Sledding hills in Stockholm

When the snow finally comes, everyone heads out at once. These are hills around Stockholm that other parents recommend, with what we know about each one. Conditions change from day to day, so a hill may be icy or bare.

In the City of Stockholm

• Tantolunden, Södermalm. The hills aren't very steep and are easy to climb back up. Good for small children, with cafés nearby.
• Vita bergen, Södermalm. A medium-length, easy hill starting by Sofia church. Good for younger kids.
• Blommensbergsbacken, Gröndal. Longer than Tantolunden, a former ski slope by the lake Trekanten. The lake ice can be thin, so keep an eye on where the hill ends.
• Ålstensbacken, by Alviksvägen. Steeper at the top and better for confident sledders. Younger kids can start further down where it is gentler.
• Lärarbacken, by Lärarhögskolan. Short but fast, and quick to climb again. Good for younger kids.

Outside the city

• Lida outdoor centre, Botkyrka. Two hills for small and big kids, and artificial snow means they can open even when there's little snow. You can borrow a sled pad if you don't have a sled. Lida Värdshus serves lunch and fika. Lida itself recommends a helmet because the snow can be hard.
• Alby, Tyresö. The municipality has two runs: a straight one of about 60 metres, and one that winds down a dug-out channel like a toboggan run. There is a rope railing to hold on the way up.
• Nacka, Sicklaön. Among others the hollow in the Henriksdalsringen courtyard, the hill between Danviksklippan and Anders Franzéns park, Papegojbacken on Huginsvägen, and a small hill for the youngest in the old terraced-house area on Kvarnholmen.

Don't sled here

Don't sled in cemeteries. The management of Skogskyrkogården has said sledding is not allowed there. Our advice is also to avoid hills that end at a road, a car park or a lake.

Sledding safely

• Helmet. 1177, the Swedish health service, says children need a helmet when sledding. Read more in When should kids wear a helmet?.
• No scarf. Swap the scarf for a neck warmer. A scarf can get caught.
• Look down first. Our advice: walk down and check the hill before the kids go, so you see stones, ice and what is at the bottom.
• One at a time. Wait until the last sledder is out of the way, and walk up at the side of the hill, not in the middle.
• Snow tubes and snow racers are fast. A snow tube can pick up speed quickly and is made for older kids. Our advice: let the youngest use an ordinary sled or a sled pad.