Sälen

Sälen (pronounced [sæːlen]) is a locality situated in Malung-Sälen Municipality, Dalarna County, Sweden with 652 inhabitants in 2010.[1]

Sälen
Sunset and snow in Sälen
Sälen Show map of Dalarna Sälen Show map of Sweden
Coordinates: 61°09′N 13°16′E
Country	Sweden
Province	Dalarna
County	Dalarna County
Municipality	Malung-Sälen Municipality
Area [1]
• Total	1.33 km2 (0.51 sq mi)
Population  (31 December 2010)[1]
• Total	652
• Density	491/km2 (1,270/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)

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.[2] 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 remains popular for recreation, cross country skiing and downhill skiing. Newer resorts with steeper mountains are Hundfjället and Granfjället. Other resorts are Stöten, 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. Most visitors are Swedish families with children and car; as such there is little in the way of nightlife, no central square or plaza, and accommodations are decentralized.