Åre in Jämtland is the alpine capital of Scandinavia, a Swedish mountain gem with an international atmosphere. The train stops in the middle of the village and there are two international airports within an hour’s drive – one in Östersund and another in Trondheim/Vaernes. Åreskutan is Sweden’s largest meeting place for year-round activities with a focus on skiing, biking and hiking. Magnificent views, a vibrant nightlife, shopping, world-class gastronomy and a mix of guests, residents and seasonaires make Åre a unique place.
Åre has been chosen as Sweden’s Best Ski Resort for six times in a row (2013 – 2018) during the World Ski Awards in Kitzbühel. Not only has Åre won the prize for Sweden’s best ski resort but several hotels in Åre have won their respective classes, too:
- Sweden’s Best Ski Hotel: Copperhill Mountain Lodge, Åre
- Sweden’s Best Ski Chalet: The Villa, Copperhill Private Lodge, Åre. This is Petter A. Stordalen’s private ski lodge for 16 people – Stordalen is the owner of the Copperhill Mountain Lodge hotel.
- Sweden’s Best Ski Boutique Hotel: Hotel Granen, Åre
More than 100 alpine World Cup races
During the years, Åre has hosted more than 100 alpine World Cup races, several World Cup finals, and three Alpine World Championships (1954, 2007 and 2019).
“The epitome of Europe’s ‘other’ skiing experience”
Killer backcountry zones, après extravaganza and bucket-list lunch spots with crackling wood stoves, gas-fueled lamps, candles and reindeer pelts – Åre is a destination that should be near the top of any well-travelled skier’s list. At least, that’s what Freeskier Magazine thinks of the Swedish ski resort.
The journalist Donny O’Neill from Freeskier Magazine describes Åre as: “The epitome of Europe’s ‘other’ skiing experience. Think comfortable, challenging, mom-and-pop, backwoods skiing with only a bit of Euro-luxury sprinkled on top. It should be near the top of any well-traveled skier’s list. (…) In Åre, you’re either all in or you’re not at all.” You can read the article here.
Freeride Weeks Åre: Jumps, turns, corners, boxes, rails … and a pool!
In April/May, the Freeride Weeks Åre have long been a popular final weekend for park skiing enthusiasts. Park skiers can enjoy 3,8 km park skiing from the top of the mountain down to the valley during the Freeride Weeks Åre.
“The park is built on the basis of nature’s own forms and will include all levels of difficulty. The experience will offer many jumps, banked turns, corners and a lot of fun and cool features. We will of course have boxes and rails, and there will also be other fun and unusual features such as a pool,” says Björn Broström, Sales and Marketing Manager at SkiStar Åre.
Easy to reach
Åre is easy to reach via the Åre Östersund airport. There are direct flights from London and direct flights from Copenhagen – and now even from Berlin, starting winter 2019/2020. Of course, flights from Stockholm are available as well.
Hotels in Åre
Book now: Hotels, hostels, B&Bs in Åre
Freeride Weeks
Early winter bathing in Åre at the Holiday Club hotel – before the lake is frozen
View from Copperhill Mountain Lodge – a great place to visit in both winter and summer
The spectacular lobby of the Copperhill Mountain Lodge
Related article
Here are Sweden’s best alpine ski resorts
Sources: Åre Destination, SkiStar AB, World Travel Events Ltd., Jämtland Härjedalen Turism; featured image: Anette Andersson; photo #2: Mark Going, Columbia Sportswear; photo #3: SkiStar; photo #4: Holidy Club; photo #5: Gösta Fries, CML; photo #6: Nic Lehoux, CML
