FAQ

A luggage room is available free of charge for all guests at STF Storulvån. If you prefer to store your belongings in a private locker, padlocks are available for purchase in the shop for 100 SEK, or you are welcome to bring your own.

Lockers may be used throughout the season with no time limit. At the end of the season, when the mountain station closes, any remaining padlocks will be cut off and the lockers emptied.

Lockers are available in different sizes. The smaller lockers can accommodate a daypack of approximately 30 litres or similar.

Mobile coverage is available in the immediate area around Abisko. However, just a few kilometres south into the national park and the mountain area, coverage disappears. If you are hiking along the King’s Trail (Kungsleden), you should not expect to have mobile reception again until you reach either STF Kebnekaise Mountain Station or STF Vakkotavare Mountain Cabin.

All STF mountain huts are equipped with emergency telephones connected to the police radio network. In an emergency, it is therefore possible to contact the police, but these phones cannot receive incoming calls. It is important to inform your family and friends about this so they do not worry unnecessarily.

Wänseth Buss operates a transfer bus that connects with the overnight train from Duved. The transfer must be booked no later than 5:00 PM on the day before departure via www.wansethbuss.se (opens in a new tab) or by phone at +46 647 220 20. Please note that card payments are not accepted on the bus. If you are travelling on a train other than the overnight train, you will need to arrange your own transportation.

We always recommend bringing a map and compass, even when following marked trails. They are essential if you get lost in bad weather, face an emergency, or simply want to plan your route in the evening. In heavy snowfall, visibility can be very poor, and a compass is crucial. Trail markers follow straight lines, with double markers indicating a change in direction—this is when knowing how to navigate with a compass becomes especially important.

Yes! You can pay by Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard and Amex. We do not accept Diners. We do not accept cash.

The summer trails along the Jämtland Triangle are wide and usually marked with orange paint on rocks. Signs are placed where the trails split. In some areas, summer and winter trails overlap, which may make it seem like summer trails are marked with trail crosses.

Winter trails are marked with red trail crosses, while summer trails have orange markings on rocks and trees. If you’re unsure – ask the staff!

All mountain stations and mountain cabins in the Jämtland mountains have a shop with essential supplies for provisioning. Storulvån, often the starting point for mountain hikes, has a well-stocked store offering clothing, equipment, souvenirs, and food.

Mountain cabins follow a standardized selection, though some may have more or slightly less than the basic assortment.

Bed linen and towels are not included when booking a bed or room at STF Storulvån. You can add a bed linen set (including a towel) when making your booking or rent one on arrival at check-in.

When staying at Storulvån, you need one of the following for your bed:

• a complete bed linen set,
• a sleeping bag together with a pillowcase, or
• a sleeping bag liner that covers the mattress, together with a pillowcase.

All bedding must be protected. Duvets and pillows are provided for all beds. Towels can also be rented separately.

Maps of the mountains are available for purchase at Kartbutiken.se online or from good bookshops. At our mountain stations you can buy maps of the surrounding area.

For a comprehensive and up-to-date weather forecast, we recommend accessing the SMHI website (opens in new tab) or using a weather forecast app that’s available on your mobile phone. It is important to keep in mind that the weather can change very quickly in the mountains, so pack your backpack for varying weather conditions.

Dining options vary between STF’s mountain stations and mountain huts.

Storulvån, Sylarna and Helags have restaurants with full licences to serve alcohol. Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner in the evening, and purchase breakfast and packed lunches in the morning.

Blåhammaren has a self-catering kitchen and a shop where you can buy ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The mountain huts are self-catering. Selected mountain huts have small shops with a varying selection of groceries and toiletries, allowing you to restock your supplies along the way. You can find an overview of what is available in each mountain hut here.

There is currently no passenger transport between Storulvån and Sylarna/Blåhammaren.

Touring and ski equipment is primarily available for rent at STF Storulvån during the winter season. During the summer, hiking poles are available to rent from the reception. Please contact the reception if you have any questions about the available equipment.

Storulvån is also a pickup and return point for Outdoor Buddies (opens in a new tab), which offers a wider range of outdoor equipment for rent. Equipment can be booked through Outdoor Buddies and picked up and returned at Storulvån.

Pre-book your equipment here (opens in new tab)

This is something you need to assess for yourself—skiing is done at your own pace and responsibility. It’s important not to overestimate your ability, but the distances between cabins and stations are designed so that anyone with basic fitness should manage. If it doesn’t feel right, there’s no shame in turning back!

Between February 1 and April 15, the road is closed at night from 10 PM to 8 AM. It may also close at short notice in bad weather, with the Swedish Transport Administration determining whether it is safe to travel.

Even when the road is closed, snowplows usually operate to ensure it can reopen in the morning. Please respect the closure—driving on a closed road can be dangerous, especially in severe weather, as there may be no space to safely pass the snowplow, increasing the risk of avoidable accidents.

For current traffic updates, check the Swedish Transport Administration’s website (opens in new tab) and search for road 1019.

Motorized traffic is very limited in the high mountains, and we do not offer snowmobile or tracked vehicle transport to the barrier if the road is closed.

No.

We highly recommend bringing climbing skins. They make long uphill sections easier and provide better grip on icy or hard-packed snow. If you’re pulling a sled, they are almost essential.

On the other side of Storulvån’s main building. Ski across the frozen Storulvån or walk over the bridge to the signs. The trails to Gåsen, Sylarna, and Blåhammaren split immediately.

All summit skiing in the area is at your own risk. There are no closed-off areas, so your own judgment determines where you ski.

Current avalanche forecasts (opens in new tab). We recommend staying updated on the latest conditions, understanding existing avalanche risks, and following expected developments in the coming days.

Learn more about avalanches (opens in new tab). There are also many good books on avalanche safety, route selection, and rescue techniques.

Touring skis are wider than regular cross-country skis and have steel edges, which are useful in untracked mountain terrain. The width helps in deep snow, while the steel edges provide grip on icy and hard-packed surfaces.

You can use regular cross-country skis, but be prepared for more challenging conditions in deep snow and icy slopes. Also, keep in mind that standard cross-country ski boots are not as warm as sturdy touring ski boots.

No, Storulvån does not sell fishing permits. However, fishing permits can be purchased online at natureit.se (opens in a new tab). Information about fishing in the area is available on the Jämtland County Administrative Board’s website (in Swedish and opens in a new tab).

All fishing waters around Storulvån are located within the Handölsdalen Sami community (Handölsdalens sameby).

Children are often more capable than we think, but for them to enjoy and endure the trip, it needs to be on their terms. Make the journey an adventure—take frequent breaks to play in the snow, look for reindeer, and have a snack. It’s a good idea to take your child on a longer ski trip at home first to see how they manage.

For younger children, a sled can be a great option, and child sleds are available for rent at Storulvån. Another helpful tip is to bring a tow rope to assist your child when the terrain gets tough. It can be attached to their backpack or a harness, and using climbing skins can be beneficial. Also, keep in mind that children experience cold differently than adults.

The time required to ski between accommodations in the Jämtland mountains varies greatly depending on fitness level, pack weight, and break times. On average, you can expect a speed of 3–4 km per hour.

Children are often more capable than we think, but for them to enjoy and manage the hike, it needs to be on their terms. Turn the hike into an adventure—take plenty of breaks to play in streams, look at flowers, watch for reindeer, and have a snack.

It’s a good idea to take your child on a longer hike at home first to see how they manage. There are many great hiking trails outside the mountains as well—who knows, you might discover a new favorite spot!

The trails begin just behind Storulvån’s main building, across the bridge over the stream. After crossing the bridge, follow the boardwalk to the trail junction, where signs indicate the different routes.

The old Gåsen Trail (now closed) branches off to the southeast before reaching the cabins on the far side of the stream. The trails to Sylarna and Blåhammaren continue past the cabins and split approximately 1 kilometre further on..

The trails are generally quite dry, with boardwalks over most wetlands. However, rain can make the trails wet, and some sections remain muddy year-round. If you stick to the trails and want to stay dry, mid-height hiking boots are sufficient. If you go off-trail, you may need to take detours to avoid marshes and wetlands unless you have high boots or rubber boots.

It’s also possible to hike in low-cut hiking shoes or running shoes, but if they’re not waterproof, expect to get wet. If that’s not a problem, all stations have drying rooms for wet shoes. Hiking boots are recommended if you’re carrying a heavy pack or need extra ankle and foot support.

This is something you need to assess for yourself—hiking is done at your own pace and responsibility. It’s important not to overestimate your ability, but the distances between cabins and stations are designed so that anyone with basic fitness should manage. If it doesn’t feel right, there’s no shame in turning back!

Blomsterleden leads to Getryggen, the mountain closest to Storulvån. The limestone-rich soil provides ideal conditions for a rich variety of plant life, including many rare flowers and alpine plants.

The trail continues almost all the way to the summit. The final section is unmarked and requires walking off-trail. The summit cairn is located at 1,382 metres above sea level.

The time required for a hike varies greatly depending on fitness level, walking speed, pack weight, and break times. In general, you can expect an average pace of 3 km per hour on the trails—slower in rocky or hilly terrain with a heavy pack, and faster on smooth paths with a light load.