Summer at SkiStar Vemdalen and Åre: New climbing park, trail biking and Åreskutan 360

Preparations are now underway to get Vemdalen and Åre ready for the summer season, which opens in June with new mountain experiences. Both destinations have a long history of year-round tourism, and this year SkiStar’s offer will be expanded as Vemdalen gets its first climbing park and trail biking with machine-dug cycle trails down Vemdalsskalet.

Åre, home to one of Europe's most popular Bike Parks with first-class downhill cycling and plenty of fun and accessible trail biking for everyone, will maximise its cycling experiences with new and improved trails. Meanwhile, more people will be able to enjoy Åre's stunning views and mountain surroundings with Åreskutan 360. This summer, SkiStar has also reduced the price of several activities*.

“We want to get more people moving and to be able to offer both an active and relaxing holiday all year round. We want more guests to enjoy and access the amazing Scandinavian mountain environment, even in summer. That’s why it feels so exciting that SkiStar is now investing in and launching summer activities here in Vemdalen, offering easily accessible and affordable wellness for the whole family,” says Anders Lundqvist, Destination Manager at SkiStar Vemdalen.

One of the big new attractions in Vemdalen is a climbing park with zipline at the top of the Skalet Express. Take the lift up to climb in the park (or walk up if you wish). The climbing park consists of 1-8 different tracks ranging from 1 to 8 metres high with varying difficulty levels, as well as 2 ziplines. Setting off from the same location, two machine-dug trails for trail cyclingare nearing completion and will, take you down the mountain on fun and easy trails, either on your own or a rented mountain bike. A training course, the skills area, will be located adjacent to the trails. The area has also had a pump track for a while now. Bike guides will be available to book. The SkiStarshop on Vemdalsskalet’s Square will have a wider range of bikes available for hire. The cosy Hovde hotel is also located here and is open all summer.

New developments in Åre
Enjoy all the views of Åreskutan, which will now be even more accessible to more visitors thanks to the Åreskutan 360. This is a continuation of the lookout at the top of the cable car and an approximately 300-metre loop with trail/ramps for viewing. Access for pushchairs and wheelchairs makes it easier for children and seniors to get up there to enjoy the lovely 360-degree view from the summit of Åreskutan.

“Åre will only just have ended the winter season when it opens for summer, making it more and more attractive as a year-round destination. We have a lot to offer, including world-class cycling, but you shouldn't underestimate a visit to the mountains to just relax and enjoy the fantastic mountain environment we have here. Last but not least, we look forward to welcoming all O-ringen participants to test Åre's entire range of summer activities,” says Sebastian Thomasson, Destination Manager at SkiStar Åre.

Åre Bike Park Downhill will feature a blue jump trail, Cobra, which has been extended by 1.8 km, as well as upgrades to the Shimano trail. In addition, the new Stjärnliftenis available this year, a completely new bike lift built to take more bikes than before. Two new trails are being added to the Åre Bike Park Trail Björnen: Järnet (blue) 0.6 km, Hackan (red) 0.8 km, and a new jump section, a 150-m long jump trail. If you are visiting Åre Björnen, another new attraction is the Gamla Fröåvägen from Björnen to Fröå Gruva via Fröåtjärn, which has been upgraded to become an accessible route where everyone can get there on foot or by bike. On this route, the barbecue areas on the shore of the lake have also been updated. Read more

In Åre, SkiStar offers a private downhill and trail guide, several group lessons in downhill, trail, jump and pump track, and a bike camp for 8-11 year olds.

The climbing park in Åre Björnen gets a new track and has been extended with tree climbing - where you use harnesses and stakes to climb up trees according to your own ability.

Hiking is a popular summer activity in Vemdalen and Åre where lifts can take you along the way. Totthummeln, perhaps the most popular hiking trail in Åre, has been updated for the summer to reduce the wear and tear on the surrounding nature. The trail has been given portals with swing doors to show that it is for hiking only. Read more

No summer visit to Åre complete without a dip in Lake Åre The Åre beach and marina area has undergone a gradual overhaul over a couple of years and is now ready for the summer. The promenade now offers a jetty, sunbeds, barbecues, outdoor sports, kayaking, a standing cafe and much more.

Summer is also the peak season for events in Åre, especially in July when the town hosts O-Ringen, the Tvåkrona Sailing Championship as well as the classic Åre Bike Festival, Fjällmarathon, Åre Golfweek and more.
All events in Åre
In Vemdalen

Even more shops and restaurants will be open this summer in both Åre and Vemdalen. Trumvallen in Vemdalen offers more glamping and a new farm shop, and a new restaurateur will open Fäbokrogen at Klövsjö-Vemdalen Golf Club.

*Affordable and discounted activities

Sample summer 2023 prices at SkiStar Åre (previous year in parentheses):
Bike rental 1 day, MTB adult: from 40,50 Eur (59)
BikePass 1 day (all cycling including lifts) adult: from 26 Eur (43)

Opening hours
In Åre, the summer and autumn season runs from 9 June- 4 November. See all opening hours at skistar.com

In Vemdalen, the summer season runs from 23 June-8 October, with autumn half-term holidays in week 44. Detailed opening hours

More information:
All information, lodging bookings and activities for the summer at SkiStar Vemdalen can be found at skistar.com
SkiStar Åre

All you need to know about summer in the whole of Vemdalen
Åre destination

Press images:
can be found on SkiStar's press website: https://www.skistar.com/en/press/#/latest_mediaand on SkiStar's Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/skistar/albums