Sälen
Sälen | |
|---|---|
Sunset and snow in Sälen | |
| Coordinates: 61°09′N 13°16′E / 61.150°N 13.267°E | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Dalarna |
| County | Dalarna County |
| Municipality | Malung-Sälen Municipality |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.33 km2 (0.51 sq mi) |
| Population (31 December 2010) | |
• Total | 652 |
| • Density | 491/km2 (1,270/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Sälen (pronounced [sæːlen]) is a locality situated in Malung-Sälen Municipality, Dalarna County, Sweden with 652 inhabitants in 2010.
Despite its small population, Sälen receives many tourists every winter. Sälen is best known for hosting the start of Vasaloppet, the oldest (since 1922) and largest cross country ski race in the world, with over 15,000 participants in the main race alone. It is also known for its many alpine ski resorts, of which there are seven. The oldest resort in Sälen is Högfjällshotellet which was built in 1937 and remains popular for recreation, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing. Newer resorts with steeper mountains are Hundfjället and Stöten. Other resorts are Lindvallen, Näsfjället, Tandådalen, and Kläppen. Today Lindvallen, Högfjället, Tandådalen and Hundfjället are operated by the Skistar company. Lindvallen and Högfjället are connected with ski lifts, as is Tandådalen with Hundfjället The vertical height is up to 350 m.