Western Farm becomes Björndal Arctic Lodge – targeting international visitors

Coveralls instead of worn jeans and a shirt, a fur hat instead of a cowboy hat – and winter boots instead of boots. Major investments and a completely new profile await as Western Farm becomes Björndal Arctic Lodge, with a focus on international visitors.

New hotel rooms, a new restaurant, a spa and new activities. Yes, it’s no small change that Joel Stenvall and Jonas Lundström, owners of the classic Western Farm in Boden, are now facing. By the end of November 2027, the new venture is set to be up and running.

Western Farm is leaving the Wild West theme behind entirely and becoming an international visitor destination with year-round operations and a wide range of activities. Around SEK 40 million will be invested in what the owners hope will become a driving force for tourism in Boden, both summer and winter.

“We want to become an activity hub and the central booking point for activities, but of course also a place where you can come and stay at the resort,” says Joel Stenvall.

As early as 2005, there was an idea to pivot toward international visitors. Extensive work was carried out to see whether Western Farm could attract guests from outside Sweden, but the conclusion was that the western theme wasn’t appealing enough. The focus shifted to the local market and continuing to develop the western concept.

Now, just over 20 years later, the farm is picking up the international idea again—partly because the western theme has lost its appeal, and partly because the Arctic region is attracting more and more visitors.

“We’re noticing that demand for western-related experiences is decreasing,” says Jonas Lundström, noting that in 2005 they were simply ahead of their time with their international ambitions.

Back then, the market wasn’t quite ready—but it is now.

A visit from a French family who came to the farm’s Christmas buffet in 2024 got Jonas Lundström thinking. The family felt that life, culture and experiences in Arctic Sweden were fantastic.

“That’s when Joel and I started talking about this, and the market looks completely different today. Over the years, an incredible amount of work has been done—just look at the fantastic facilities that exist, especially in Boden but also in the other river valleys,” says Jonas Lundström.

Once everything is built out, the facility will have almost doubled its capacity, with around 200 beds. The expansion will happen in stages, and the duo is clear that this is not about mass tourism.

“We want something different. If there are 200 people here, we believe we can take good care of them,” says Jonas Lundström.

Collaborating with activity providers and other facilities is central to the initiative.

Roger Laestadius at Rånisgården, a neighbor of Western Farm, already collaborates with the farm on the horse-related experiences and activities he offers.

The new initiative could mean that he expands his business.

“I’m very positive about this. Having such a major player as your closest neighbor is extremely positive,” says Roger Laestadius, who actually helped launch the farm’s western concept in the late 1990s.

Western Farm has previously had many seasonal workers in the summer, but the concept change means more year-round jobs. The focus is on the international market, but the facility will also continue to offer activities and conferences for the local market.

The name Björndal Arctic Lodge was not chosen by chance.

“Björndal is connected to this area. Björn Svarthe was the one who founded Svartbjörnsbyn, and very large bears have also been taken in this area,” says Jonas Lundström.

On June 13, 2026, it will be the last party night under the name Western Farm. In November 2027, the new venture—and the sign—will be up and running as Björndal Arctic Lodge.