12 Cozy Winter Experiences

Plenty of activities and an official Vasaloppet training center

Mount Billingen offers endless activities all year round. As an official Vasaloppet training center, it boasts well-maintained cross-country ski trails in various difficulty levels. If you prefer snowboarding or alpine skiing, Billingebacken offers great slopes with breathtaking views and a fun park.

The area also features a covered ice rink, sledding hills, a restaurant, a sports shop with equipment rental, and several cozy barbecue spots. And the best part? It’s just 3 kilometers from Skövde city center!

If you want to extend your stay, Billingen offers hotels, camping facilities, and charming cabins.

2. Silverfallet in its winter splendor

Just as beautiful all year round

The Silverfallet nature reserve is a fantastic destination even in winter. On cold days, you can experience a magical frozen landscape straight out of the movie Frozen.

Tip!

• Make a stop at Karlsfors Gård, located just below Silverfallet. Here, you’ll find a charming interior design shop, café, museum, and art gallery. It’s also the perfect place to park if you’re arriving by car.
• Bringing the kids? Great! At Karlsfors Gård, you can borrow an activity backpack filled with fun items like nature bingo, a magnifying glass, binoculars, and interesting facts about nature—perfect for a family adventure. Just ask in the shop!

3. Cross-country skiing on billingen

City-close skiing at its best

Just three kilometers from Skövde city center, you’ll find the cross-country ski trails on Billingen. Skiers of all ages come here to enjoy 35 kilometers of well-prepared trails winding through the forests of the plateau mountain. This is home to one of Sweden’s most modern and longest artificial snow facilities, featuring 10 kilometers of illuminated trails for both classic skiing and skate skiing.

Tip!

• Rent your cross-country skis close to the trails. Skip the hassle of carrying your own equipment and rent everything you need right on-site.
• Extend your stay and book an overnight stay on the mountain! Choose between a hotel or a cabin with ski trails right outside your door, or stay in central Skövde just a short bus ride from Billingen.

4. A wonderful day on the ice

Ice skating in all kinds of weather on billingen

No matter what kind of ice skating you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it in Skövde. Choose between indoor skating at Lillegården or an outdoor yet covered rink close to nature at Arena Billingen.

Tip!

• After a session on the ice at Billingen, treat yourself to a delicious meal or fika at Restaurang Toppen in Billingecenter. You can also bring your own packed lunch and warm it up in the microwave one floor down.
• Billingecenter also offers changing rooms and lockers where you can store your valuables.

5. Hot tips for a cold plunge

Find your perfect cold plunge spot

More and more people are discovering the refreshing sensation and health benefits of cold-water swimming. With several small lakes in the surrounding area, Skövde offers plenty of great spots for a winter dip. We’ve gathered some tips on the best lakes for a cold plungeand what to keep in mind before taking the plunge.

To the tips

6. Cozy winter days with the family

Great family activities both indoors and outdoors

Take a trip to Skövde for fun activities the whole family can enjoy and spend quality time together. We’ve gathered tips on cozy grill spots, the best sledding hills, ice rinks for skating, and exciting indoor activities. Bring a packed lunch or something to grill, and don’t forget some hot chocolate to make the experience even more special.

Tip!

• A guaranteed recipe for a great winter day is a trip to the sledding hill. Skövde has several great slopes for a thrilling ride. Gamla Billingebacken is located on the right side along Alhyddevägen, just before the final climb up the mountain.
• On the other side of the mountain, near Stora Kulhult outside Lerdala, you’ll find a fantastic sledding hill for both kids and adults.
• For water lovers, a visit to the Arena Skövde water park is a must!
• Don’t miss Balthazar Science Center, where the whole family can challenge their minds and learn something new.
• If the kids have energy to burn, head to Stellas Lekland or JumpYard, where they can jump, climb, and play until they are tired and satsfied.

7. Cultural experiences in Skövde

Let culture enrich your senses

Skövde offers cultural experiences for all ages and interests. From concerts, theater, cinema, and art exhibitions, you’ll find a mix of local talents and well-known artists from various fields.

Tip!

• Visit Sweden’s first cultural center, featuring a library, cinema, concert hall, art gallery, restaurant, and theater—all under one roof.
• Download the Skövde Streetmuseum app and take a self-guided city tour.
• Travel back in time by visiting one of Skövde’s museums.

8. Cozy grill spots and wind shelters

By lakes, on the mountain, and in the forest

Billingen offers several popular grill spots, some of which also have wind shelters. Pack some delicious food to grill, head out on an excursion, and enjoy a relaxing time outdoors.

Tip!

• Combine your grill experience with some fun at Aktivitetsplats Äventyret, an adventure playground located right next to the parking lot at Billingens outdoor recreation area.
• At Ryds grottor, you'll find a designated grill area with parking, tables, benches, and a stunning view over eastern Skaraborg.
• Near Ymsingsborg, a short distance from Ryds grottor, there are two different grill spots. The older one also features a wind shelter.
• In the winter-sleeping Rhododendron Valley, there is a prepared grill area with tables and benches, but remember to bring your own firewood.

9. Green winter hiking

Hiking on bare ground during the winter season

Hiking is a popular summer activity, but many don’t realize that it’s just as enjoyable in winter. Why stop exploring nature just because the temperature drops?

Most people associate winter hiking with snow-covered fir trees, frost-covered branches, and animal tracks in the snow. But in Skövde, winter hiking isn’t only about snow—there’s plenty to discover along the way. Plus, the crisp, refreshing air is just as invigorating all year round!

10. Flavorful dining experiences

A great selection of restaurants and cafés

Discover Skövde’s cafés, restaurants, and bars. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients and food made with love, there’s something for every taste. Come hungry and savor the flavors of Skövde!

11. Warm up with a relaxing spa visit

The perfect way to heat up your body

When the winter winds chill you to the bone and warmth feels like a distant memory, a spa visit is the perfect way to heat up your body and unwind your mind. Soon, Skövde will offer three different spas to choose from:

• Earth Spa at Billingehus is already open. In addition to warm and cold pools, various saunas, and a cozy lounge, you can relax in a resting room with a beautiful view over Skövde.
• Aqua Vitalis at Arena Skövde offers a wonderful space for warmth and relaxation, where you can also experience aufguss—a sauna ritual with different scents.
• In 2025, Spa Sociabelle will open at Karstorp, a charming manor with a history dating back to the 17th century.

12. Blängsmossen att mountain Billingen

Experience a mountain-like landscape close to the city

At Blängsmossen on Billingen, you can get a true mountain wilderness experience just five minutes from town. In winter, when the bog is frozen, you have the unique opportunity to explore this otherwise hard-to-reach and fascinating landscape.

Tip!

• When conditions allow, the bog is groomed for skiing, letting you glide across the frozen terrain on cross-country skis.
• Try snowshoe hiking! Join a guided tour or explore on your own. Snowshoes can be rented at the sports shop in Billingecenter.
• Interested in birdwatching? If you’re lucky, you might hear the barn owl calling on a late winter night at Blängsmossen.