In the 1920s, a railway to Sälen was built which marked the beginning of the development and expansion of the mountain world. Sälenstugan and Högfjällshotellet were tourist buildings which people travelled to by horse and sledge or by carriage. In 1922, the first Vasaloppet ski race was launched in Sälen, with 119 participants, very different to the thousands of skiers who take part today. The first slalom slope was built in 1946 by Sälenstugan and the first lift was opened in 1949.
Development
In the 1960s, the development took off for real when the first lift was opened in Tandådalen in 1963, the first lift in Hundfjället in 1966, and the first lift and ski slope were opened in Lindvallen in 1967. Even during the 1970s and 1980s lots of things happened in Sälen: new cabin villages were built, new slopes were opened and several big lifts were built, including the plexi-glass Panorama Express in Tandådalen which was the first lift in the world to have an automatic hood.
Expansion
In 2001, Sälenstjärnan AB, which at the time owned Lindvallen, Högfjället, Tandådalen and Hundfjället, changed its name to Skistar AB. The ski resorts Åre, Vemdalen, Hemsedal and Trysil were also subsequently acquired by Skistar AB.
The development in Sälen continues, and in December 2009, Experium opened in Snötorget in Lindvallen. Experium is a unique experience centre where the facilities include a water park, spa, restaurants, bowling and 3D cinema. Ahead of the 2010/11 season, a new ski area will open in Hundfjället, Trollbäcken, with two slopes and a new lift.
