Your guide to crosscountry ski trails in Skellefteå

It might sound a bit pretentious to say that Skellefteå is the cradle of skiing. That it all started here thousands of years ago, but the fact is that the world's oldest preserved ski was found in Kalvträsk, just outside Skellefteå. It is dated to 3,200 BC and is thus over 5,200 years old.

Today, Skellefteå offers one of Sweden's best cross-country skiing systems up at Vitberget, just two kilometers north of the city center. There is a wide range of easy trails that are perfect for families, but also tough and hilly trails for those who train hard. In addition, there are around 30 additional trails around the municipality, both lighted and unlit, opening up the possibility of regular cross-country skiing.

VITBERGET

Where: Vitberget, central Skellefteå

Length: 3 - 10 km (3 km illuminated)

Difficulty: Easy - Advanced

Suitable for children: Yes, for the whole family

Description: Vitberget's 3 km long lighted trail is the one that attracts the most enthusiasts. It is a slightly hilly track suitable for both classic cross-country skiing and skating. At the start of the track, parking and a warming hut are available.

To get there by car, drive up the hill past Skellefteå Kraft Arena and turn left towards Skellefteå Bike Arena. Immediately after the park, turn right up a small hill, and you will see the parking area straight ahead.

LÖVÅNGER

Where: Central Lövånger

Length: 2.5 km illuminated

Difficulty level: Easy

Suitable for children: Yes, suitable for the whole family

Description: The trail is a nice forest loop that takes you around Kyrksjöberget and Kyrksjön to then take you back to the parking lot. About 1 km from Lövånger center. At the church, follow the road Kyrkren until you reach the cemetery. From there, take Dahlephils väg up to Kyrksjön. The ski trail starts right next to Kyrksjön.

BYSKE

Where: Central Byske

Length: 0.5 km - 5 km (4 km illuminated)

Difficulty: Easy - Medium

Suitable for children: Yes, for the whole family

Description: The three lighted ski trails are Teknikslingan, which is 0.5 km long, tricky and fun with sharp turns, the 1.5 km trail, which is easy to ride, and the 4 km trail, which has relatively mild climbs and descents. In addition to these, there are also 2.5 km and 5 km ski trails that are daylight trails. These two are tougher and a little more hilly. The track is only a few hundred meters from Byske center. From the gas station, take the road towards Byske Havsbad. When you get to the soccer field, the start of the ski track is on the opposite side of the road by a small red cabin.

BURTRÄSK

Where: Central Burträsk

Length: 1.5 km, 2.5 km, 5 km

Difficulty: Easy - Medium

Suitable for children: Yes, for the whole family

Description: In Burträsk there are three cross-country ski tracks, of which the two longer ski tracks of 5 km and 2.5 km are illuminated. These can easily be combined in different ways to put together a classic 10 km loop for those who want to go a little further. Take the road Skolgatan from Burträsk center about 0.7 km. All three ski tracks start at the Isbjörnen ice rink right next to the school.

BOLIDEN

Where: Central Boliden

Length: 1.5 km, 2.5 km, 3.5 km

Difficulty level: Easy

Suitable for children: Yes, for the whole family

Description: The lighted trail has lengths of 3.5 km, 2.5 km, and 1.5 km. The cross-country ski trail has its beginning located next to Bolidengården, the old wooden building at the edge of the forest right next to Lake Sidtjärn, just a few hundred meters from the center of Boliden.

JÖRN

Where: Central Jörn

Length: 5.3 km illuminated

Difficulty: Easy - Medium

Suitable for children: Yes. Suitable for the whole family

Description: The ski trail stretches from the hotel in Jörn and leads to a nice forest loop around the mountain Majaberget. The total length of the ski trail is 5.3 km, but there are a couple of shortcuts that allow the trail to be shortened slightly. About 0.5 km from the center, take a right turn at Furugatan. The ski trail starts at the indoor swimming pool building located right next to the school.

KÅGE

Where: Central Kåge

Length: 2.8 km illuminated

Difficulty: Easy - Medium

Suitable for children: Yes, for the whole family

Description: The trail is a nice forest trail that starts and ends at the same place. If you want to go a little shorter, it is possible to take a shortcut and cut the loop about in half. From Ica Supermarket, follow Gamla Kågevägen about 0.5 km and take a left turn. The ski trail starts right next to the tennis court.

Skiing with children

To give children a good experience on cross-country skis, it is important to have the right equipment adapted to their height and weight. Nordic skis are recommended for older children, as they provide better grip and glide than fish-scale skis, which are best suited to young children under the age of three. Make sure your ski boots are comfortable and keep your feet warm without being too big. Training should be playful and undemanding, with a focus on variety and short sessions to keep interest. Create fun tracks and let children try different techniques, such as skating without poles and skating. Teach them to crouch on slopes for a more stable position and to lean forward to avoid falls. Make skiing an excursion rather than just a training session. Bring a coffee, enjoy nature and experience the time together as a fun and social activity.

Text and photo: Visit Skellefteå