Åre

A snowHead

Just if anyone saw it, there was a ridiculous article in The Telegraph suggesting skiing in Sweden, Åre specifically, as an alternative to skiing in the US if your bored of the Alps. It's a bit of a silly premise to be honest. BUT, Åre is a great place to ski, especially for families and older (post 50) skiers. Åre is no more expensive than the Alps, has alot of very well priced and fatastically equipped accommodation (think drying cupboards and private saunas as standard), all priced per week, with no silly under occupancy charges. Slight pain to get to because you need to change at Stockholm Arlanda, but if you consider as we do, that the travelling is just part of the holiday and time to enjoy together, it isn't an issue, and the transfer from Östersund is short. Flight dates don't easily match accommodation change days, but, as the ski pass is pay for 6 days, get 8 days, we always work around that and bookend our holiday with a couple of nights at The Granen or Åre Torg. We end up (we are a couple) with 8 days skiing on a 9 day holiday for the same as a catered chalet week in Val d'isere ( with Skiworld or equal, not any posh knob stuff). Happy to answer questions about Åre if I can, been there many times and it's ace.
There are a couple of other SH regulars knowledgeable on Åre too.
Going to Åre and expecting it might compare to any US skiing is ridiculous. Going to Åre just to go somewhere different is not.

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I read that article in The Telegraph too. Åre is regarded as the best ski resort in Sweden and it's the only one I've been to in Sweden. I agree that it is an amazing ski resort with a cosmopolitan feel to it and accommodation of a high standard. But it was very cold when I was there, about -20 degrees! And it got dark early in the afternoons. There used to be a direct flight to Östersund from Gatwick I believe, but it doesn't exist anymore, which makes it a bit difficult to get there now from the UK.

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@Motherofthree, if you go in january it is cold, but it isn't so northern that it actually gets dark daft early. Of the times we have been, the coldest day was -25°C, but such days are rare, even there. -10°C can be common in jan and feb. Though surely skiers are equipped for cold weather? I may be missing something, but even if I go to the Alps in late march, I pack enough layers to cope with -10, or even less. Just seems a bit odd complaining a ski venue is cold. Sorry.

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@thecramps, thanks for highlighting this! We'll be in Are for a month in January (bucket list cabin with private sauna stuff, not bothered at all of it's cold and dark!) Any food, ski hire and activity recommendations would be very welcome - we're staying Bjornen side but hope to get around.

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Saw this

Absolute nonsense

But always difficult to get unbiased reporting from the broad sheets when most of the articles are sponsored

There are hundreds of alternatives to the expensive European and US resorts in Europe that would blow Are away

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@ElzP, Broken is good for a pint and a "chips with" meal, they do some awesome burgers. We like Wérsens, both the upstairs bistro and the restaurant downstairs. The upmarket Tapas restaurant Boqueria is nice for a treat. The Åre Bageri is also excellent, but not cheap and needs booking well in advance we have found. Unless you know it's a quiet week, I'd book your taxis on Friday-Sunday night if you plan to use any well in advance, it can be very difficult to get them to answer the phone if you need one around the time a train is due. We usually use Topptaxi, 0046 647 220 20, but there is Björn Olsson's too.
Skistar are really the goto company for your skihire, they have a few stores all over the resort, and they supply the lift passes too.
Other than skiing, we haven't done too much, but we did do a day dog sledding that was great fun, and an afternoon on snow mobiles. Both very cold, but absolutely worth it. We found both of those online. The dog sledding was based just outside Åre a short taxi ride away, and the snow mobile centre was down by Holiday club building by the lake. They lead out a few together and you go out following their guide across the lake. Make sure you have your current driving licences with you for anyone driving them. No licence, no hire.
If you want alcohol like wine, spirits etc, you need to go to Systembolaget, the state sponsored off licence. From memory though, it's opening hours aren't particularly ideal and it's shut sundays. You can buy alcohol in the supermarkets, but nothing stronger than 3.5%. The systembolaget is down by the Co-op store, close to Åre Bageri.

After all it is free · Last edited by After all it is free on Wed 2-11-22 11:11; edited 1 time in total

And keep your eyes peeled for reindeer. They are always nice to see. And if there is a clear night, it's worth a check now and then for northern lights, but use one of the prediction websites or apps rather than just hanging about outside on the off chance.

@Motherofthree, sorry, reading back, my reply to you looks a bit smartassed. Didn’t mean it to be.

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@thecramps, fantastic, thanks so much. Great tips, it's my husbands birthday while we're there so perhaps he can have a dog sled ride in celebration! snowHead

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@thecramps, No problem. I actually grew up in Sweden and lived there for over 20 years, but only skied there once and that was in Åre in January. Having skied in France and Switzerland more recently, I can't help but notice the difference when it comes to daylight and temperature. Sorry!

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Åre

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