Hemavan Tarnaby

Hemavan and Tarnaby sit eighteen kilometres apart on the road to Mo i Rana, in the mountains of southern Lapland, and each has a ski area - Tarnaby's steeper, which is where Ingemar Stenmark grew up skiing, and Hemavan's larger and above the treeline. What gives them a second season is the Kungsleden: the trail's southern terminus is at Hemavan, so summer walkers start or finish here, and the Vindelfjallen reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Europe, begins immediately behind. A mountain botanic garden on the slope grows the alpine flora of the region. A small airport serves the valley.

What you actually see

• Two ski areas eighteen kilometres apart - Tarnaby steeper, Hemavan larger.
• The southern end of the Kungsleden - the trail starts at Hemavan.
• Vindelfjallen behind - one of Europe's largest protected areas.
• A mountain botanic garden - the alpine flora of the district.

When to go

December to April for skiing; June to September for walking. Several days.

Honest expectations

It is a long way from anywhere - the drive or flight is a commitment. Ski areas are small compared with Are or Salen. Mosquitoes are heavy in early summer. Services are limited between seasons.

Nearby

The Kungsleden runs north; the Norwegian border is west.