Photo: © Henrik trygg/imagebank.sweden.se

Essential Advice for the Perfect Trip

Skiing in Are, Sweden is very different from skiing in the Alps. In fact, in many ways it’s more like going to a Colorado ski town than a European one. The round-topped mountains are reminiscent of the Rockies – and so is the friendliness of the locals.Step into one of the hip little bakery-cum-cafes around town and you could easily find a morning has disappeared over coffee and cakes.

Of course there’s plenty that’s different. This is Sweden after all – a place with a strong sense of its own identity and a rich history and culture. Not surprisingly, it takes winter in its stride and has integrated snow into its daily life in a way few other destinations can match. Rather more surprising – but no less impressive – is the mix of urban sophistication and full-bore, wigged out night-life. We know of few other resorts which can offer an apres-ski bar like Timmerstugan and superb restaurants such as Supper, Buustamons and Vinbaren Are: and none of them perches on the edge of a socking great wilderness like Are, Sweden does. It’s as if God had carved off a slice of Stockholm, seasoned it with a sprinkle of Breckenridge and Telluride, and flung it as far north as He could manage.

No wonder Are is popular with many Brits

When you add Are’s beginner and intermediate-friendly ski area into the equation – and the fact that the Swedes genuinely like the Brits – it’s no wonder that many of our compatriots like the place so much. Especially the thirty- and forty-somethings.

“Great place, very nice people, all speaking fluent English and helpful and polite for the most part,” was how one Welove2ski visitor put it – and added, “We will definitely go back there.” Another was even more enthusiastic: “One word sums up everything about Are – quality: from the slopes, to the infrastructure, the ski school, ski hire, accommodation, shopping, eating and after-ski. We first visited in 2010 and have been back every year since.”

We Love

We Hate

The high quality of Are’s pistes – which are pretty much deserted midweek. The weekend nightlife in the centre of Are – and the night skiing. The metropolitan sophistication of the town – it feels like a hip suburb of Stockholm. The views – of the lake and the unpopulated landscapes beyond. The consistently high standard of restaurants. The quality of the tuition, and the effortless English of the instructors.

The very short days in the middle of winter. The fact the top half of the ski area is often closed in December and January, because of the amount of ice that clings to the lift pylons and cables. The expensive food and alcohol.

1. 

   
   Guide to the Mountain
2. 

   
   Where to Stay
3. 

   
   Where to Eat
4. 

   
   Where to Learn
5. 

   
   Where to Party