Tried It For You: Midsummer at the Top of a Ski Slope

Watching the sunset and sunrise in the same night? It’s entirely possible in Sweden, especially around Midsummer, when the days are endless and the sun barely disappears. I tried an extraordinary experience for you: spending the night atop a ski slope near Kallhäll, in Stockholm County. Here’s the story of a night suspended between orange skies and fresh grass.

The adventure begins in Stockholm County, with a group of friends. We set off with hiking backpacks filled with blankets for the night and a well-stocked picnic, heading toward Kallhäll.

Practical info: Take Line 43 from Stockholm City and get off at Kallhäll station.

After arriving at the station, we walk about five kilometers through the forest with a view of the lake. The sky is already painted in beautiful colors, and we hurry to get there before 10 p.m. Expect about an hour of slow-paced hiking (make sure to wear good shoes) to reach the bottom of the ski slope. The final step of our journey is the ascent—quite steep, but we press on slowly and eventually reach a panoramic viewpoint.

Practical info: There are several barbecue areas along the way. At the base of the slope, there’s also a parking lot.

At 10 p.m., we begin our picnic. It’s windy, but the trees offer some shelter. The evening begins. The sun gradually sets amid laughter and photo-taking, but the colors of the sky remain all night long. Around 1 a.m., the sun has set, but the sky is still orange, and the moon is visible amidst the stunning colors. It’s cold, so we roast marshmallows over a fire.

Practical info: There is a designated fire pit. Make sure to extinguish it completely before leaving.

And then the waiting begins. We’re tired, but the sky is so beautiful that we can’t sleep.

At 3:31 a.m., the sun finally rises—yellow, orange, and pink hues fill the sky, leaving us in awe. At 4:00 a.m., we leave the ski slope in broad daylight.

There are buses running throughout the night. We walk about 30 minutes to the stop. And that’s how our night ends. I wholeheartedly recommend this unique experience. One last tip if you want to try it: bring warm clothes!

This is how I spent my first Midsummer in Sweden—I hope you enjoyed the story.