Winter rail destinations: Åre

With more than 300,000 visitors every year Åre, Sweden's most popular ski destination, has enough to tempt even the most ardent Alpine resort fan.

• Winter rail destinations: Narvik (3 Nov 08)
• Winter rail destinations: Sveg/Vemdalen (18 Sep 08)

Where

Åre is comprised of three villages - Duved/Tegefjäll to the west, Åre in the middle and Åre Björnen to the east. The resort is located in the county of Jämtland in northern Sweden.


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The quick pitch

Running 10km along a picturesque frozen lake, complete with stunning mountainscapes and snow capped forests, Åre is a truly beautiful resort. More than just a pretty face, Åre has proved itself a ski resort of international status, having hosted the Alpine World Championships in both 1954 and 2007.

"There’s a large ski area with a fantastic town. Åre town has everything - great shopping, nightclubs, restaurants - all you need for your holiday," says local tourist office spokesman Michael Karlström.

The resort is an excellent playground for experienced skiers with several demanding runs including the famous World Cup route and extensive opportunities to explore off-piste (with a qualified guide).

The two 'Dreamparks' offer freestyle enthusiasts a range of delights including kickers, wallrides, boxes, rails and a 150 metre halfpipe. The centre of Åre is characterized by a quaint square edged with shops, restaurants and bars. The chic daytime vibe gives way to a lively après-ski scene, which has earned Åre the local title of 'little Stockholm'.

However, Åre is not just for expert skiers and party-goers, with Åre Björnen described as "the children’s paradise". The lifts are ensured to be 'child friendly' and the ski area is set safely away from any traffic.

'Barnens Hus', an excellent child-care facility, is located in Åre Björnen village, allowing weary parents the opportunity to drop off the kids before relaxing and enjoying some après-ski.

Duved offers some gentle slopes perfect for beginners, while Tegefjäll has many long cruising pistes to help the intermediate skier progress. For those skiing with children the wilderness park 'Vildmarksstigen' is found at the top of the ski lift 'Tegeliften' in Tegefjäll and has many great activities for kids, even including horse riding.

Åre commits to a snow guarantee stating that a "minimum of 10 pistes shall be open during the period 12 December 2008 to 1 May 2009". A common downside for opting for a ski holiday in Sweden is the shortened daylight hours compared to the traditional Alpine resorts. However Åre has sought to address this, installing numerous night-ski floodlights, most impressively at Gästrappet and Lundsrappet, where the illumination from night floodlights reputedly gives better visibility than daylight.


Accommodation

Neilson Travel - UK Travel agency with a range of apartments and hotels.
j2ski - Independent ski and snowboard website, in English, with various accommodation options.
Åre Torg Hotel - New, centrally located budget hotel.


Fast Facts

Ski Pass (online web price for 6 days):

Adult (16-64) – 1,675kr
Concessions (Child 8-15 or Senior 65+) – 1,285kr
Children under 8 - Free
Resort elevation: 380m
Top elevation: 1,420m
Base elevation: 380m
Lifts: 40
Runs: 110


Take the train to Åre

From Stockholm
Monday to Wednesday - 3 departures (2 day, 1 night)
Thursday - 4 departures (3 day, 1 night)
Friday, Sunday - 5 departures (4 day, 1 night)
Saturday - 2 departures (1 day, 1 night)

From Gothenburg
Monday to Tuesday - 2 departures (1 day, 1 night)
Wednesday - 3 departures (1 day, 2 night)
Thursday - 3 departures (2 days, 1 night)
Friday - 5 departures (3 day, 2 night)
Saturday - 2 departures (2 night)
Sunday - 2 departures (1 day, 1 night)

From Malmö
Monday to Thursday - 3 departures (1 day, 2 night)
Friday - 4 departures (2 days, 2 night)
Saturday - 2 departures (2 night)
Sunday - 2 departures (2 day, 1 night)

From Sundsvall
Monday to Wednesday - 3 departures (3 day)
Friday - 4 departures (4 day)
Saturday to Sunday - 3 departures (3 day)

From Oslo
Sunday to Wednesday - 1 departure (1 night, departure 15.49)
Thursday to Friday - 3 departures (1 day: departure 07.27, 2 night: departure 15.49 and 22.48)
Saturday - 2 departures (2 nights, departure 15.49 and 22.48)

From Copenhagen
Sunday to Wednesday - 2 departures (2 night: departure 16.31 and 20.31)
Thursday - 3 departures (1 day: departure 06.30, 2 night: departure 16.31 and 20.31)
Friday - 4 departures (2 day: departure 06.31 and 10.31, 2 night: departure 16.31 and 20.31)
Saturday - 1 departure (1 night: departure 16.31)


For a more complete timetable, please see:




Useful links

Skistar Åre

Arrival guide

Official town site

Åre at a glance

Taxi Åre Tel: +46 647 10022


See also: Photo gallery


This article was produced by The Local in cooperation with SJ