Åre winter news 2017-2018

Several new accommodation options for groups as well as individual guests; new ski slope in the Åre Sadeln area; solar powered ski lifts; alpine world cup final; a continued focus on activities and a fully-packed après-ski programme. EasyJet’s flights between London and Åre Östersund Airport continue and a new direct flight service from Copenhagen will make Åre even more accessible for the Danish guests. Here follows a summary of the news before the upcoming season in Åre.

Temperatures started dropping below zero in October and Åre town is now decorated in white. The snow cannons are in operation throughout the ski area and all of Åre stands well prepared for another winter season. The first ski lift opens in Duved this Friday, November 24^th.

Among the news this year: EasyJet continues its services to Åre Östersund Airport introducing direct flights from Copenhagen, from Christmas until Easter, while the direct flights from London that started last winter are scheduled to continue.

SkiStar expands the popular ski area Åre Sadeln with a brand new slope. The slope has blue rating and fits both beginners and those who enjoy long carvings. SkiStar also presents Sweden’s first solar powered ski lifts. From this winter three of Åre´s largest lifts VM:8, Sadel Express and Duveds Linbana will be solar powered through a partnership with Fortum.

Between 14th and 18th of March Åre hosts the World Cup final in Alpine skiing. All the world's best riders will gather in Åre to decide who will be the King and Queen of the World Cup in 2018. A great warm up for the alpine championships in 2019.

New accommodation options for larger groups are introduced, among them Kaffestugan in central Åre with 20 beds, also the 380 square metre large Åre Chalet in the middle of town. November will also see the launch of This Is Åre, a platform for premium segment accommodation booking.

Various new activities options are added such as Snow Quadby Explore Åre, cross-country ski clinics in various places throughout Åre with surroundings by Åreguiderna, and also a huge offering of group activities and rental of tour skating gear by Camp Åre.

Holiday Club Åre continues its profiling as the training resort where all the activites are included: training at SATS gym and the activity programmes in Active Inclusive offering items such as snow-shoe hikes, family yoga, swimming school and winter running.

Granen Hotel is also augmenting the scope of activities and with the new part owner rap artist and entrepreneur Petter Alexis Askergren these range from training weekends and wine festival to interesting live music acts.

A large portion of the Swedish artist elite will perform at the Bygget nightclub. And the popular après-ski venues including Fjällgården and Årehyddan tempt with a well-packed selection of live bands.

In addition to these, last year’s successful premiere event Åre Sessions will be back for the last weekend of April.

Please scroll down to see all the news from Åre.
All the novelties are also presented in the attached document.

Please also see an overview of all the events this coming winter in the attached document.

For more information:
Helena Engelbrecht
PR Åre Destination
+4673 532 25 29
helena.engelbrecht@aredestination.com

Therese Sjölundh
VD Åre Destination
+4670 347 86 87
therese@aredestination.com

Popular Mount Åreskutan. Photo: Anette Andersson.

Here follows a summary of the news from Åre winter 2017/2018.

SkiStar
The ski area in Åre Sadeln is expanded with more skiing
The already popular ski area Åre Sadeln gets another new slope for the next season. The slope, which has a blue rating, fits both beginners and those who like to enjoy long carvings. That fits well into the ski area, which has both blue and red slopes. The new downhill slope gives the newly built apartments in Sadelbyn true ski in/out possibilities. The slope will also have snow removal systems from the start, which means increased snow safety in the area.

Even better skiing with improved snow capacity and preparation
During winter, the snow production systems and the possibilities for raising the quality of the ski slopes will be strengthened by investing in a high quality preparation equipment and developing the snow laying system at Snobbrännan slope in central Åre. The snow production system on both the east and west sides of the downhill will be strengthened, and become more efficient – regardless of wind direction.

New large lodging in central Åre
Vacationing with several families together, or vacationing with several generations together, or a small businesses that wants to be able to live together during conferences, is becoming increasingly popular. SkiStar Business has in recent years had a high demand for lodgings with 15-20 beds. Therefore, we are restructuring what is commonly called Panget. The new name will be "Kaffestugan" and becomes a completely renovated lodging, with 20 beds in the center of Åre – within walking distance of the lifts and the center of Åre.

easyJet continues to expand in Åre / Östersund Airport
Europe's fourth largest airline easyJet continues and expands it´s investment in Åre / Östersund Airport. The London flight line, which started already last season, is now being supplemented by a further direct line. The new direct line from Copenhagen will go from Christmas to Easter. Denmark is already Åre's third largest market and with a new direct line there is a great potential to increase the proportion of Danish guests in Åre further.

The world's best alpine skiers are coming to Åre for the World Cup final in 2018
During 2017, a very successful JVM (Junior World World Championships) in alpine skiing was held in Åre. The next season, Åre turns it up another level when Åre hosts the World Cup final in Alpine skiing. All the world's best riders will gather between 14th and 18th of March, to decide who will be the King and Queen of the World Cup in 2018.

The world's best juniors go head to head for the championship in mogul skiing
Over the years, Åre Slalomklubb has seen number of skiers who have won medals in the Junior World Cup in mogul skiing. The tradition of sport is strong in Åre. That's why it's great fun that Åre once again will host a Junior World Championship Cup in mid-April of 2018.

Skistar Fun Slope in Bräcke
A truly unique skiing experience. The SkiStar fun slope is an adventure ski area inspired by snow parks and a ski cross tracks. Here, both skiers and snowboarders, regardless of age and skill level, will experience skiing pleasures and real excitement.

Solar Powered Ski Lifts
Fortum will be uniquely collaborating with SkiStar Åre as its new partner, where SkiStar Åre's three biggest lifts will be driven by solar power.

Åre Accommodation AB
Rental agency and caretaker services in the premium segment
New Åre Accommodation AB has been formed in response to wishes from property owners in Åre who desire a partner to act as rental agents and caretakers of their holiday flats/chalets in the premium market segment. Åre Accommodation AB is a subsidiary of Åre Byservice AB, a company that has been operative for more than 40 years within rental as well as quality caretaker services.

This is Åre
The digital platform with the domaine This is Åre facilitates the booking of accommodation, activities and transport for the guests. The platform is optimized for sales channel management and social medias and also offers the suppliers flexibility, control and insight in respect of the properties that are available for rental.

The mission is to act as agents for an exclusive selection of accommodations in Åre, primarily privately owned chalets and apartments, packaged with activities, experiences and transport.

AGO Mitt i Åre
New accommodation, breakfast solutions and luggage service for groups
There are now more fine spacious accommodations in the Sadeln area in Björnen and also in Årevägen in central Åre. In addition here is the luxury refurbished Åre Chalet – 380 square metres on three levels, with 14 beds in 7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, cinema room, spa and fabulous views of Lake Åresjön and the surrounding fells.

Groups are now offered free luggage pickup from Station Åre. Groups may also opt to have breakfast delivered to their place of stay.

Copperhill Mountain Lodge
Development plans for Mt Förberget
There are a lot of exciting development plans on Mt Förberget at Copperhill Mountain Lodge. The hotel has filed an application with Åre local authority for the creation of a nature trail with four small cabins, a music room, reading room, a nature spa, sauna and a chapel. A decision is yet to come but hopes are to start the expansion next year.

Reconstruction of Fireside
The coming spring, soon after the end of the winter season the lobby bar Fireside will be redesigned with a new staircase added up to the lounge, a new bar and the lounge.

Holiday Club Åre
Active Inclusive – new activities added
Holiday Club Åre is a training hotel where all the activities are included; such as admission to the SATS gym and exercise classes but also the activities programme Active Inclusive that invites all the family members to test new pastimes. This winter the Active Inclusive programme will include items such as snowshoe family hikes, family yoga, swim school for children, winter running, watergames and obstacle course for the families.

Granen Hotell & Restaurang
A fresh start for Granen Hotell & Restaurang
Granen Hotell & Restaurang has always been a cosy and popular hotel in the heart of Åre. Before the season 17/18 some changes have been made to move the hotel forward towards becoming a year-round hotel.

In addition to the new hotel manager, Johan Hansson and the new booking manager Sara Jönsson, rap artist and entrepreneur Petter Alexis Askergren has come onboard as new part owner.

Petter is working actively with the hotel and is often on site. His influence has so far resulted in the creation of a well-stocked wine cellar in Granen. Petter’s contacts in the music industry also means that several– at the moment undisclosed – artists will be performing in Granen this winter.

Events of various kinds are also planned for this winter; including guest chefs’ performances, starting on 25 December with star chef Daniel Crespi. Among the other names are Christian Hellberg and Jazzköket.

Granen is also focusing on becoming a more active hotel. This venture is starting during the weekend 17-19 November with training sessions led by Jonas Colting and Petter. The training weekend includes training sessions, lectures and good food and drink.

A wine festival is scheduled for 1-3 December.

Tott Hotell Åre
New restaurant concept
A new restaurant concept is introduced this winter under the name of Thyras Matsal. At this point the concept needs to be detailed but it will be in place in time for the season.

Hotell Fjällgården
Après-ski and test driving
Rocking après-ski sessions throughout the winter season with live acts such as Ständut Blakk, Murphys and Bad Influence. Friday and Saturday week 15 will see guest performance by Nicke Borg of Backyard Babies.

Fjällgården’s guests will have the possibility to borrow and test drive cars from the hotel’s partner Jeep.

Åregården/Restaurang Capo
New concept at Capo
Restaurang Capo situated in the lovely basement of Hotell Åregården is changing from Italian to ’Swedish inn’ with influences from French and Swedish cuisines.

Årehyddan
Outdoor bar chilling and après-ski
Årehyddan welcomes the guests this season with a refurbished entrance and renovated outdoor facilities.

Årehyddan’s après-ski stage is this winter taken over by more bands than ever before, including Haak’s from the West Coast and reputed Lars Vegas Trio from Jämtland.

Bygget
Still the venue for the Swedish artist elite 
Bygget still leads the edge in terms of elite artists on stage. The current programme includes two gigs by Anders Wendin/Moneybrother.

Bergstugan
New management
On 1 December 2017 Bergstugan will open under new regime. The new owners Johnny and Karolina both have genuine backgrounds in artisan food and restaurants, most recently from running Undersåkers Charkuteriefabrik on behalf of Fäviken.

Dinner at Bergstugan
Throughout the winter season it will be possible to book dinner at Bergstugan on Wednesday and Friday nights. The first dinner is served on Wednesday 27 December.

Igloo Åre
Larger and more igloos
Igloo Åre is built up for the 6th season. A bit more spacious and a few more igloos will be built to accommodate maximum 20 overnight guests. The largest igloo will measure 4x12 metres, perfect for dinner functions for companies and groups .

So far some 30 weddings are booked for the winter.

Warmth and comfort in the waffles tipi
The tipi will open in mid-December, offering a warm break. Large and nutrituos waffles are promised served by the fireplace, and ski boot heaters will be available to the guests. The tipi can be booked for private functions for groups and companies.

BaseCamp Åreskutan
The all-year coffee mug
Up on BaseCamp Åreskutan, at the top station of the cable car - Kabinbanan, the ‘Året-runt’ coffee mug is being launched. This means that the guest buys the mug for the duration of the season against a one-off fee and then proceeds to drink coffee at no extra cost for the winter and summer seasons. The mug is kept at BaseCamp and when the guest is satisfied with the year he or she can take it back home.

The plan is to design a new mug every year.

Åre Kafferosteri
New all-year coffee bar at Åre square
On 15 December a new coffee bar will open at the square, Åre torg, to remain open all year round; still fully organic, local and sustainable, with their own special coffee and well-trained barristas.

The roastery is open to group bookings.

Åre Chokladfabrik
Vegan truffles
Three kinds of vegan truffle cones have been added to the selection, available in the web shop and the factory shop in Björnänge – toffee, nugget and truffle.

The factory shop is open every day of the week, offering you the chance to view the production, shop for the wide selection of chocolates, sample and drink a cup of hot cocoa with you own favourite flavour.

Svartbergets Fjällbryggeri
Sweden’s highest located brewery, 864 meters above sea level!
This will also be Sweden’s only brewery that is situated in the middle of a ski system. Svartbergets Fjällbryggeri is a proper mountain brewery located in the basement of Åre Ski Inn right by the lift VM:8. The brewery will be able to brew 500 litres a week and serve up to ten different beers, from traditional german styles to more modern ones, some of them with ingredients and inspiration from the local mountain area and Jämtland. Svartbergets Fjällbryggeri will during the winter host events and welcome groups for visits and tastings. 

Åre Ljusfabrik
Candle factory opens
Åre Ljusfabrik has new owners since May and the factory shop in Undersåker will be open to customers, including the possibility to watch the production of candles. The so popular Åreljusen candles can be bought at the factory, in the web shop and at selected outlets in Åre.

Explore Åre
Snow Quad
A new thrilling activity is Snow Quad - an alternative to the snowmobile safaris and an easy way to take the family out on adventures in the backcountry. The four-wheeler or ATV equipped with tracks offers an extraordinary experience and fun driving in comfort in the snowscapes in Åre.

Three kinds of tours are offered: Snow Quad Safari, Snow Quad Family Adventure and Snow Quad Night Ride Adventure

Åreguiderna
Cross-country ski clinics all over the Årefjällen area
Åreguiderna are continuing the effort to promote cross-country skiing . Starting this winter are clinics staged from Vålådalen in the southern part to Duved in the west. The well-trained ski instructors are available for private lessons as well as group training sessions. The instructors will provide the equipment for those who find themselves short of the gear – the latest products from Salomon.

ÅG V-log
Moving media are growing stronger with every year and Åreguiderna will launch its new video blog or vlog in time for the winter season 2017/2018; offering an easy way for those who are keen to join their adventures from the home or office chair. The first episode is planned for release on10 December 2017.

Ditt eget Event – Your own Event
Åreguiderna design dream events in Åre and the surrounding area, such as for a group of friends who wish to compete in parallel slalom or a company offering its employees a cross-country skiing sprint race.

Camp Åre
New owners and more activities for groups
The new owners Puls Sverige bring new energy and are now offering even more group activities such as ice-carving with the possibility to incorporate company logos and products, ice-stock and classic team events. Besides, several tipis are now available – ideal for dinner out of doors and various events.

The so popular snowmobile safaris and zipline are still on the programme, including last season’s new item - Norrskenstur på skoter (Northern lights tour on snowmobile).

Zipline
The fourth course on the black line has been changed to offer increased height and magnificent views over Lake Åresjön and of Mt Åreskutan. In clear weather it is possible to see as far as Storulvån.

Tour skating skates for hire
The shop on the shores of Lake Åresjön now has about 20 pairs of skates for hire.

Systrar i bergen
Avalanche studies, cross-country skiing and summit tours with the sisterhood
The Sisterhood - Systrar i bergen –will organise several courses in cross-country skiing, summit tours and avalanche knowledge in Åre. Systrar i bergen want to encourage more skiers to dare enjoy the mountains and all their courses and tours are based on a sisterhood perspective with female instructors.

Every course has a maximum of eight persons per instructor and always starts with a welcoming meeting and breakfast so that everyone may meet. The course programme is published on the web site: www.systraribergen.se/event.

Åre yogacenter- Mountain Mind
More activities out of doors and yoga
Among the news are children’s and family yoga and several outdoor events including yoga.

Vålådalen
Sport & CaféIn Vålådalen the new Sport & Café is opening in Vålådalens Fjällstation. Here you can check the latest track reports and find tips for tours while enjoying a fika.

Snow cannons in the alpine slope
Vålådalens Fjällstation is now installing a new snow-making system to ensure alpine skiing even if the snow situation is poor. The work is well under way and the resort will be able to offer skiing by Christmas. The piste is 750 metres long with a vertical drop of 150 metres.

Edsåsdalen
Increased focus on families
Edsåsdalen has beyond its 100 km of cross-country ski tracks and innumerable miles of marked touring trails in the highlands, also a lodge with a restaurant, various kinds of accommodation and an alpine ski area ideally suited to families with its 5 lifts and 11 pistes. The focus on families is now further enhanced with items such as Waffles buffet at Köjagårdenwhich also has a playroom and a pool and sauna for a pleasant end to the day outside. The toboggan run – Pulkabacken – situatedadjacent to the children’s piste is being improved and even more fun for a run. At the bottom of the children’s run everyone can learn more about the wild animals of Sweden, such as lynx, hare, brown bear and wolf with the help of wooden animals and relevant information.

Årefjällsloppet
New organisers – new local owners
The long-distance cross-country ski race Årefjällsloppet AB has been taking over in a joint ownership including the resorts Vålådalen, Edsåsdalen, Trillevallen and Ottsjö. The new company is aiming to attract new target groups as well.

On 24 March 2018 Årefjällsloppet is organised in Årefjällen on a course stretching from Vålådalen, via Ottsjö and Trillevallen, to Edsåsdalen.