Written by: Anne Adsten
Ever wondered why swedes seem to be born on skis? And what do they do besides skiing with all that snow? How about getting it all solved once and for all. Get your gear ready, or hire the latest on site. Go north for an epic winter journey and witness your own greatness at the end of the vacay!
Yellow signs warning of marauding moose by the roadside and tidy red-and-white cottages in the clean, countrified style peculiar to Scandinavia will be your view driving from the airport. Whether you choose to stay in the city comfort of Östersund, a well-known city for Biathlon Championships with mountain views, or if you choose one of the ski resorts – you are sure to have improved your winter skills by the end of the week. This article is all about how you come closer to skiing like a Swede!
And about the moose, if you do see one, you are very lucky. They are shy animals and they move mostly at dusk or dawn. Be sure to use your car lights if you drive in the dark.
Åre is the skiing capital of Scandinavia. Surrounded by a hilly landscape the mountain Åreskutan dominates with it´s 1.420 m. a. s. l. There are more ski lifts and slopes than you could ever manage for your first day of skiing. Go for a nice beginners area to work up your skills before you hit the black diamonds by the end of your stay. Do not be surprised if you ski parallel to two-year-olds, since this is the age when some Swedes are introduced to the sport. We feel an obligation to warn you. If you are into mountain towns at all, the Åre bug may bite you as well.
Swedes master it from when they are about four years old as it takes some coordination not to move like a robot. The parallel tracks help keep your skis where they should be, followed by recessed slots in the snow. It is up to you to decide whether you are up for a relaxing tour to think deep thoughts or if you are out for a vigorous workout – whatever makes you feel good!
Keep to the shorter trails if you are a beginner and it is always appreciated if you step to the side if faster skiers pass by. The floodlit tracks make it possible to ski late in the evening so if you´re up for it you can even do it after your day in the slopes.
The sports capital of Sweden, Östersund, boasts having nearly 90 km of prepared tracks within five minutes from the city center.
You tried your best, time and time again, and you realize skiing is just not your thing. Do not worry, Swedes do lots of things besides skiing. A winter holiday in Sweden is about spending time together in the outdoors which is why there is plenty more activities on the menu. A mountain hike with snowshoes under the starlit sky can be very romantic or bring some artisan foods from the region and head for a luxurious lunch in the outdoors at the mountain of your liking.
Great intentions may not always fall out in terms of pre-seasonal training. At the end of the week skiing may seem like a punishment rather than something joyful. Treat yourself to a sled tour with four-legged fury friends. Imagine you are an explorer heading for the last frontier, but make sure your tour goes to one of those wonderful swedish waffle huts in the mountains. There is nothing like savouring a fresh waffle with whipped cream and cloudberry jam!
Are you a hard core skier? One of those loving to unofficially compete with your fellow travellers; who will ski the fastest, the longest, fall the hardest…? Do you like effortlessly cool restaurants and chalets with pine scented saunas?
– We have the ultimate grand tour of “Skiing like a Swede” for you. Starting with skiing in Scandinavia´s ski captital Åre, moving on to the master carving slopes of Vemdalen, Funäsfjällen in search for powder and finishing up in the official swedish ski cross arena of Lofsdalen.
Fly or take a train to Stockholm. Fly from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) to Åre Östersund Airport (OSD), 50 minutes by air, and from there by rental car or Airport taxi. Or take a train from Stockholm to Östersund (about 6 hours) or Åre (7 hours). And a rental car, bus or taxi from the railwaystation.
Try for example SAS or Norwegian from Great Britain to Stockholm Arlanda and then SAS or BRA to Åre Östersund Airport. For Åre you can also use Trondheim Vaernes Airport in Norway and take a rental car or transfer from there. And, for Funäsfjällen you can do a train ride or flight to Røros and connect by taxi or rental car from there.