Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland
A big city in an alpine village costume For over 100 years, Åre Bergbana has been bringing tourists up the mountain from Åre town square all the way to Fjällgården (the Fell Farm), and still today the funicular railway remains at the heart of what is now northern Europe’s largest and most advanced alpine resort. Voted Sweden’s best ski resort for the third year in a row at the World Ski Awards last month, Åre is unquestionably phenomenal – yet there is more to life in Åre than skiing. By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Niclas Vestefjell
Being the best and biggest is all well and good, but what does it mean in real terms? For starters, there are slopes for all kinds of skiers, always maintained to perfection. Åre Björnen offers a selection of slopes suitable for beginners, naturally attracting plenty of families with children, and the next step is Duved with its mix of easy to intermedium challenges. Those keen on powder and forest skiing will enjoy Tegelfjäll, while Blåstensbranten is superbly steep, offering huge scope for hardcore freeriders. “Central Åre is unique with skiing opportunities both above and below the tree line as well as incredibly fun and challenging off-piste,” says Therese Sjölundh, CEO of Destination Åre. 40 | Issue 83 | December 2015
Of course, Åre would not have been chosen to host so many global alpine competitions if it was not a world-class skiing destination. The resort has been host to numerous Alpine World Cups since 1969, the 99th and 100th taking place on the 12th and 13th of this month, and last year it pulled off the feat of holding the events after no more than two weeks’ notice, due to lack of snow at the original host resort, Val d’Isère in France. Next up is the 2019
Photo: Werséns.
FIS Alpine World Championship, and the preparations are already in full swing. “The hands of the entire village are on deck,” says Sjölundh. “Duved has got itself a new snow-making cannon system and new lighting, and the main slope has been widened. All these efforts are massively adding to the experience here – not just for the athletes, but starting today.”
A year-round, multifaceted experience Perhaps the idea of all hands on deck and shared benefits is one of Åre’s key strengths. “The village is full of momentum and lovely people,” Sjölundh enthuses. “Åre is alive all year round: it’s big enough to have everything you need, yet small enough to keep that village feel and atmosphere.” While located some dis-
Photo: Jonas Kullman.