Stöten 50 years!
STÖTEN CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
From a small mountain resort for day trips in the northern Sälen mountains to an acclaimed top-class ski resort! Below are some of the most important milestones in Stöten's history.
- 1976 - Stöten opened
The ski resort was founded by entrepreneurs Bertil Lind and Torsten Widing. They wanted to create an area for day trips in the Sälen mountains that offered steeper, more challenging and better skiing. - 1980s Stöten is gradually growing
During the 1970s and 1980s, the resort really began to establish itself as a destination for Swedish downhill skiers and Stöten invested in new lift and service developments. - 1985 - Stöten's first chairlift is inaugurated
A 3-chair lift, Stöten's first chairlift, is inaugurated at Soltorget next to the current Ravinen slope. - 1990 - Slalom World Cup
The men's World Cup slalom is organised in Stöten and among the winners was the legend Alberto Tomba. The event put the Stöten on the map internationally. - 2000s Stöten is further developed
The resort is growing as new lifts, slopes and accommodation are built. The whole of Sälen is growing as a winter sports destination and the attractiveness of the region is increasing. - 2005 - Stöten's first 6-seater chairlift is inaugurated
The 6-chair World Cup Express lift will be inaugurated at the Stöten square, significantly increasing the capacity to receive even more guests for Stöten.
- 2013 – Stöten Adventure is conceptualised
The concept of eight adventure arenas under the collective name Stöten Adventure is inaugurated with the new additions Vargy's adventure course, Speed Freak and Side by Side in the lead. - 2016 – Vargy Express opens
The new Soltorget area is being developed with new slopes, service facilities and the opening of Sälenfjället's fastest chairlift, Vargy Express. Major investments are also being made in expanded snow production. - 2018 – Grandma's downhill race becomes Dalarna's longest descent
Stöten inaugurates the new major investment Mormors störtlopp, which is Dalarna's longest descent with its 3060 metres. They also expand accommodation capacity with 800 new beds at Soltorget. - 2019 – Scandinavian Mountains Airport opens
The new airport, located just 15 minutes from Stöten, makes the region significantly more accessible to both national and international visitors.
Stöten named Ski Resort of the Year 2019
The Swedish Ski Resorts Organisation (SLAO) awards Stöten the coveted award for its efforts and positive development. - 2020 – Älvan becomes Sweden's best piste
For the first time, the ski run Älvan is named Sweden's best piste by the readers of Freeride - a title that Stöten will be awarded several times over the coming years.
- 2020s New investments in the plant
Stöten continues to invest millions in snowmaking systems, new runs and accommodation to develop the resort to meet increased demand. - 2022 - Stöten is named Sweden's best ski resort in 2022
Freeride readers voted Stöten Sweden's best ski resort with almost a quarter of the votes. In the same year, the resort is also awarded Sweden's best piste (Älvan) and Sweden's best ski resort for families with children. - 2023 – Stöten Ski Lodge Soltorget opens
The newly built lodge is opened and becomes an instant success with its modern mountain style and bright, spacious apartments. At the same time, Torsten's restaurant and Bertil's bistro open in the building.
Stöten Ski Shop opens
The resort's third ski hire shop is opened in Ski Lodge Soltorget's premises, now under its own management. In addition to a complete ski hire service, there is also a ski workshop and shop directly adjacent. - 2025 - New slopes make the mountain more accessible
The new, blue Farfars fartvind slope is inaugurated at Skidtorget and opens up the possibility for more of Stöten's guests to discover all three squares. The slope will be the starting point for future plans for Skidtorget with the new chairlift planned in the long term.
Did you know that the first mountain tourists in Sweden were air tourists? They went to the mountains to take a breather. They mostly did nothing. They enjoyed just being. Took a walk. Warmed their toes in front of the fire. Maybe you already know that? But do you know what Vargy eats on Saturdays? Or how high Sälen's peak is? Here you have all the answers!
1976
The year was 1976, the same year that Ingemar Stenmark won the World Cup in alpine skiing for the first time, Thorbjörn Fälldin became Prime Minister, Apple Computer was started by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Swedes got to know both Björn Borg and Queen Silvia, young people drank banana-flavoured Zingo and downhill skiing became fashionable.
This is how it started
The initiative for the Stöten ski resort was taken by the two entrepreneurs Bertil Lind who was the founder of Lindvallen and Torsten Widing who owned Högfjällshotellet. They wanted to find an area for day trips for the other Sälen destinations, so that they could offer their guests a little steeper and better skiing, a little more challenge.
Pretty soon it became clear that people wanted to stay and go for several days, so building cottages and hotels became a natural thing to do. That's the way it is. Stöten is part of Sälen but still with its own soul, characterised by the mountain environment, which must be the most breathtaking in all of Dalarna.
In 1976, the very first skier was dragged to the top of the mountain.
Sälen's thanks
Östra Granfjället is the highest peak in the Sälen mountains at 948 metres above sea level. The north side offers magnificent views of the Swedish and Norwegian mountains. The King's Trail and the Östra Granfjällsturen cross-country trail, a 16-kilometre hike, also lead here. You can easily get up with the WC Express and then glide easily down a kilometre to the top of Mormors Störtlopp. The trail continues around Östra Granfjället, past Närfjällsstugan and along the snowmobile track back to WC-Express which takes you down again.
Älvan
The slope with Sälen's highest drop is ranked by many as Sälen's, and perhaps Sweden's, undoubtedly best piste. Both the Swedish Championships in giant slalom and the World Championships in telemark have been held here. Can you stand it all the way?
Älvan has been voted Sweden's best piste several times by Freeride.se readers.
Stöten
A quick search on the name stöten brings up everything from criminal
The name Stöten is an abbreviation of Granfjällsstöten, which means a steep side on Granfjället.
Vargy
Did you know that Vargy, the world's friendliest and cosiest wolf, eats salad by the truckload on Saturdays? Guess what he eats every other day? Sweets of course!
Stötens Wall of Fame
Ski fans had their say - Stöten wins big vote
About Stöten
It all started as a day trip option for skiers from the rest of the Sälen, looking for better and sharper skiing...
Suzuki
Experience Suzuki first hand!
Stöten App
Get even more out of your ski holiday in Stöten! Our apps allow you to start planning your trip to Stöten well in advance, but they also streamline your stay once you're there.