Åre in Sweden: Ski Hotels, Slopes and Mountain Nature

The alpine ski area in Åre comprises around 200 runs across a total of seven ski areas. Åre has just under 90 ski slopes and roughly half as many lifts of various types. These include the more than 100-year-old mountain railway, which starts in the middle of Åre torg. The ski school in Åre offers lessons for different levels, both privately and in groups.

Getting there

You can reach Åre Municipality by train, plane or car; transfer services to various destinations are available locally. Train journeys to Åre Municipality can be booked with the rail operators SJ, Snälltåget or Norrtåg. Regular bus services in Åre Municipality are operated by Länstrafiken Jämtland. During the winter season, SkiStar ski buses connect the various ski areas in Åre.

Nature

The hike to the summit of Åreskutan reaches 1,420 metres above sea level. Åre has a well-developed network of hiking trails, with short tours for children, easy trails for inexperienced hikers and longer, more challenging routes. Åreskutan and the surrounding area serve as grazing land for the reindeer of Kall sameby.

The S:t Olavsleden passes through Åre Municipality and is considered the northernmost pilgrimage route in the world. It runs from Selånger in the east to Trondheim in the west and is approximately 580 kilometres long in total.

Tännforsen waterfall is 38 metres long and 60 metres wide and forms part of the Indalsälven river system. The area around Tännforsen has been a nature reserve since 1971 and is also a Natura 2000 site. A well-marked and easily accessible hiking trail leads from Tännforsens Turiststation to Tännforsen waterfall.

Vålådalen Nature Reserve features high mountains, mighty valleys, crystal-clear waterways and extensive forests. The nature reserve offers both long tours through pristine, impressive mountain landscapes and safe, accessible nature experiences for many groups of visitors. Naturum Vålådalen has exhibitions about the surrounding nature, various activities and guided tours.

Culture

Fröå Gruva was a central site during the heyday of copper mining from 1744 to 1919. Today, Fröå Gruva has a well-preserved site with numerous historic buildings and remains that visitors can explore. In summer, guided walks are offered at Fröå Gruva, during which visitors can see the impressive waterwheel and descend into the dark mine.

The Huså Mining and Industrial Museum uses old objects, documents, photographs and models to tell the story of the region's copper-mining era. The exhibition includes working models of waterwheels, ore carts, pumps and a rod system, allowing visitors to playfully try out processes involved in arduous mining work. A mineral museum with a large collection of local minerals as well as minerals from distant countries is located in the same building as the Huså Mining and Industrial Museum.

The medieval church in Åre was built at the end of the 12th century by farmers from the Åre parish, which at the time belonged to Norway. Today, it is the only surviving medieval stone church in the Scandinavian mountain region.

Activities

Björnen has a cross-country cycling arena with numerous easy-to-ride trails, as well as a family-friendly area with pump tracks, flow trails and technical tracks. Åre Bike Park offers 50 kilometres of downhill cycling trails across 39 routes and is considered Scandinavia's largest bike park.

For further orientation in the area, you can go directly to Ottsjö, Åre, Undersåker or Duved. You can find further regional destinations under Härjedalen, Älvdalen and Berg.

To the higher-level travel overview: Jämtland.