Kungsberget: Where royals and rascals come to ski

By Emma Rodin | Photos: Branäsgruppen

A haven for skiing families, Kungsberget is bustling with opportunities for beginners and regulars to develop their skills in a carefully curated environment. And, at just 90 minutes’ drive from Stockholm’s Arlanda airport, Kungsberget happens to be one of the most accessible ski getaways in the country. No wonder this is a smash hit.

It all began in the 1930s when a man named Johan Larsson embarked on a lone mission, cutting down trees and preparing the slope by foot, for his own skiing pleasure. That slope is still part of the resort and is fittingly named Johans Backe, Swedish for Johan’s Slope. “His daughter still skis at Kungsberget and she is well into her 80s!” says Mikael Elford, head of sales and marketing at Branäsgruppen which runs Kungsberget. “She loves it too much to stop and is a true ambassador.”

The slope grew with the installation of the first lifts in the 1970s during the Ingemar Stenmark wave, when the famous World Cup Alpine skier stole the hearts of the Swedes – and the rest of the world. However, it was not until 2007 when Kungsberget was acquired by Branäsgruppen and turned into the modern, high-quality ski resort it is today with numerous slopes, around 3,500 beds, a supermarket, four restaurants and an eight-seat express lift.

“The growth we’ve seen over the past few years is crazy. More and more, people choose Kungsberget over the northern ski resorts due to convenience. I always say that what you lose in altitude coming here, you win back in time,” explains Elford.

Kungsberget: Where royals and rascals come to ski

Slopes for every level

The resort is open from December to Easter and has something to offer for all ages. “Our resort is perfect for families and beginners. In fact, we’re currently improving our Rundturen slope to help beginners ski down the mountain all the way from the top. Naturally, we also have great black pistes for those looking for a challenge. The key is that all slopes land in the same, central area – it’s basically impossible to lose one another,” says Elford.

This gives a sense of closeness and security – ski on your own terms and meet up at the bottom and stay together, no matter the slope or time of day. “This is perfect for families because you don’t risk ending up in another village altogether,” adds Elford. “I was skiing abroad once when this happened to me!”

What’s more, kids will rejoice in visiting the newly improved Björnbuseland, an area purely designed for them with fun and easy skiing. Here, children can enjoy three manned lifts (with adult support always on hand), low incline slopes, which are perfect for practising turns with lots of curious figurines dotted around. “The idea is that little ones can grow their confidence on skis, but most importantly, have fun while doing so.”

Kungsberget: Where royals and rascals come to ski

Swift and smooth rental service

At Kungsberget, you won’t need to waste a minute standing in line for a set of skis. “Our ski rental service is run through a pre-booking system,” Elford explains. “You pre-book at ease and simply pick up your gear – it’s not like in the old days when you would queue all morning. It’s all done on the phone beforehand, so you can spend more time on the slopes.”

Après-ski, done right

Kungsberget’s dining spots have seen a complete overhaul to offer the best food and service, and the culinary delights at the four restaurants make the perfect complement to a weekend getaway with the family, or business trip. “We have a fantastic restaurant manager with tons of experience and we’re on track to double the size of our burger joint,” says Elford.

After food comes après-ski revelry. “It starts with a show for the kids featuring our mascots, Björnbusarna,” Elford says. “They sing and dance for our youngest guests, and later, the après-ski starts for our adult guests.” Then, depending on where you stay, you can always unwind in a gym, sauna and spa. When it is time to head back to your cabin, you might be lucky enough to see the northern lights or spot a trail of footprints from the Swedish wildlife. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you might enjoy seeing a star or two; rumour has it that the crown princess and her family often ski here.

But most important is Kungsberget’s service and facilities – where the focus is on making your stay as smooth as possible. “The time between checking in and getting onto the slopes is quick and easy,” adds Elford. “All the living areas are right by the slopes, with everything you need a stone’s throw away. We know how valuable your time is and won’t let you waste it.”