Flights to Östersund

Fly with SAS to Åre-Östersund Airport, and you’ll be ready and raring to begin your holiday feeling relaxed and well rested.

Åre-Östersund Airport

Make a short walk to the Island Frösön close to the centre of Östersund. While on the island you can visit the Zoo, moose garden or the Jamtli History and Museum and experience the local culture up close. There’s always something to do in Östersund.

OCTOBER 2023

Åre is Scandinavia’s largest ski resort, with a full range of activities from morning through the small hours. This is the guide to Sweden’s alpine capital.

In Åre, skiing and hospitality are embedded in the soul of a locally cultivated skiing culture that stretches back over 100 years. No other community in northern Europe lives and breathes skiing in the same way, and the town has produced more world champions, Olympic medalists, and ski stars than most other ski resorts in the world.

But it is perhaps what’s on offer here that makes Åre so unique, with food, drink, accommodation, and evening entertainment of the highest quality. Even though Åre is a small town, its pulse beats almost around the clock throughout the winter with activities for everyone.

Skiing

Störtloppet to Lundsrappet

Åre has hosted three alpine skiing world championship in its history in 1954, 2007, and 2019. It’s not hard to see why—the slopes here meet very high standards. The finest of all of them is the race track for downhill skiing, where you find yourself on Lundsrappet halfway down. In total, the world-class piste stretches over 2,700 feet into the sky—it is undulating, occasionally steep, and always has a surprise lurking behind the next crest. Do the whole run in one go for a real challenge!

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Åreskutan is Sweden’s best, most varied skiing mountain, with large, open areas in alpine terrain and captivating forest skiing, all with a big vertical drop. The mountain’s, and perhaps the country’s, most famous off-piste track is located on the eastern side of Åreskutan. It offers large, open areas on sometimes steep terrain that calls for speed and adventure. Before you head out, make sure you know where you’re going, you’ve read the avalanche report, and you’re carrying the right equipment. Or hire a guide from Åreguiderna, for example.

Duved and Tegefjäll

Åre’s “other” ski resort offers beautiful carving slopes and a much slower pace than Åreskutan. Duved and Tege are two separate villages connected by a common lift system. Here, the lines for the lift are a little shorter, the slopes are a little less busy, and the pace is a little more relaxed than in Åre, but the skiing is every bit as good. Don’t miss out on a coffee in front of the fire at Mr. Bramwell’s WigWam in Tegefjäll and enjoy Ski Sweden’s best playlist!

Photo: Unsplash

Food and drink

La Gondala

Few ski resorts in the world boast the same consistently high standard of dining on the slopes as Åre, at least not north of the Italian Alps. La Gondola serves the mountain’s best food with a distinctly Italian touch, along with a superb wine list—all in a warm, cozy environment. An Aperol spritz before dinner on the outdoor terrace is a must on sunny spring days.

More mountain highlights

Other popular spots on the mountain include the newly opened schnitzel restaurant Bibbos at the site of the old Platåkåtan eatery in the Sadel area. Alternatively, the traditional mountain restaurant Buustamon in the Rödkulle area has a lovely timber structure and distillery in the basement. The classic Hummelstugan offers the best view in the country on good days, with food and ambiance to match.

Supper

If the mountain is full of fantastic restaurants, what’s on offer in the village is perhaps even better and even more varied. A modern classic is Supper, located in the historic Villa Tottebo, which serves exciting fusion-style dishes. It also serves the best drinks in town and enjoys a lively, upbeat ambiance throughout the evening.

Broken

Sometimes it’s the company and surroundings that matter most, and nowhere in Åre understands this more than the classic diner Broken. Located on the square, it serves burgers, nachos, and other dishes with an American twist. The beer is served ice cold in frosted glasses—the perfect reward after a long day of skiing. There’s a relaxed atmosphere from early afternoon to late evening—so relaxed in fact that it’s not uncommon to see people walking home in their ski boots at midnight.

Werséns

Few places embody Åre like Werséns bistro in Åre’s town square. It offers a varied menu filled with classics. The pizza is some of the best in town and the Toast Skagen is always a winner, as are the home-cooked meals on the menu and the seafood platter if you are in the mood to celebrate. The atmosphere is always great and the bar is an obvious choice for a drink in the evening.

Parkvillan

Just below Åre’s town square, in Åre Park, is an inconspicuous little red house appropriately named Parkvillan (“Park Villa”). Here, Calle Nygren and his team serve the best burgers in town with beer to match, made in the basement of the same house in the Åre Ölfabrik microbrewery. And if you’re not in the mood for burgers, there are plenty of other culinary treats on the creative and ever-changing menu.

Åre’s best coffee shop and bakery is located at Brunkulla, just west of Åre’s town square. If you want fresh bread for breakfast, this is the place to go. Their semlor are nothing short of amazing, and on sunny spring afternoons, the homemade gelato is the perfect post-skiing treat.

Entertainment

There are those who say that a day of skiing without après-ski simply isn’t skiing. Whether that’s true or not is up to you. Åre’s largest nightclub, Bygget, has two floors with seven bars and four different lively dance floors for those who don’t feel the need to be first at the lift in the morning. The building also hosts regular gigs with famous artists during high season. Mister French is also located on the square and hosts the Club Chambre nightclub until the small hours.

Fjällgården

Hotel Fjällgården lays claim to Åre’s best après-ski, located right in the middle of the slopes where you can click off your skis and walk in with your boots on. The live bands offer boot dancing and cheesy rock songs every afternoon. It’s fun and sweaty, just like a proper après-ski should be. Take it easy on the way down to the village afterwards!

Åre Sessions

The ski season in Åre traditionally ends with the Åre Sessions music festival at the very end of April. The arena at the Holiday Club is the focal point of the festivities, which are also held in several other locations in the village and up the mountain. Some of the country’s biggest artists are usually on hand to celebrate the end of winter. And perhaps best of all, the lift ticket is valid as a festival pass.

Shopping

Åre Skidsport

The Larsson family has run what is by far the best ski shop in Åre for over 70 years, as evidenced by the knowledgeable staff and their passion for skiing. If you’re looking for a new pair of ski boots or need to fix up your old ones, this is the place to go. The ski boots expertise is world-class, just like the selection of gear on offer.7

Brand stores

The ski clothing brands Stellar Equipment, Peak Performance, Haglöfs, Houdini, Norrøna, and The Mountain Studio all have their own shops in Åre with a wide range of products and expert staff.

Accommodation

Hotel Granen

The somewhat historic Granen is a homely hotel up the funicular, just above the square. A hotel to call home with cozy rooms, a fantastic breakfast and a bar and restaurant that are high-class even by Åre’s standards (and that’s saying something). The wine cellar is managed by artist, co-owner, and wine connoisseur Petter Askergren. Anyone who knows Petter knows that he doesn’t do anything in half measures, especially not the wine cellar at Granen.

Copperhill

The luxurious Copperhill sits on top of Förberget (the mountain above Björnen’s ski area) with a magical view of Åredalen and the back of Skutan. Here, you can enjoy a calm atmosphere in the airy foyer with its giant copper wall while you relax with a nice drink after a day of skiing. The hotel spa is one of the best in the mountains. Once you step inside the doors, you may find it hard to leave.

Addresses

La Gondola
VM-platån, Åre

Supper
Parkvägen 1, Åre

Broken
Torggränd 4, Åre

Werséns
Årevägen 95, Åre

Parkvillan
Parkvägen 6, Åre

Grädda
Årevägen 150, Åre

Fjällgården
Fjällgårdsvägen 35, Åre

Åre Skidsport
Årevägen 88, Åre

Hotel Granen
Tottvägen 127, Åre

Copperhill
Björnen Copperhill 62, Åre

NOVEMBER 2023

Sweden’s third-largest ski resort actually consists of three separate resorts that offer a genuine mountain experience and wonderful skiing.

Vemdalen is a small, picturesque town of 929 inhabitants, located in the municipality of Härjedalen, 80 miles southeast of Östersund Airport. The skiing itself is spread over three different resorts in the area—Vemdalsskalet, Björnrike, and Klövsjö/Storhogna—each with their own special character.

Together they form Sweden’s third-largest ski resort after Åre and Sälen. Vemdalen boasts a total of 42 lifts and 58 slopes, so there’s plenty to explore. Best of all, the lift pass is valid in all resorts, so you can try out several during your ski trip.

Vemdalsskalet

Vemdalsskalet, or Skalet for short, is the main resort in Vemdalen and it offers the largest range of skiing options, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. All starting from the square in Skalet, surrounded by cozy wooden houses. The skiing takes place on two different mountains, Hovde and Skalsfjället.

Photo: Unsplash

Hovde is located directly above the square in Skalet and has slopes perfect for both the smallest skiers and speed freaks who love the breakneck pace of black runs. Three efficient chairlifts take you quickly back to the top for another run.

Skalsfjället, or just Skals, offers a couple of really steep slopes for those who like a real challenge, but there are also slightly wider blue runs along with a snow park suitable for anyone who enjoys jumps and more playful skiing.

Väst

A fantastic slope runs from the top of Hovde down to the bottom of the Väst Express chairlift. The slope starts out as a red run before it flattens out slightly and changes to blue just as it opens up. Here, you can really practice your carving turns and feel the g-force on every turn.

Pers

A long, undulating blue run on Skalsfjället invites you to swing dance on two skis. There’s plenty of space here and a lot of peaks that won’t upset your stomach when you speed over them.

Hovde Hotel

A genuine skier’s hotel inspired by the classic buildings of the Swiss Alps, both inside and out. Located on the square in Skalet, it’s perfect for hitting the slopes quickly in the morning.

Bryggeriet

A lovely brewery pub is located on the ground floor of Vemdalsskalet’s mountain hotel. Sink into one of the comfortable Chesterfield sofas and relax with one of the many locally brewed beers or drinks after a hard day’s skiing.

Trattoria da Doris

This Italian restaurant serves dishes made from Italian ingredients, prepared by Italian chefs. The fresh pasta hits the spot after a long day on the slopes. Take the opportunity to buy delicacies imported directly from Italy.

Après-ski and nightclub

The top floor of the Vemdalsskalet hotel is home to a lively après-ski venue, many concerts with big-name artists, and of course a vibrant nightclub. Here, you can also recharge your batteries at the food court before hitting the slopes the next day.

Björnrike

Björnrike is the perfect family setting for those who want to stay close to the skiing action and enjoy a slightly slower pace on their vacation. Best of all, you’ll find some of the longest slopes in the Swedish mountains here—they’re great for taking big, carving turns—spread out over three different mountains, which means there is always something new to discover.

Kodiak

At the rapid Grizzly Express six-chair lift, you will find the Kodiak red run, which many connoisseurs hail as one of the very best in Sweden. Here, you can ride the fall line for 1.25 miles over a perfect slope—if you have the thighs for it, of course!

Bageriet

Björnrike’s best oven-baked pizza can be found at Bageriet. They also offer freshly brewed coffee and hearty sandwiches. When the skiing day is over, the après-ski with live music begins, followed by evening entertainment featuring bands or DJs on Fridays.

Klövsjö/Storhogna

Right next to the small village of Klövsjö, voted the most beautiful in Sweden, are the two interconnected resorts of Klövsjö and Storhogna, both with their own unique character. Klövsjö boasts slopes that challenge even Sweden’s best skiers, while little Storhogna offers up a slightly slower pace. Together, the two form the largest ski area in Vemdalen, which means more room for ski maneuvers.

Svartåshanget

The black run, aptly named Svartåshanget (“Black Sea Slope”), is the steepest slope in Vemdalen with a maximum gradient of 38 degrees. It is certainly one of the most challenging slopes in Sweden. Make sure you warm up properly before taking it on, both you and your thighs will need it.

Klövsjö stenugnsbageri

This cozy café and shop down in Klövsjö village serves freshly baked bread and cakes from its own stone-oven bakery along with handmade chocolates from its in-house chocolate workshop. It’s well worth a stop along the way for a coffee or lunch!

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