Curious About Life in Skellefteå? This Is What It Is Like

Curious about life in Skellefteå? This is what it is like.

Everything you need to know about life as a Skelleftebo. Homes, family life, leisure and careers. Facts and figures. Stories and ideas. In short, everything.

Helping you get here.

Are you fed up with not living in Skellefteå? Are you wondering whether moving here is the right step for you right now? Good, because we are planning on helping you get here. Obviously there are a lot of things to consider when you are thinking about making the big decision of moving to a new town. Will we find a nice place to live? What is the childcare like and will we find fun leisure activities? Can I find an exciting and fulfilling profession? Here you will find the answers to your questions.

Table of contents:

Pages 4–11 Homes Pages 12–17 Family Pages 18–21 Careers Pages 22–27 Leisure Pages 28–29 Experiences

2. 18.

22. 28.

4. 12. "In the summer it is so green that we can hardly see the houses on the other side of the river."

Where the river makes life flow

Marlene Dunder looks out on the river and sighs a little. – There certainly is something special about water. Almost like fire. Incredibly calming and you never get tired of looking at it.

Marlene and Emil found the house at Norra Tuvan Marlene says there are plenty of families with in Skellefteå just over five years ago. They were children in the area and a generally lovely at- heading home from a boat trip when they passed mosphere. Once in a while they meet up for joint the house by the river and said to each other: "We barbecues. And the river is always an important should live here." A while later they found out that part of life. the house had been put on the market for sale. – We often go for a dip in the river after we have – The viewing was on my birthday, the 2nd of been in the sauna. It is rarely warm, but it is refresh- June, and it was the first and last viewing we went ing and the currents are not particularly strong. to. Initially we never dreamed it would become our house, but a week later we were proud home Good for the soul owners. I remember it as a very strange feeling, Marlene believes living by the river is important to says Marlene. the entire family. – You become more peaceful as a person by A country retreat close to town living in such tranquil and quiet surroundings. It Marlene is originally from Kalix, but she has stud- is incredibly beautiful in the spring when the ice ied and worked in Stockholm for a few years, both breaks up, and very colourful in the autumn. And in as a skin therapist and a massage therapist. When the summer it is so green that we can hardly see she was offered the chance to buy a company in the houses on the other side of the river. Skellefteå, she accepted and moved up here. – I had lived in Skellefteå earlier and knew I really liked the town. FACTS For the past nine years she has run the company Name: Marlene Dunder Vila Hudvård at Dunder och Book in the centre of Family: Partner Emil Bjurman and children Noah Skellefteå. And she loves living in the house by the and Elis river, together with Emil and their two children. Works: Authorised skin therapist at Dunder Sauna sessions and river dips och Book – There is such a rural atmosphere here, with Lives: Norra Tuvan horses on the farm next door and boats sailing by Thoughts on living in Skellefteå: A cosy little town full of wonderful people and plenty on the river. And yet we can cycle into town in just of opportunities. 20 minutes on a lovely bicycle path.

You will be there soon How long does it actually take to get to various places in Skellefteå, estimated from the centre of town? Here are the facts and figures.

By car Jörn 56 minutes

By car 34 minutes Walk to the allotments in Boliden 13 minutes

Stämningsgården Sjungande Dalen

Norrböle Degerbyn Prästbordet Cycle to a good fishing spot in 20 minutes

Lund

Walk to campus in 7 minutes

Sunnanå Sörböle E4 Falkträsket Cycle to a bathing spot in 17 minutes

By car 40 minutes

Burträsk

8. By car 21 minutes

Byske

By car 11 minutes N Kåge

Solbacken Vitberget

Norrböle Alhem Drive to Morö Backe ski tracks in 4 minutes

Moröhöjden Morön Hedensbyn

Walk to campus Cycle to giant in 7 minutes ice creams in Norra Tuvan 21 minutes Tuvan By car Anderstorp 13 minutes Sörböle E4 Bergsbyn Ursviken Stackgrönnan By car 17 minutes

Skelleftehamn

By car 9 minutes By car 19 minutes Skellefteå Golfklubb Bureå By car Drive to the airport 41 minutes in 20 minutes Lövånger

S Skellefteå Airport Homes Big or small? Old or new? Centre of town or rural idyll? There is every chance of finding the right home at the right price in Skellefteå.

the town of my dreams finding a place to let If you are you hoping to live in the heart of If you're looking to rent a home in Skellefteå, there Skellefteå, there are many areas with different are several ways to go about it. The municipal characteristics to choose from. Quiet villa areas, company Skebo is Skellefteå's biggest housing co- practical flats and newly built terraces, perfect for operative, with approximately 7,000 flats located families with children who need lots of space. What in most parts of the municipality. Apartments to they all have in common is quick and easy access let can be found at skebo.nu. In addition there is a to everything the town has to offer. large number of private landlords, which are listed at www.skelleftea.se/hittabostad thriving communities in other parts of the municipality Building societies for more choice If you would rather live further away from town, If you wish to live in a flat that you own and are but still would like access to all amenities, there in charge of, there are building societies in most are many villages within a comfortable commut- parts of Skellefteå municipalities. There are many ing distance. Byske, Lövånger, Burträsk, Kåge, interesting alternatives and enjoyable environments Boliden, Bureå and Jörn are all good examples of both for those who wish to live close to the town neighbourhoods outside the centre of Skellefteå centre and for those who would rather live further that offer every amenity necessary for practical afield. Near the sea, near the forest or near the living. town? It is up to you.

the quiet countryside The price of the villa is right! Skellefteå is surrounded by towns and smaller The selection of villas and terraced houses in Skel- communities in picturesque environments. If you lefteå makes it easy to find a practical and enjoy- are looking for an idyllic life in the countryside, you able place to live, regardless of your age. You can have every opportunity of finding what you're look- either find somewhere in the middle of town, or at ing for here. In addition, the distances are so short a suitable distance from town. And considering that that you can often combine rural living with working villa prices are below SEK 10,000 per m2, there is in the urban parts of Skellefteå. a good chance of finding the perfect home. www.skelleftea.se/landsbygd Befriend an estate agent Life by the sea The easiest place to find your dream home is to Skellefteå is a special place in many ways. Not contact one of the many estate agents in Skel- least considering how easy it is to find a home by lefteå. They are totally on top of what's on offer the sea. If you have a desire to live near the sea and will help you make the right decision. At breeze, you should have a closer look at what the www.skelleftea.se/hittabostad there is a list town can offer. over estate agents in Skellefteå. It is a good idea to start there.

10. BUILDING YOUR OWN Many people dream of building something completely from scratch. Whether you are looking for a permanent residence or a holiday home, there is still plenty of available land for sale in interesting neighbourhoods, both centrally and in the surrounding villages. Or why not by the sea or near a lake? Land for sale can be found on www.skelleftea.se/ hittabostad Skellefteå living in a sustainable wooden town Skellefteå has a long tradition for wooden construction, and is Sweden's leading town within sustainable, environmentally friendly construction. The combination of the region's forests, world-class research and some of the country's foremost wood industries has made it natural for Skellefteå to drive the development in this sector. Skellefteå municipality has chosen to support a sustainable development by actively ordering the construction of wooden buildings. This covers everything from wooden blocks of flats and public buildings, to wooden bridges and Sweden's first retail area built entirely in wood. Stockholm 12. "The preschool is situated just at the edge of the forest, which makes it a marvellous playground.” The art of maximising the children's intake of fresh air

Skellefteå resident Björn Elvå was born at Öland but waxes lyrical about his children's childhood environment: – It can hardly be improved on. I think we have a lovely "Bullerby Children" atmosphere here in Skellefteå.

When Björn Elvå met Skellefteå girl Jenny ten Security develops naturally years ago, he quickly made a life-changing deci- Without hesitation, Björn lists a number of benefits sion. He quit his job and moved to her home town. to living in Skellefteå with children, compared to other places he has lived further south. The optimum environment for all children – Obviously it is great that the children can walk – I didn't have another job lined up here, but it has to school on their own even when they are young. worked itself out very nicely, says Björn. There is something lovely about small-scale living, Ten years on he is still working as an air freight people recognise each other and we know who forwarder, and says he hasn't regretted moving for most people are. This is something we really ap- a second: preciate and we notice that the children get a sense – I love the atmosphere in Skellefteå and it has of security from that, he says. been very easy to get to know the town. Besides, Björn also has positive experiences from his it is the perfect environment for us as a family with dealings with Skellefteå municipality: young children. It is close to the wilderness and – Everything has gone so smoothly and it is there are plenty of opportunities for fishing and noticeable how easy it is to deal with an appropri- other outdoor activities. ately-sized municipality. They don't make things so complicated, and everything feels straightforward The forest is the best playground and honest. Together Björn and Jenny have the children Minna, who is five, and Loke, who is almost one. The youngest is at home with Björn, who is on paternity FACTS leave, and Minna goes to preschool near their home Name: Björn Elvå at Stämningsgården. Family: Partner Jenny Larsson and children – The preschool is situated just at the edge of Minna and Loke the forest, which makes it a marvellous playground Lives: Stämningsgården that you really want to look after. The staff make Why Skellefteå is a good place for families sure the children spend a lot of time outdoors and with young children: Close to nature and plenty it is obvious that they benefit from it. Minna's face of outdoor activities. The small scale gives the children a sense of security while growing up. lights up when she tells us what they have been doing in the forest, says Björn.

14.

For the family Skellefteå is much appreciated by families with young children who find it a place where it is incredibly easy to make life work.

Skellefteå for children go everywhere by bicycle If you ask a family with young children what the Thanks to the relatively short distances and best part of living in Skellefteå is, they are likely the great bicycle paths it easy to get around in to reply that "it is a great place to grow up". And it Skellefteå, even for children. As there is no need is very difficult to counter this argument. Being so to cross busy intersections, children and adults close to everything and all the picturesque play- alike can go anywhere they like by bicycle. grounds are just a few of the factors that make Skellefteå a town for children. Not to mention all Preschool services the opportunities provided from preschool to up- Preschool. A pedagogical service for children per secondary school. from 1-5 years of age with parents who are working or studying. The purpose is to promote the A safe place with low crime rates children's learning, and caring for the individual's Skellefteå is without a doubt one of the country's well-being and development. Read more at safest places to grow up. Year on year, statistics www.skelleftea.se/forskola show that the crime rates in Skellefteå are lower General preschool. Children aged 3-5 have the than the country average. In other words, it is a right to attend general preschool for free for 15 place where children and adults alike can relax and hours per week. The service mainly follows the enjoy their day-to-day routines. academic year and takes breaks during the school holidays. enjoy every season in nature White winters and bright, warm summers. Here in Open preschool. A meeting place for parents Skellefteå we take it for granted, but the fact is and children aged 0-6, with singing, story time and that it is a privilege to have access to virgin nature creative activities. The minimum age is 3 months. and being able to enjoy snowy winters. Not least www.skelleftea.se/oppnaforskolor for the children. Learning to ski and participating in various outdoor activities all year round becomes Independent preschool. As a parent you can a natural part of childhood. Surely you could grow choose between a municipal and an independent up in worse conditions than that? preschool. Information about the preschools can be found at www.skelleftea.se/ playgrounds and bathing spots fristaendeforskola Skellefteå has prioritised making the municipality a Pedagogic care. Pedagogic care is offered place where children can thrive and develop. With in certain catchment areas as an alternative to recently refurbished playgrounds and specially preschools or recreation centres. The service can adapted bathing spots there are numerous op- be offered in both municipal and private family portunities to enjoy a stimulating and memorable daycare centres. childhood.

16. recreation centres municipal upper secondary schools offer 18 differ- Recreation centres are offered to pupils from 6 ent courses in addition to apprenticeship courses years of age that are attending preschool, until the and the introductory course. Skellefteå also has spring term of the year in which the pupil becomes a number of independent schools in the centre of 13 years of age. Skellefteå.

Youth club. Open service for children aged The upper secondary special school utilises 10-12. Offers a varied range of activities within individual curricula which are offered at Anders culture, creativity, sports and exercise, from the torpsskolan, Balderskolan, Kaplanskolan and end of the school day until 5 pm. Naturbruksgymnasiet. www.skelleftea.se/ gymnasium Primary school Preschool class. From the autumn term when input from pupils and parents your child turns six years of age, the child can Many of the municipality's schools have school start preschool class, which is free of charge and boards, which are advisory forums for discussion covers up to 20 hours per week. in which the principal is given the opportunity to hear the views of the parents, pupils and staff. Primary school. The regular primary school covers grades 1-9. The children usually begin in first SKELLEFTEÅ KULTURSKOLA grade at seven years of age, but they may also Skellefteå kulturskola is one of the ten biggest start at six. www.skelleftea.se/grundskola schools for music and performing arts in the country, and is present in every primary school in the Special school. Accepts pupils aged 7-16. municipality from the second grade onwards, until The municipality has four special schools, but it the third grade of upper secondary school. The is also possible for pupils to remain in their local school offers singing and string, wind and guitar schools and follow the special school's curriculum. orchestras/ensembles. Activities such as singing, www.skelleftea.se/sarskola instrument-playing, piano and violin are popular How to choose or change schools. Pupils are groups. Skellefteå Kulturskola was one of the first offered a space in the catchment area they live in. in Sweden to make dancing in the schools compul- The pupil may choose another school, but are then sory. The school also has a theatre school and a not entitled to school transport. woodwork club. www.skelleftea.se/kulturskolan

School transport during primary school. family centres Pupils in preschool or primary school are entitled The family centres are meeting places for children to school transport, free of charge, from their and parents with access to open preschool, chil- home to the school if the distance is great enough. dren's welfare, social services and church activi- Read more at www.skelleftea.se/skolskjuts ties. The family centres' goal is to strengthen the social network around children and parents. They Upper secondary school wish to encourage adults in their roles as parents Skellefteå has four municipal upper secondary and offer the children a pedagogical service. More schools: Anderstorpsskolan, Balderskolan and information about the family centres can be found Kaplanskolan are located in the centre of Skellefteå, at www.skelleftea.se/familjecentraler and Naturbruksgymnasiet is in Burträsk. Skellefteå's Moving home kickstarted Moa's career

– Being an architect in Skellefteå allows me to contribute to gradually improving the town. Both in big and small ways. Also, the employment market seems to be fairly stable here, says Moa Öst.

Already at age ten, an idea formed in Moa Öst's "Much more than drawing buildings" mind. Inspired by a cousin, she decided to be- – It feels as though my knowledge expands here. come an architect, although she barely understood That is important, as being an architect is such an what that meant. Today, just over 20 years later, interdisciplinary profession. In order to create en- she has worked as an architect for five years. Af- vironments and buildings, you need to understand ter studying in Lund and Seville, it was in her home how people behave. It covers everything from town Skellefteå she entered the business, at Nils- drawing buildings for good outdoor environments son & Sahlin where she worked in the summers. and the complexity surrounding that, to furniture – It was quite a good period for the construction and detailed construction, says Moa. sector, and just like several of my fellow students I was offered a job as soon as I had taken my exam. Shaping her career in her home town But unlike many of those who found jobs further Moa says she hasn't thought much about what her south in Sweden, I didn't become unemployed dream project would be. when the trend turned, says Moa. – However a new travel centre or theatre would be very exciting to help create. Something big, Skellefteå is a stimulating environment which will influence the town. There is much beauty The opportunity to work in a relatively stable em- to build on. Such as the town's inheritance of ployment market is just one of the many benefits wooden buildings, and the well-preserved 1950s of working in Skellefteå, says Moa: style town that I think Skellefteå is. – It is also very practical logistically speaking to live and work in a suitably-sized town. My place of FACTS work is just a five-minute walk from home, and the Name: Moa Öst town centre is just two minutes away. And the 10 Works: Consultec Arkitekter km track up at Vitberget is just ten minutes away. Family: Husband and two children aged 1 and 3 Moa believes the town's size offers her greater Lives: In a small house at Norrböle opportunities to work with many different types of Hobbies: Playing, singing, dancing and exercising projects, which challenges her as an architect and Longs for: Family and friends who live in other offers her a very interesting career. parts of the world.

18. "My dream is to draw something that will make a difference in people's day-to-day lives."

Relaxing at Bryggargatan. Moa Öst and her colleagues at Consultec A&K can be found behind what is arguably Norrland's best restaurant. The architecture uses a combination of the local resources wood and granite. For your career With a strong trade and industry and an exciting campus, many people's career dreams have been fulfilled in Skellefteå.

working in the home town of everything from engineers and technicians to entrepreneurs economists and assemblers. Skellefteå has been characterised by a strong Tourism. The large natural areas surrounding entrepreneurial spirit ever since the early 1900s. Skellefteå are a source of income for capable The drive to look after the regional resources entrepreneurs who offer experiences and outdoor and skills in order to generate profitable business activities. opportunities is a recurring theme in Skellefteå's history. At the time, wood and ore processing Mining. The Skellefteå region's mining industry formed the basis for the town's success. These mainly produces copper, zinc and gold, and has a business areas are just as important in the 2000s, great need for qualified employees in a variety of but now they are being developed thanks to mod- areas. The mining industry employs a great deal ern technology. The strong drive from visionary of people and has played an important role in Skel- entrepreneurs creates an employment marked lefteå's economic development. that has need of many different skills. Timber industry. With traditions spanning several hundred years, Skellefteå's timber industry holds important business sectors a strong position in Sweden and the rest of the IT companies. Skellefteå was already ahead of world. This is an opportunity to find work within the development before the IT boom took off in everything from industry leading wood processing Sweden. The IT sector is still very important to companies with global markets, to the develop- Skellefteå, with many successful companies that ment of modern wooden buildings that form the constantly require well-trained employees. basis for creating the sustainable societies of the Creative industries. Skellefteå-based companies future. are being noticed all over the world for their work Manufacturing industries. Over time, the strong in film, advertising, the internet, computer game entrepreneurial spirit in Skellefteå has resulted in development and digital productions. Creative manufacturing industries within every possible field Skellefteå companies have been awarded prestig- establishing themselves in the town. ious international prizes and attract talents both

from the rest of Sweden and the rest of the world. Room for your ideas Power production. Skellefteå Kraft is one of The Skellefteå region is known for encouraging Sweden's biggest power companies, and enjoys a new and innovative ideas that can be developed leading position within the development of environ- into successful business concepts. In other words, mentally friendly energy production such as wind it is a great place for people who have ideas they power, water power and bioenergy. The company believe in and would like to base an interesting is one of the area's largest employers and requires career on.

20. Areas that may expand tute SP Wood Technology. The activities at campus If we try to look into the future, there are a few comprise research and education within the fields areas that might become particularly interesting of wood processing, electrical power, com- for employers in Skellefteå. puter games, new technology, nursing and social services. There are also technical colleges at the Nursing. In this area there will be a need for campus that offer educational courses developed everything from doctors and midwives to various in close collaboration with sectors that are in need specialist nurses. In other words, this is a great of manpower. Read more at opportunity for those who are currently studying www.campus.skelleftea.se these topics.

IT. Skellefteå companies continue to be success- attend a folk high school ful and future recruitment will mainly focus on Those eager to study at a folk high school have software and system developers, test managers three interesting alternatives that in addition and IT architects. to general studies also offer their own special Building and construction. This area mainly courses: needs floorers and HVAC assemblers. Medlefors. Situated in picturesque surroundings Hotels and restaurants. This industry is growing in the centre of Skellefteå, focusing on health and in Skellefteå and is in need of qualified chefs, bak- wellness. Read more at ers and confectioners. www.medlefors.se Pedagogical work. Preschool teachers will be in Edelvik. Situated in Burträsk outside Skellefteå, demand, as will upper secondary school teachers focusing on creative activities such as art and of mathematics, natural science and vocational theatre. Read more at subjects. www.edelvik.se Technology. Already there is a great need for Solvik. Solvik Folk High School is located in Frost- engineers in a number of areas, including building kåge, just north of Skellefteå. Among the courses and construction, electric power, machinery and offered are art, Afro-American music traditions, and geographical information systems (GIS). neuropsychiatric disabilities (NPF). Read more at www.solsvik.fhsk.se Campus opportunities There are two universities at the Skellefteå campus; Luleå Univesity of Technology and Umeå University, as well as the state-run research insti- 22. "Imagine gliding ashore a completely untouched beach in your kayak. It is amazing." A natural lifestyle. Many people dream of a richer life. Sven and Nandini in Ursviken do not. They have chosen to live one.

What would you say to reducing the amount of nature on your own. Beautiful fishing lakes and time you spend watching TV to just a few hours scooter trails. Everything is so accessible and per week? And to instead fill your life with powerful yet so untouched. There are many islands you experiences in forests and on waterways? It prob- can camp on and sometimes you can find a ably sounds as amazing as it sounds impossible. completely untouched beach that can only be But Nandini Sjöström and Sven Burman are living accessed from the sea. In addition, all the hiking proof that it is possible. trails are very well signposted and the municipal- – We are out in nature more or less every day, ity provides wood at picnic areas. There are also often together with our daughter Minna. In the many enthusiast-run associations for climbing, evenings we're out and about with the dog. So we kayaking and other outdoor activities. don't switch on the TV very often, says Nandini. Instagram campaign against ice hockey The activities vary with the seasons Skellefteå is known as Sweden's number one ice The type of outdoor activities they are pursuing hockey town, however not everyone is fanatical changes with the seasons. In late autumn and about the sport. This includes Sven. early winter, before the snow settles on the ice, – During the latest play-off I uploaded photos they opt for long-distance skating. During the win- to Instragram to show what I was doing when the ter they focus on cross-country skiing and scooter match was on. Just as an alternative to the ice trips, both nearby and in the mountains, which are hockey hysteria. My friends are mad about ice just a few hours away by car. The snow-free period hockey and they found it amusing to see me out from April to November is dedicated to kayaking, in nature during an important match. fishing and hiking. Sven explains: – In spring, the paddling season often starts while it is still possible to go skiing, so it is easy to keep busy. FACTS Name: Sven Burman, Nandini Sjöström and Minna Focusing on enjoyment and experiences Lives: Ursviken Sven is convinced that their lifestyle affects them Likes: Outdoor cooking as people: Outdoor activities we are not into: – Yes, it keeps us alert and gives us a richer Mountain biking, but it is on our to-do list. life. Particularly as it is so easy to experience

24.

Leisure Skellefteå boasts a multitude of activities spanning cultural life, sports, entertainment and virtually everything in between.

Culture in the town of storytellers Scooter and hiking trails. With 1,750 km of Nordanå. Skellefteå's cultural meeting place well-maintained snow scooter trails you can go attracts thousands of visitors every year. Histori- pretty much anywhere, and enjoy everything from cal environments and verdant outdoor areas are ski slopes and barbecue areas to fishing lakes and popular both among locals and visitors. the sea. During the summer, the many hiking trails are a natural choice for experiencing untouched Museums. Thanks to Skellefteå museum, Skellefteå nature up close. Konsthall, Meijersamlingen and Museum Anna Nord lander, Nordanå is a popular destination all year Ski lifts. There are many great ski slopes in the mu- round. The permanent and short-term exhibitions are nicipality, including Vitberget, Storklinta, Bygdsiljum, all thought-provoking and memorable experiences. Bureberget, Klutmarksbacken, Röset in Lövånger and Kvarnberget in Burträsk. There is also accom- Music and theatre. Skellefteå's theatres com- modation on offer at most of the skiing facilities. bine local legends such as Torgny Lindgren, P.O. Enqvist and Sara Lidman with other Swedish and Watch sports all year round international masterpieces. The quality of the local Ice hockey in the elite series. At Skellefteå music scene is proven by the receipt of awards Kraft Arena you can enjoy fast-paced and exciting such as "Music School of the Year" and "Pop Music ice hockey when Sweden's top team AIK is playing Town of the Year". a match. Choose between comfortable seats or amazing standing spaces where you can experi- Restaurants and night life ence the magical atmosphere at Västra Stå. Skellefteå's food reputation has been given lots of attention and praise over the past few years. Football in the elite series. The football team Several successful and experienced restaurateurs Sunnanå SK play their matches at Norrvalla IP. Ex- combine international food with regional speciali- perience great matches when the Sunnanå women's ties, and this has enabled Skellefteå's exciting football team challenges big teams from all over the restaurant selection to cater to all tastes and country. preferences. The proximity to the ocean and wil- Trotting. At Skellefteåtravet you can enjoy classic derness means that fish and game can be offered trotting all year round. Midsommartravet is a big on seasonal menus. Read more at public event, and many people bring their own www.destinationskelleftea.se comfortable camping chairs to enjoy the trotting beneath the never-setting sun. Fresh air – life in the middle of nature Fishing. There are 1,500 lakes, five big rivers and Bathing and sports facilities 360 km of coastline. Regardless of what type of Public baths. With eight public baths in the fishing you are interested in, you are likely to be municipality, there is room for everyone, including able to enjoy it here. Our fishing guides include families with young children, people who swim for tips on where, when and how you can fish. exercise and aquarobics. Several of the public www.skelleftea.se/fiske baths also have gyms and relaxation departments.

26. Summer bathing. There are plenty of cooling Active organisations and clubs bathing options to choose from for locals who are Sports for thousands of children. Skellefteå's feeling the summer heat. Havsbadet in Boviken is organisations and clubs keep thousands of children close to town and a popular alternative, as are the and youths active. Football, riding and indoor bandy many lakes that are spread across the municipal- are among the most popular sports, but ice hockey ity. Not to mention Vitbergsbadet in the middle of and taekwondo are also in demand. Read more town, and Kågebadet, both of which offer heated about Skellefteå's organisations and clubs at pools for children and adults. www.skelleftea.se/foreningsregister Book a sports hall. When the municipal sports The golf club. Skellefteå Golfklubb, five kilometres halls are not booked by various teams and as- away from the town centre, is one of the world's sociations, they are available for online booking by northernmost 27-hole courses and in the summer people who are keen to do some exercise. it is open day and night. Skateparken. This recently build activity park has Disc golf. The Bergsbyn course is definitely a world- quickly become a popular area for children and class course, with its 29 challenging holes, a café, youths who enjoy skateboarding, inline skating, accommodation, a putting green and disc rental. kickbikes and bicycling. Go karting. Skellefteå Karting Arena is a top mod- Street basket and beach volleyball. The public ern facility with karts for hire and a separate track park area in Skellefteå has courses that the public for children. are welcome to use if they wish to challenge each Riding schools. Skellefteå Ridklubb is located other to a match. in the centre of Skellefteå and was named Riding School of the Year in 2013. There are also riding Winter sports schools in Ersmark and Gummark, and several Ski tracks at Vitberget. There is a large track active riding clubs, horse associations and driving system at Vitberget, including a 2,5 km long track clubs in the municipality. on artificial snow that is created every ear at Skel- lefteå skiing stadium before the real snow falls. The Reach the world from your airport status of the ski tracks can easily be checked using Skellefteå Airport is one of the ten largest airports the app "My Skellefteå". in Sweden, and it is owned and run by the local resi- Mountains close by. Skellefteå is just one beauti- dents. The airport serves an important function in the ful car journey away from the mountain region development of the Skellefteå region. This is partly and everything it has to offer. Cross-country and due to the regular departures to Stockholm, which downhill skiing. Fishing and hiking. Fresh mountain make it possible to work further south and to travel air and untouched nature. Everything is just a few onwards to other destinations. But it is also due to hours away from Skellefteå. the growing number of charter destinations that offer Skellefteå a direct link to the rest of the world. Experience

Trästockfestivalen Snow scooter competitions Sweden's biggest free-entrance Put on your warmest winter music festival offers up live shoes and head out to some of music every summer, with the scooter competitions that performances, food and much often take place at Vitbergs- more during three lovely days at backen or Klutmark Motorsta- Nordanå. dion. During the past few years, national downhill championships Stadsfesten have taken place here. Attracts up to 100,000 visitors Matfesten each year and is one of Norr An annual public festival that land's biggest summer events. promotes regional and interna- Food from all over the globe, tional food culture. Attending music stars, fun fairs and a won- Matfesten is a tradition for the derful festival atmosphere. locals, who make sure to make a note of it in their diaries. Winter swimming Prestigious winter swimming event. Since 2013, the Scandi- "Non-stop navian Championship in winter computer games swimming takes place in a hole sawn in the ice in the middle of and table games Skellefteå. Summer theatre for three days." Each summer, the well-renowned Västerbottensteatern moves Storytelling festival outdoors to perform plays under for a whole week the open sky. The performances In Skellefteå, storytelling is a are suitable for the entire family, recurring theme in all creative and the plays are enacted in a expressions: on the theatre unique spot at Nordanå. stage, in art exhibitions and mu- Burträsksvängen seums, on the dance floor and Burträsksvängen is a music on the music stage, in the library Nordsken gaming festival festival that takes place in beau- and in writers' dens. Motivated Non-stop computer games and tiful natural surroundings. The by this, Skellefteå has proudly table games for three days. festival is a mixture of concerts proclaimed itself the Town of Tournaments and spontaneous by bands and folk singers, folk Storytelling. We wish to build matches at a festival for modern musician meets, activities for upon the region's rich tradition youth culture. children and much more. of oral and literal storytelling.

28. Church Weekend Nordic Light Beach Soccer at Bonnstan One of Sweden's biggest beach The church weekend is an old football cups, which includes tradition that is still very much national championship qualifying alive in Bonnstan's chamber matches. Attracts thousands music scene. These days the of visitors to Bovikens Havsbad main attraction is no longer the each summer. church, but the folk musician Markets meets and the artists and crafts- Nordanå ice rink Local food producers fill their men who sell their products. Skellefteå has its own ice rink, stands with goodies like vegeta- Skellefteå Konsthall just like Central Park in New bles, breads, mushrooms, fish, People who are interested in art York. In the winter you can go jams and honey. You can find regularly visit Skellefteå Konsthall. skating to beautiful music at them at the harvest markets in The exhibitions display exciting Svandammen near Nordanå. Lövanger, at Matfesten and at art by both national and interna- Möjligheternas Torg during the tional contemporary artists. season. You can also visit the Bur- www.skelleftea.se/ "Ice rink. Just as träsk winter market. It is a genuine skellefteakonsthall in Central Park winter market with crisp cold, snow, and fur-clad stallholders. in New York." The market stalls offer everything from winter shoes and traditional Christmas Market mittens to smoked reindeer fillets. at Nordanå A beautiful Christmas market with a genuine traditional Christ- mas atmosphere can be found at Nordanå in early December. In addition to market stands, there Summer exercise are also activities and experi- Crossing the Bridges is a beauti- ences for the entire family. ful track you can enjoy at your own pace or in a race arranged Joypeak by Skellefteå AIK Friidrottsklubb. The family festival Joypeak covers If you prefer groups, you can a vast number of activities. Face get fit at one of Friskis & Svettis' painting, clowns, bouncing cas- summer gym sessions that are tles, flea markets and a café are held outdoors. just a few of the things you can experience at Ursviken in June.

Read more about what's happening in Skellefteå at www.destinationskelleftea.se Would you like to learn even more about life in Skellefteå?

CONTACT US Feel free to contact Skellefteå municipality's Customer Service, and we will be happy to answer your questions. You can reach the Customer Service on tel. 0910 73 50 00, Mon-Fri from 07:00-19:00.

Would you like to download the app "My Skellefteå"? Scan the QR code, and you can get started right away. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube – search for 'Skellefteå kommun'.

WATCH THE FILM Malin Åberg and Pär Hultgren are one of many couples that chose to move back home to Skellefteå. Scan the QR code and watch the film about them here.

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