Åre
Scandinavia's largest ski resort, with a cable car straight up Åreskutan; in summer it turns into a mountain town for mountain biking and waterfall hikes.
Åre lies in Jämtland in west-central Sweden, near the Norwegian border, and is Scandinavia's largest ski resort. The village stretches along the north shore of Lake Åresjön, backed by the 1,420 m Åreskutan, with pistes and lifts flowing seamlessly into the village centre; it has hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships several times. The core areas are Åre village (the square, cable car, funicular and après-ski bars), the Duved and Tegefjäll ski areas to the west, family-friendly Björnen to the east, and the surrounding Tännforsen and Ristafallet waterfalls and the high-mountain hiking areas of Storulvån and Vålådalen. Seasons: December–April is ski season, with lengthening days and the most reliable snow in February–March; from June to September it becomes a mountain-biking and hiking hotspot, with one of the best downhill bike parks in the Nordics, and autumn colours in the mountains are lovely in early September. Winter days are very short and temperatures can drop to -20°C, so dress warmly. Getting there: trains from Stockholm take about 6–8 hours (with a direct night train to Åre station), or fly to Åre Östersund Airport and transfer about 1.5 hours. Allow 4–7 days in ski season and 3–4 days in summer.
Top sights
- Åreskutan & Åre Ski Resort – The largest ski resort in Scandinavia. From the 1,420-meter summit of Åreskutan, you look over the lake valley and surrounding peaks, with…
- Kabinbanan Åre – A large gondola that climbs about 1,270 meters straight up from Åre Square. In seven minutes you can fly from the village to the top of the…
- Tännforsen – One of Sweden's largest waterfalls by drop, about 60 meters wide and 38 meters high. During spring snowmelt, it roars spectacularly.
- Åre Bike Park – The largest downhill mountain bike park in Northern Europe. Gondola lifts carry riders uphill, and dozens of downhill trails of varying dif…
- Åre Torg – The gondola plaza at the heart of the village, lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, and sporting goods shops. Après-ski parties are lively…
- Åre Bergbana – A wooden-cabin funicular opened in 1910. It is one of the few mountain railways of this kind left in Sweden and still carries skiers today.
- Duved – A quiet village at the western end of the Åre ski area. Its wide, gentle slopes suit families, and it shares a main ski area pass.
- Åre Björnen – The family- and children-oriented ski area on the eastern side of the Åre ski resort, with a children's snow playground and gentle beginner…
- Åre Chokladfabrik – A handmade chocolate workshop in a mountain cabin, famous for its truffles and caramels. It is a classic Åre souvenir.
- Åre Old Church – A medieval stone church dating from the 13th century, one of the oldest buildings in Jämtland County, standing quietly on the shore of Åre…
- Storulvån Mountain Station – A classic mountain station run by the Swedish Tourist Association, the starting point of the Jämtland Triangle trail, from which hikers can…
- Vålådalen Nature Reserve – A nature reserve in a high mountain valley south of Åre, with forest streams, mountain lakes, and reindeer grazing grounds. Hiking trails s…
- Ristafallet – A wide stepped waterfall on the Indalsälven river, the filming location of the 1984 film "Ronja, the Robber's Daughter." It has short trail…
- Handölsforsen – A rapids waterfall beside the Sami community of Handöl, where a small bridge and mountain views frame the gorge. It is a stop on the way to…
- Fröå Mine – The ruins of a 17th-century copper mine on the southern slopes of the Åre mountain. Old miners' village and mine shafts are hidden among th…
- Edsåsdalen – A small valley ski village south of Åre with fewer crowds and good snow. In summer, it is the starting point for hikes to peaks such as Mid…
Where to eat
- Fjällpuben – A long-established mountain restaurant in central Åre village with a rustic kitchen atmosphere, serving classic dishes…
- Vinbaren Åre – A wine restaurant in the century-old Åregården hotel, listed in the White Guide and known for its sharing plates and so…
- Buustamons Fjällgård – A log mountain restaurant beside the ski trails, with a small distillery and outdoor hot tubs, recommended by the White…
- Wersens – A year-round bistro beside Åre Square serving Swedish home cooking, French classics and pizza; walk-in only.
Itineraries
- Tromsø to Stockholm via the Inlandsbanan – Head south from the Norwegian Arctic in summer via the Ofoten Line, the King's Trail, and the Inlandsbanan
- High Coast, Åre & Dalarna Northern Loop – Drive along the Baltic Sea to the High Coast, head west into the Åre mountains, and return to the capital via Dalarna