Åre: the alpine heart of Scandinavia

With 90 pistes and 40 lifts, Åre is the largest ski resort in Northern Europe. Here you’ll find everything you need for a perfect winter outdoor holiday – whether you’re alpine skiing, cross-country skiing or snowboarding. But the town near the Norwegian border is also worth a visit in summer, when forests and lakes invite you to go hiking and mountain biking. Here you can find out exactly what you can experience in Åre, when and how best to travel and which kinds of accommodation are available.

What does Åre offer?

Are you dreaming of a winter holiday in a snow paradise with fantastic panoramic views and excellent ski slopes? Then Åre in western Sweden is just the place for you. The small town is known for its great location with many kilometres of slopes and cross-country ski trails, so every outdoor and winter fan will get their money’s worth. The first tourists came to Åre at the end of the 19th century and the first ski lift in the whole of Sweden was opened here in January 1940. The town is still very popular with travellers today, whether they want to go skiing themselves, experience the World Cup or Alpine Ski World Championships or go on a variety of outdoor tours in summer. Whether beginner or professional – Åre offers the right route and activity for everyone.

Where is Åre?

Åre is located in the western part of Sweden, in the historic province of Jämtland, on the Åreskutan fell. The next largest city is Östersund, which is about 95 kilometres away. It is around 280 kilometres to Sundsvall and a good 650 kilometres to the Swedish capital Stockholm. Norway is closer – the Norwegian town of Teveldalen on the Swedish-Norwegian border is around 70 kilometres away and Trondheim is around 170 kilometres away.

Åre: weather

The best time to visit during the winter months is from December to February, when temperatures average between -4° and -6° Celsius and snow is guaranteed – perfect conditions for winter sports. The ski season in Åre runs from mid-November to the beginning of May. During the winter months, with their long, dark nights, you also have the chance to see the Northern Lights dancing across the sky.

If you prefer an outdoor holiday in summer, you should visit between June and September. The warmest month is July with an average of 17° Celsius, but temperatures are also above 10° Celsius in the other summer months – and thanks to its relatively northern location, Åre has many hours of sunshine, which is perfect for exploring and discovering the region.

Activities in Åre

Åre ski resort

Skiing and Åre – they are inextricably linked. The ski resort with its fantastic panorama is not only the largest, but also the oldest ski resort in Sweden. The ski area is divided into several parts: Central Åre, Åre Björnen, Tegefjäll and Duved. Central Åre is the largest and highest sub-area and therefore also offers the steepest pistes. Here, below the Åreskutan, you will find the most difficult pistes in the entire area, and World Cup races are also held here. Björnen is particularly family and child-friendly, while Tegefjäll & Duved offer a wide range of difficulties and are often somewhat emptier than the other two areas. Beginners can take their first steps in one of the three ski schools.

Together, all areas have 89 ski pistes of all difficulties and 42 ski lifts. Thanks to large floodlight facilities, night skiing is also possible. There are also a large number of cross-country skiing trails – the trails in Björnen are particularly popular, running through protected woodland and varying in length and difficulty. More challenging are the trails in Duved and Ullådalen, which are steeper and faster. There is a snow and fun park for snowboarders. In winter, there are also tours with dog sledges or snowmobiles, and you can also go ice climbing or snow hiking.

Après-ski in Åre

There is also plenty going on off the piste in Åre, because once the pistes are empty, the après-ski starts. During the main season, there is daily après-ski with live music in several locations. At Hotell Fjällgården in the ski area, for example, the après-ski programme starts in the early afternoon. Hotspots in the valley area are the Åre Hyddan and the Timmerstugan. There are also several clubs and bars in Åre, so you can celebrate your skiing holiday in style.

Åre in the snow-free months

If you come to Åre in the summer months, the fascinating nature of the region is open to your exploring. The forests, lakes and alpine mountain landscapes invite you to enjoy exciting and varied tours. Åre has several hiking trails to offer, but those who prefer to be out on the water can hire a canoe or kayak. White-water rafting is also on offer, while those who prefer a more relaxed approach can lie in wait at one of the fishing spots, for example on Lake Åresjön. Åre also offers the largest bike park in Scandinavia, the Åre Bike Park, where mountain bikers can spend their time on 50 kilometres of trails of varying difficulty with an altitude difference of 850 metres.

Accommodation in Åre

Hotels in Åre

As one of the country’s most popular ski resorts, Åre naturally has a whole range of hotels to offer, so you don’t have to sacrifice luxury and comfort on your holiday. But there are also simpler hotels, so there is a hotel to suit everyone – whether it’s a star hotel or a simple B&B. Many of the hotels are located right next to the ski lifts – and they are also the perfect place to relax after a strenuous day in the fresh air. One highlight in Åre, for example, is Hotell Granen, which has its own sauna and cosy library with a fireplace – ski lessons are also organised, as the hotel is surrounded by ski lifts.

Holiday homes in Åre

For a holiday in Trysil with the family or a larger group, a holiday home is a particularly good choice of accommodation. A holiday home offers independence and, above all, space (especially if you bring your own ski equipment, this is a great advantage), as well as cooking facilities. So you can end an exciting day on the piste with a relaxed evening of cooking or games. In Åre there are several options, most of which are in the immediate vicinity of the ski slopes.

Campsites in Åre

If you prefer a simpler holiday in close contact with nature, you can head for one of the region’s campsites. Camping in Sweden is very popular because it is simple and uncomplicated, and often inexpensive. Many of the campsites are located close to the water and are also perfect starting points for tours of all kinds – the campsites often offer tours or information, as well as various other services. If you want to be even more adventurous, you can try out the permitted wild camping in Sweden – simply spend the night in a tent in the middle of the wilderness.

Travelling to Åre

Travelling by plane

The winter paradise can be reached quickly and easily by plane. The nearest airports are Östersund-Åre, which is around 85 kilometres from Östersund, and Trondheim Airport. Although there are no direct flights to either airport from the UK, there are regular scheduled flights to and from Stockholm. From the airports you can then travel on to Åre by train, bus shuttle or rental car.