Riksgransen

Riksgransen sits at the border on the iron ore railway between Kiruna and Narvik, and it works on a schedule opposite to most resorts: it opens in February, because before that there is not enough daylight, and it runs to around midsummer, when the sun no longer sets and lifts operate at midnight for skiing under it. Snow depth this far north and this close to the Atlantic is reliable and often deep. The terrain is above the treeline, open and exposed, with heli-skiing available in the surrounding fells. The place is a handful of buildings by the station - there is no village, and no road access other than the E10.

The main sights

• A season from February to midsummer - opposite to most resorts.
• Midnight skiing under the sun - in late May and June.
• Open terrain above the treeline - exposed and often deep.
• A resort at a railway halt - no village around it.

When to go

February to June; late May and June for midnight sun. Several days.

Before you go

There is nothing here beyond the resort - no town, few options. Weather closes the exposed terrain frequently. Early season has very little daylight. Prices are high for what is a small operation.

Nearby

Abisko is south-east; Narvik and the Norwegian coast are west.

Key facts