currently April 19).
Summer openings will begin on July 1, except for STF Sylarna Mountain Station, which will open on July 15. They will remain open until early October, as before.

Closure of STF Gåsen cabin

STF Gåsen Cabin will be closed to establish a larger area around the Bunnerfjällen where reindeer, particularly calves, can remain undisturbed. This will result in fewer visitors to the area, reducing both wear and disturbances.

One of the buildings at the cabin site will be transferred to Handölsdalen Sami community to avoid the cost of demolition and removal, which would otherwise impose a significant financial burden on STF. The future of the other buildings is currently undecided, but they must be removed by 2026 under the agreement with the County Administrative Board. STF is exploring whether these buildings can be used elsewhere.

Safety room at Gåsen

To ensure mountain safety during the transitional period, the County Administrative Board of Jämtland has arranged for a small safety room to remain on site. According to Göran Gabling, Deputy Unit Manager for Nature Conservation at the County Administrative Board of Jämtland:

“To ensure mountain safety this winter, the County Administrative Board has arranged for a smaller safety room to remain on-site. This is a transitional solution to ensure that information about these changes is widely disseminated.”

The safety room is for emergencies only. Visitors to the area are required to carry tents, provisions, and have relevant mountain experience. The area is suited for visitors who enjoy solitude in the mountains and are capable of managing their own safety.

Below is a map with safety information from the County Administrative Board of Jämtland.
Click on the map to view it in a larger format.

Changes to STF Mountain stations and cabins

STF Blåhammaren Mountain station
The restaurant will close, and the number of beds will be reduced to 30, effectively halving capacity. The shop and self-catering kitchen will remain, allowing hikers on the Jämtland Triangle to continue carrying lighter packs by purchasing and preparing food on-site. By closing the restaurant, we reduce the need for transport and anticipate fewer campers and day visitors in this area.

STF Sylarna Mountain station
The number of beds will be reduced by 25%, and the restaurant will close no later than 2028. The self-catering kitchen and shop will remain, ensuring that hikers on the Jämtland Triangle can still carry lighter packs by purchasing and preparing food on-site. This change will reduce transport needs and likely decrease the number of campers and day visitors without the restaurant’s presence.

STF Helags Mountain station
The restaurant will close by 2028. The self-catering kitchen and shop will remain, allowing visitors to purchase provisions and prepare their own meals on-site. This will reduce transport needs and is expected to lead to fewer campers and day visitors in the area without the restaurant’s offerings.

STF Skedbro and Rogen cabins
On July 4, 2024, the County Administrative Board approved STF’s new land-use agreement for these cabins in southern Härjedalen. The new agreement, valid until December 31, 2028, maintains the same conditions for beds, opening times, and service levels as the previous agreement.

Ruvhten Sijte’s Situation
Ruvhten Sijte, the Sami community grazing in the area, faces significant challenges due to the loss of grazing lands in Norway and Härjedalen. They are fined each time their reindeer cross into these previously used areas. Through dialogue with the community, STF has gained a deep understanding of their critical situation and conveyed to government authorities the urgency of finding a solution. However, it is essential to emphasize that the state and relevant authorities are responsible for supporting the Sami community and addressing the issue of lost grazing lands.

While both STF and the County Administrative Board agree that STF’s operations do not constitute a significant disturbance to reindeer herding, STF remains committed to working respectfully and in dialogue with Sami communities and local residents, striving for harmony with the animals, nature, and people in the area.

From dialogue to approval

In 2021, the County Administrative Board signaled the need to renegotiate the agreement expiring at the end of 2023 with updated conditions. Since then, STF and the four affected Sami communities — Handölsdalen, Tåssåsen, Mittådalen, and Ruvhten Sijte – have engaged in discussions to shape the new terms to minimize disturbances to the reindeer.

STF’s strategic approach

STF’s member-elected board played a key role throughout the process. A strategic group within the board was established early on to outline the framework for dialogue and negotiation. The board addressed the issue at every meeting and appointed an operational task force to conduct the dialogue with the Sami communities. The task force included Peter Fredman from STF’s board, Carl Johan Ingeström (with extensive local knowledge from his time as site manager at STF Storulvån), and Maria Ros-Hjelm, STF’s Secretary General, who led the group. The group held several meetings and personal dialogues with the Sami communities, aiming to find a solution that promotes sustainable development in this highly valued but sensitive natural and cultural environment

Over the two years of negotiations, STF kept its members informed through newsletters, national assemblies, the website, and the member magazine Turist.

Approval of the new land-use agreement

On December 12, 2023, the County Administrative Board of Jämtland County approved STF’s application for renewed land use in the western Jämtland mountains and parts of Härjedalen. The new lease agreement for STF’s mountain stations and cabins on state-owned reindeer grazing land aligns with the application submitted by STF after extensive dialogue with the Sami communities and the County Administrative Board.