Boasting one of the best ski resorts in Scandinavia, Åre is a riverside village in Sweden’s Jämtland County. It was settled by Sami reindeer herders in the 17th century and became a copper mining hub in the 18th century before the construction of a railroad in 1882 brought the first waves of tourists.
In the heart of Åre is the Gamla Åre Kyrka, a Romanesque church constructed in the 12th century along the Saint Olaf Pilgrim’s Route. It houses several beautifully preserved medieval artefacts, including a wooden statue of Saint Olaf, a processional cross and a richly decorated baptismal font.
Most visitors come to Åre to take advantage of the area’s alpine skiing, with 89 slopes on offer across the ski resort’s 890-metre vertical drop. There’s something for all snow enthusiasts, from challenging off-piste trails to terrain parks and world-class downhill runs, as well as beginner-friendly areas.
Getting there
Åre is a 1.5-hour drive from Östersund and just over an hour from Åre Östersund Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect from towns and cities across Sweden to the Åre railway station and ski lifts access the surrounding slopes.