/ resorts / sweden /  Are Bjorkliden Bjornrike Bydalen Funasdalen Hemavan Hovfjallett Idre Fjall Kungsberget Ski Cent Lofsdalen Nya Dundret Riksgransen Salen Storlien Sundsvall Sunne Tarnaby Vemdalsskalet

---

Åre is the biggest and most developed resort in the whole of Scandinavia and is well worth a visit from all standard of riders. This place has it all; some steep wide open faces up high, big gullies and more trees to ride through than Ikeas got pine tables. An hour west of Ostersund airport Åre, pronounced or-a, is a purpose built resort at the side of a huge frozen lake near the Norwegian boarder. It gives you the feeling of boarding in the middle of nowhere, from the top of the mountain all you can see is snow covered trees and frozen lakes, outside of the resort there’s nothing manmade insight.

The resort is mainly visited by Swede’s up for the weekend from Stockholm and Norwegians taking advantage of the exchange rate and while crowded at weekend its virtually empty during the week. Often you’ll not see anyone when cranking it down the pistes. While not cheap, boarding in Sweden’s not as much as you might think. A good meal out is the same price as London, or some of the posh North American resort restaurants, and the service and standard of food is often better, with Reindeer stake a must. There’s also a lot to do off the slopes with kite surfing and skidooing on the frozen lake and dog sledding through the woods.

The runs here cover three main mountains all accessed by one lift pass. Åre is the largest area with the most challenging terrain and links by a long down hill track with the Bjornange area, while you’ll need to get a free bus to the Duved area.

The main draw backs here are the wind, which often closes the top of the mountain and the fact that the lifts are virtually all t-bars. Although this does mean that the t-bars aren’t shut when the winds strong and the trees down low will keep you sheltered.

Resort Type:  Alpine
Winter: Nov to May
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 40
Cable cars: 1
Gondolas: 1
Chair lifts: 6
Drag lifts: 31
Max people per hour: 47,390
Board Leashes required: No

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 102
Total ride area: 100km
Longest run: 4miles (6.5km)

Top lift: 1247m
Vertical drop: 1035m
First lift: 400m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 50%
Red runs: 43%
Black runs: 7%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes: 
Half-day 300SEK
1 Day pass - 305
3 Day pass - 870
6 Day pass - 1505
Lift times:9.30am to 4.00pm open till 4th Feb 9.00am to 4.30pm 5th Feb till 1st May

Snowfall

Artificial snowmaking coverage: 25%

Facilities

Snowboard Schools: They offer a range of snowboard instruction including freestyle instruction, private lessons and off piste.
Snowboard Hire: Complete snowboard rental;
1 day - 280SEK
3 days - 710SEK
5 Days - 900
Night Riding: :  There is a floodlight system covering two of the best pistes in Åre, Gästrappet and Lundsrappet (serviced by the Olympia lift). The visibility is actually better in the floodlight than in natural daylight. There is also night boarding off of VM8 chair and other pistes. (7 pistes total)

Other activities

Heliboarding: :  Yes
Snowmobiles: One hour to day long trips on the frozen lake. 1.5hr 380 sek 2.5hrs 500 sek full day 750 sek

Also Dog Sledding one hour to many night trips. 1/2 day 750sek


Also Kite surfing on the frozen lake.

Further information

www.areresort.se/

Please install Flash and turn on Javascript.