Are Overview

Åre is Sweden’s premier ski resort and the country’s best-known alpine destination. Located in the province of Jämtland in central Sweden, about 600 kilometers north of Stockholm, Åre combines extensive skiing terrain with a lively mountain village atmosphere and year-round outdoor activities.

The resort is part of the Scandinavian mountain range and is spread across several connected ski areas, including Åre By, Björnen, Duved, and Tegefjäll. Together, they provide a wide variety of slopes suitable for all levels. Beginners benefit from gentle, well-maintained pistes and strong ski school programs, while advanced skiers are drawn to steep runs, tree skiing, moguls, and off-piste terrain accessible from the upper mountain.

Åre is particularly respected for its vertical drop, which is among the largest in Northern Europe. The mountain rises to over 1,400 meters, and the ski area features modern lifts, including gondolas and high-speed chairlifts. Snow conditions are generally reliable from December through April, with colder temperatures than many Central European resorts. The resort has hosted multiple international competitions, including Alpine World Ski Championships and World Cup races, helping establish its reputation as a serious ski destination. Despite this, Åre also remains family-friendly, with dedicated children’s areas and activities beyond skiing.

Cross-country skiing is an important part of the local winter culture as well. The surrounding region offers extensive Nordic ski trails through forests and open mountain landscapes. Ski touring and backcountry skiing are increasingly popular, especially in nearby wilderness areas.

Beyond the slopes, Åre is known for its vibrant après-ski scene, restaurants, and Scandinavian mountain hospitality. The village features a mix of traditional wooden lodges, modern hotels, cafés, bars, and spas. Swedish cuisine, game dishes, and locally sourced ingredients are common highlights.

Compared with the Alps, Åre offers a smaller scale but often a more relaxed atmosphere, shorter lift lines, and close access to nature. It is especially popular among Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish travellers, though international tourism has grown steadily in recent years.

Are Ski Information

Resort height - 380m

Snow range - 380 - 1274m

Ski area - 91km

Easy - 45km

Intermediate - 38km

Difficult - 8km

Longest run - 6.5km

Snow parks - 2

Ski Lifts - 36 (Funicular -1, Aerial tramway - 1, Gondolas - 1, Chairlifts - 6, Drag lifts - 24, Magic carpet - 3)

Things to do in Are

Activities - Winter in Åre offers far more than just downhill skiing, making the resort one of Scandinavia’s most complete cold-weather destinations. Visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing through forests and mountain plateaus, snowshoe hiking, ski touring, and snowmobiling across frozen landscapes. Dog sledding excursions are especially popular and provide a traditional Arctic-style experience through the snowy wilderness surrounding the resort. Adventurous travellers can also try ice climbing, winter ziplining, or cold-water and sauna experiences that reflect Swedish outdoor culture. In the evenings, the village comes alive with après-ski bars, restaurants, live music, and cosy cafés, while the dark northern skies occasionally offer the chance to see the Northern Lights during colder parts of the season. Families benefit from dedicated children’s ski areas, sledding hills, and winter activity parks, while non-skiers can enjoy spas, boutique shopping, and scenic mountain dining. The combination of outdoor adventure, Nordic nature, and vibrant village life gives Åre a dynamic winter atmosphere both on and off the slopes.

Restaurants - The restaurant scene in Åre is one of the highlights of the resort and has helped give the village a reputation as “Little Stockholm” in the mountains. Visitors can find everything from cozy cafés and casual burger spots to sophisticated Nordic fine dining and international cuisine. Popular venues include Restaurang Broken, Åre for lively comfort food and burgers, Werséns Brasserie for classic Swedish and European dishes, and Crêperie & Logi Åre for relaxed alpine dining with sweet and savory crêpes. Restaurants such as Parkvillan and Fjällpuben focus on regional ingredients including reindeer, elk, Arctic char, and game meats, reflecting the traditions of northern Swedish cuisine. On the slopes themselves, mountain restaurants and lodges provide long lunches with panoramic views, making dining part of the skiing experience. The resort also has a strong social atmosphere, with many restaurants blending into bars and après-ski venues later in the evening. Overall, Åre’s food culture combines Scandinavian mountain traditions with modern international influences, giving the resort an unusually diverse culinary scene for a ski destination.

Nightlife - The winter nightlife and après-ski scene in Åre is widely considered the best in Sweden and among the strongest in Scandinavia. Unlike many ski resorts that become quiet after the lifts close, Åre maintains an energetic atmosphere throughout the winter season, combining Scandinavian mountain culture with a social, international feel. Après-ski in Åre usually begins in the afternoon as skiers come down from the slopes. Many bars and restaurants near the lifts fill quickly with people still wearing ski boots and winter gear. The atmosphere is lively but generally more relaxed and social than the high-intensity party culture associated with some Alpine resorts. Live music, DJs, and singalong classics are common, especially on weekends and during holiday periods. One of the most famous après-ski venues is Bygget, a long-established nightclub and entertainment venue known across Sweden. During winter, it hosts large parties, concerts, DJs, and themed events, often attracting visitors from Stockholm and other Scandinavian cities. It becomes especially busy during peak ski weeks and major holidays. Another central part of Åre’s nightlife is the concentration of stylish bars, cocktail lounges, and restaurants around the village square and main streets. Many venues emphasize Nordic design, cozy interiors, fireplaces, and local food culture. Rather than focusing only on partying, Åre’s evening scene blends social dining, craft drinks, and mountain atmosphere. The nightlife tends to evolve through the evening. Early après-ski is social and energetic, dinner hours are more relaxed, and later at night the bars and clubs become busier, especially during weekends. Swedish ski culture often emphasizes group travel and shared cabins, so many evenings also continue privately in mountain lodges before people head into town.

Airport Transfers - How to get to Are

We can organise your transfers from Trondheim Vaernes Airport. You can also choose between a shuttle transfer which can be more economical if only a few people are travelling or a private transfer which will take you direct from the airport to your accommodation.

Distance to Trondheim Vaernes Airport: 135km