Åre

Sweden’s largest ski resort of Åre, now three-time host of the Alpine Ski World Championships, combines Scandinavian charm and sophistication with some serious skiing.

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2%Easy

47%Beginner

42%Intermediate

9%Advanced

Vertical drop

Pistes

Runs

Lifts

Terrain by difficulty

With such a strong racing heritage (the resort has also hosted over 100 World Cup events) it would be easy to assume this resort has little else to bring.

But this is not the case. Varied terrain suitable for all standards sits on the north side of the picturesque frozen lake, itself home to some fantastic ice- based activities that make Åre a resort that is also ideal for non-skiers. The only sticking point is the winter darkness and sometimes challenging weather, but plentiful night skiing and a good lift system more than help to mitigate this.

There are five different bases to choose from, each bringing their own vibe – but the closer you are to the central station, the livelier things will be.

Beginner
Fast lifts
Intermediate
Resort Activities
Advanced
Aprés
Snow
Value

Pros and cons

✓

THE GOOD

Pros

Great beginner and intermediate terrain
Incredible setting above the frozen lake
Vast array of options when it comes to off-slope activities

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THE CONSIDERATIONS

Cons

Limited ski area for experts
Weather can prove challenging at times
Still quite a lot of draglifts and t-bars

On the Slopes

The main ski area of Åre By covers 91km of slopes and is located right above the village, extending from Rödkullen in west to the linked but self-contained Björnen area in the east. These ends are the best zones for beginners and intermediates, with gentle greens and blues providing great terrain to improve your technique on. The central portion of the mountain – served by the VM8:an Express Chondola, the historic funicular, cable car and the VM6:an Express – is steeper and includes the World Championships runs. These are a challenge for all but the most advanced skiers and riders, but beyond this there is unfortunately limited off piste to explore.

The self-contained Duved ski area lies a few kilometres to the west of the main town. Here, a further 20km of pistes make for a great daytrip option. They are on the same lift pass and you can even quickly hop on the train to access them.

In the Resort

When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of options, most of which are geared towards families. Cosy B&Bs and cabins can be found throughout, but there are also some smart hotels in the centre of town. Prices are lower than across the border in Norway, making this a more affordable destination than you might first think.
Åre has a huge amount to offer non skiers – here off snow activities are just as plentiful as those on the slopes. Cross country skiing is big business in Åre, with a vast network of groomed trails (some of which are also floodlit) winding through the woods and across the lake. Other activities include ice skating, ice sculpting, reindeer safaris, and a vast array of culinary options, ranging from trendy street food vendors. You may even be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights.

Getting to Åre

Östersund airport is only an hour from Åre – flights are available direct from the UK each winter. Otherwise fly via Trondheim, Stockholm, Oslo or Copenhagen.