There's so much to enjoy in the abundant snow and ice of Sweden's glittering winter wonderland.

From the snowboarder's wild paradise in Lapland to the family resorts in the southern mountains. Sweden's ski resorts have something to suit all tastes and levels of experience. Self-contained accommodation is easy to find, as well as the warm hospitality of hotels, many of which feature excellent leisure facilities.

There is also plenty to do on or off the skis. Dog sledding is widely available, so too snow-mobiling. There's horse-riding, ice fishing, ice-climbing, heli-skiing and reindeer-sledding. And at the end of the day relax in the hot sauna to loosen up those tired muscles.

Every winter more and more people are exploring the Swedish mountains. They are enticed by the excellent skiing opportunities in stunning surroundings, copious amounts of snow, excellent food and the friendly atmosphere. Skiers that like a challenge can choose from areas such as Åre, Riksgränsen and Hemavan or take a skiing excursion to Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest mountain.  For the adventurer Sweden offers awesome hills, burning attacks of lactic-acid, astounding mountain guides and extreme off-piste experiences with powder up to your armpits.

Many Swedish ski resorts are child-friendly and several are aimed specifically towards families with young children, with special ski lifts for children, grill areas, theme parks and funny 'characters', specially adapted snowboards, bobsleigh runs and snowmobiles where they can thunder around at dizzying speeds of 12 miles per hour!

In Idre, in the north of Dalarna, the saying is "children are our guests of honour, which is why it's important for them to have great ski areas where they can develop". Idre has four different ski areas designed entirely with children in mind, for example the Skicentre Syd with button operated lifts for the smallest children and the Askebackarna adventure land.

Another bonus; because the Idre resort area is so compact, older children are able to completely take care of themselves. There are numerous ski-runs, all based around the top of Idre Fjäll (mountain) and just a few hundred metres from the chalets.

Sälen in the Dalarna region features a similarly compact layout. This is not like the Alps where it doesn't feel safe enough to allow 10 year olds to navigate the gigantic and complex ski-lift system on their own.

Cross country lovers can choose from a wide variety of terrain with varying degrees of difficulty and character. Abisko mountain station in the far north is a central point from where you can journey out into the glorious Lapland mountain regions via an extensive system of marked winter trails. Further south you will find the classic Jämtland triangle that runs between Storulvån, Sylarna and Blåhammaren. The adjoining Härjedal mountain range offers the longest prepared system of tracks in the world of which over 300 kilometres are connected.

Ski Resorts:

Åre

Idre

Sälen

Vemdalen