Sälen, Sälen

Composed of four separate ski areas, Sälen is the largest ski domain in Scandinavia. The separate areas are all connected by free shuttle bus, combining to offer 145km of pistes. Sälen provides everything required to create an ideal family venue. The slopes largely favour beginners and lower intermediates and the instructors speak excellent English, so it's a great place to learn. The lift system is typically efficient, adding to the uncrowded feel of all the resorts. However, if you are looking for hardcore pistes and wild nightlife, this isn't the place, while many may wince at the heavily taxed alcohol prices. The accommodation is good, if unexceptional. The mountains are not exactly spectacular, but rather hill-like and this adds to the gentle grading of the slopes. Also, the resort is a four-hour transfer from Stockholm. In the early season the skiing day can be very short.

Overall, Sälen is a very different venue from the Alps, but one that would suit beginners and families. Perhaps its most unique selling point is that it has the world's only ski-through McDonald's.