Kungsleden Abisko – Kebnekaise on Nordic backcountry skis

Ski through a frozen Arctic landscape that is constantly changing as you travel through natural valleys surrounded by majestic mountains, 200 km north of the Arctic Circle.

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Kungsleden is Sweden’s most famous ski- and hiking trail. We invite you to a winter adventure that starts in Abisko National Park and ends in the high mountains surrounding Sweden’s highest peak, Kebnekaise. One of our reliable guides show the way, and we live comfortably in our STF mountain stations and cabins along the trail.

Good to know

  • 8 days
  • The total length of the trip from Abisko to Nikkaluokta is 107 km
  • meeting day 1 at 5:00 PM at Abisko Tourist Station
  • Min 4 / max 10 participants
  • Age limit: 16 years accompanied by a guardian
  • Requirements: Good physical condition and previous experience with backcountry skiing with a backpack of 10-15 kg. You need to be able to ski stages of 20 km.
  • For booking terms and conditions, see information sheet

The price includes

  • Full board accommodation at Abisko Turiststation and at Kebnekaise Mountain station
  • Meals and accommodation in the huts along Kungsleden, Abisko-Kebnekaise
  • Sauna in Abiskojaure, Alesjaure and Sälka
  • Meal in Nikkaluokta
  • Guide certified according to the Swedish standard Fjälledarnomen or equivalent

More information

Program

Day 1:
Gathering after the arrival of the late train at Abisko Tourist Station. Shared dinner and information about the week’s program.

Day 2:
We ski south through Abisko National Park to Abiskojaure and the STF mountain huts on the southern shore of the lake. Here, we can enjoy a wood-fired sauna!

Stage Abisko – Abiskojaure: 15 km, elevation gain +100 m.

Day 3:
Today we leave the national park and the mountain birch forest behind us. The Alesjaure huts are nestled among high mountains and visible from far away. There is also a sauna to enjoy here!

Stage Abiskojaure – Alesjaure: 21 km, elevation gain +300 m.

Day 4:
Today’s stage up to the Tjäktja huts is short and pleasant.

Stage Alesjaure – Tjäktja: 13 km, elevation gain +200 m.

Day 5:
Towards the highest point on the King’s Trail – Tjäktja Pass, 1,140 m above sea level. The valley opens up, offering magical views throughout the day, and by the afternoon you arrive in Sälka. There is a sauna here to enjoy as well!

Stage Tjäktja – Sälka: 12 km, elevation gain +150 m, then -300 m.

Day 6:
We continue south through the magnificent U-shaped valley of Tjäktjavagge to the Singi huts. The route is easy to ski, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.

Stage Sälka – Singi: 12 km, elevation change -100 m.

Day 7:
Now the trail turns east into the Ladtjovagge valley. We ski into Ladtjovagge and onward to Kebnekaise Mountain Station, where showers, a sauna, and dinner await.

Stage Singi – Kebnekaise: 15 km, elevation gain +150 m, then -150 m.

Day 8:
On to Nikkaluokta. In the Ladtjovagge valley, you will once again encounter the birch forests. In Nikkaluokta, our week together comes to an end, and the arrangement concludes in connection with the bus departure to Kiruna.

Stage Kebnekaise – Nikkaluokta: 19 km, elevation change -200 m.

The program may change due to prevailing weather/snow conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

Important information

Accommodation:
1 night at Abisko Tourist Station, 5 nights in mountain huts along the King’s Trail, and 1 night at Kebnekaise Mountain Station. Unspecified bed in a shared room.

Meals:
Full board from dinner on the arrival day to lunch on the departure day. Meals in the mountain huts will be simple in nature and prepared together as a group.

Transport:
Transport from Nikkaluokta is not included and must be booked independently. The departure times of the bus from Nikkaluokta vary from year to year. If the bus only departs early from Nikkaluokta, we will arrange separate transport for participants at a cost equivalent to the bus fare, payable at the reception at STF Abisko Tourist Station. This allows participants to enjoy breakfast at STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station and make the most of the final day of the tour. A preliminary departure time for such transport is approximately 3:00 PM.

If you have luggage that you do not wish to carry during the tour, it is possible to send travel clothes and other belongings to Nikkaluokta for a small fee via Bussgods. Please bring a small bag for this purpose. To arrange transport of a bag to Nikkaluokta, contact Fjällboden at Abisko Tourist Station.

Experience Required:
To complete the ski tour, good physical fitness, solid skiing experience, and normal physical health are required. The distances between the huts range from 12–21 km. The greatest elevation difference on a single stage is approximately 300 m. A suitable mountain map is BD 6, preferably from 2012 or later.

About the Accommodation in the Mountain Huts:
In the huts, the beds are equipped with mattresses, pillows, and duvets. You bring your own sleeping bag. The huts are simple and functional accommodations in the mountains. Everyone staying in the huts helps with daily tasks, which means that you will take care of cooking, washing dishes, fetching water and firewood, cleaning, etc. In Abiskojaure, Alesjaure, and Sälka, you can also enjoy sauna bathing!

The huts visited during this ski tour have between 20 and 78 beds, and there are also extra mattresses for floor accommodation that may be used if the huts become fully booked during the high season.

There is no electricity in STF’s mountain huts. During the winter season, the nights are long, so you should bring a headlamp. Candles are available in the huts. Heating is provided by wood-burning or gas heaters, and cooking is done on gas stoves. If you want to charge electronic devices, bring a power bank.

There is only an emergency telephone in the huts, directly connected to the police. Mobile phone coverage generally does not work in the mountains.

Basic provisions are sold in Abiskojaure, Alesjaure, and Sälka. At these locations, you can buy dry goods and canned food, drinks, candy, etc. Fresh produce is not available in the mountain huts’ selection.

Further Information:
Detailed information regarding schedules, guides, etc. will be sent to registered participants approximately two weeks before the start of the tour.

Equipment

Please see our recommended packing list for a multi-day backcountry ski tour. (opens in new tab)

Keep in mind to pack light. In addition to your personal touring equipment, you will also need to carry food, water, and shared group safety equipment.

Hydration:
It is very important to maintain a good fluid balance; otherwise, you may become tired and sluggish. In addition to a thermos, bring a water bottle and a mug/cup. One useful tip is to place the water bottle inside a wool sock or mitten to reduce the risk of the water freezing.

You may choose to add a ski package to this tour. The package includes rental of backcountry skis with steel edges, boots, poles, and transport of the ski equipment back to Abisko. If you choose this option, you must complete a booking form and send it to abisko.butik@stfturist.se, preferably no later than 60 days before arrival. If the form is submitted later than this, we may have difficulty guaranteeing the availability of equipment in the correct size.

Equipment Rental:
Additional equipment is available for rent at Fjällboden at Abisko Tourist Station (opens in a new tab). As a participant on a long tour and a member of STF, you receive a 15% discount on rental prices.

Safety

Insurance during STF activity

If you are an STF member and take part in an activity organised by STF, you are covered by accident insurance during the activity. The insurance also applies to children accompanying a member up to and including the year the child turns 15.

About the area

Abisko is located in northern Lapland, around 250 km north of the Arctic Circle, and is one of Sweden’s most accessible alpine mountain areas. Abisko National Park offers a well-developed trail system with clearly marked routes, making the area suitable for both shorter trips and longer hikes.

The Kungsleden trail passes through the area, heading south between Lapporten (Čuonjavággi) and Mount Nuolja. To the north of Abisko lies Lake Torneträsk, one of Scandinavia’s largest mountain lakes, contributing to open views and a varied landscape.

The area is known for excellent conditions for seeing the northern lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer. Visitors can follow marked trails independently or join guided tours, and equipment rental is available if needed.

Booking conditions

You can cancel up to 30 days before arrival. After that, no refund will be issued. If the arrangement does not reach the minimum number of participants 30 days before it takes place, it may be cancelled.

The package can be booked no later than 30 days prior to arrival.

Contact

+46 101902360

Do you need help with your booking?

STF Abisko Turiststation
Kungsleden Abisko – Kebnekaise on Nordic backcountry skis

Packing list backcountry skiing

A multi-day backcountry ski tour takes you deep into the winter landscape.

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