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About us and our history.
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Our history
How it started
Björkliden was founded when housing was needed for the engineers working on the construction of the Ore Railway needed to transport the ore from Kiruna's mine out into the world. The port of Narvik was chosen because it is ice-free for much of the year and large ships can dock there. Hence the need for a railway between Narvik and Kiruna. Björkliden was chosen for the homes as it is a sheltered location, midway between Narvik and Kiruna and with a fantastic view!
Gammelgården is one of the engineer's dwellings that was built (1906) and still exists today down in Björkliden's village. Gammelgården was a private residence until 1926 when it was bought by SJ's Vilohemsförening and opened to its members. Relatively soon it was realized that Gammelgården was not enough and a number of railway guard's cottages were taken over as annexes. In 1939, Hotell Fjället was then inaugurated and at the same time the construction of Låktatjåkko Mountain Station began.
A lot happened early on in Björkliden, and as early as 1929 construction began on the golf course, which attracted many American tourists in the 1930s. The speed of Björkliden took a drastic break on April 9, 1940 when the Germans landed in Narvik and World War II was in full swing. During the war, the hotel was used by the Swedish army and along the mountainside of Njulla there are several remnants of Swedish defense.
After the war, things soon picked up again, and in 1947 the first drag lift was built, located almost where Kåppasliften stands today. It was called the 1000-meter lift because of its length and had a capacity of 150 people per hour. Lift number two was built in the early 1960s where Rakkasliften stands today.
In 1967, something terrible happened and half of Hotel Fjället burned down. The cause of the fire is believed to have been a ”flashover in the electrical system”. Reconstruction and renovation began and in 1974 the new Hotel Fjället opened in almost the same premises as today. Between 1971 and 1974, the cottage village was also built. The cabins were specially made in two parts to be able to withstand the passage of trains through the Njulla tunnel. The road between Kiruna and Narvik was not completed until 1982.
Over the next few years, several lifts have been added, chalets changed, the golf course developed and Björkliden is being discovered by more and more people. Among other things, the area has become known around the world for our amazing northern lights and midnight sun! As you wander around here think of all the people over the years who have enjoyed the same views as you!
There is a lot more history to tell about everyone who has passed through here, feel free to ask any of our guides and they can tell you!
Gammelgården is one of the engineer's dwellings that was built (1906) and still exists today down in Björkliden's village. Gammelgården was a private residence until 1926 when it was bought by SJ's Vilohemsförening and opened to its members. Relatively soon it was realized that Gammelgården was not enough and a number of railway guard's cottages were taken over as annexes. In 1939, Hotell Fjället was then inaugurated and at the same time the construction of Låktatjåkko Mountain Station began.
A lot happened early on in Björkliden, and as early as 1929 construction began on the golf course, which attracted many American tourists in the 1930s. The speed of Björkliden took a drastic break on April 9, 1940 when the Germans landed in Narvik and World War II was in full swing. During the war, the hotel was used by the Swedish army and along the mountainside of Njulla there are several remnants of Swedish defense.
After the war, things soon picked up again, and in 1947 the first drag lift was built, located almost where Kåppasliften stands today. It was called the 1000-meter lift because of its length and had a capacity of 150 people per hour. Lift number two was built in the early 1960s where Rakkasliften stands today.
In 1967, something terrible happened and half of Hotel Fjället burned down. The cause of the fire is believed to have been a ”flashover in the electrical system”. Reconstruction and renovation began and in 1974 the new Hotel Fjället opened in almost the same premises as today. Between 1971 and 1974, the cottage village was also built. The cabins were specially made in two parts to be able to withstand the passage of trains through the Njulla tunnel. The road between Kiruna and Narvik was not completed until 1982.
Over the next few years, several lifts have been added, chalets changed, the golf course developed and Björkliden is being discovered by more and more people. Among other things, the area has become known around the world for our amazing northern lights and midnight sun! As you wander around here think of all the people over the years who have enjoyed the same views as you!
There is a lot more history to tell about everyone who has passed through here, feel free to ask any of our guides and they can tell you!