Text: Anna Kron Boysen och Philip Brodin Kibsgård
Winter experiences can be so much more than just skiing. In Jämtland Härjedalen, located in central Sweden, you will find – in addition to world-class skiing opportunities – many different and unique winter experiences: practice yoga on reindeer skins, ride some of the world’s first electric snowmobiles, or meet domesticated reindeer.
During the winter of 2024, tours on electric snowmobiles will be a unique novelty in just a few places in the world. One of these locations is Åre in Sweden, where Åreguiderna will launch guided tours on electric snowmobiles. Electric snowmobiles allow guests to get closer to nature with minimal disturbance. Initially, only a limited number of electric snowmobiles will be produced by BRP (Lynx/Ski-Doo) in North America. Half of the fleet will be shipped to Europe, and nine of these electric snowmobiles will be available for Åreguiderna’s guests in January 2024. The new, silent electric snowmobiles will also be introduced at two other northern destinations – Rovaniemi in Finland and Svalbard in Norway. The electric snowmobiles can travel up to 50 km on a single charge, which is perfect for snowmobile activities around Åre’s mountain peak, Åreskutan.
At Ullis & Rudolf in Trångsviken, in Jämtland Härjedalen, guests can meet and pet reindeer while learning more about their lives. They can discover why reindeer look the way they do and what it’s like to live and work with them. In the reindeer enclosure, visitors can also help feed the reindeer, and of course, traditional Swedish fika is served, with coffee and cake prepared over an open fire.
In Lofsdalen, you can combine delightful snow yoga with a refreshing winter dip in a mountain stream, followed by a warming sauna. The yoga exercises are performed outdoors in the crisp winter air on warm reindeer skins, with a view of the mountains. After the yoga session, a refreshing experience awaits in the sauna amid Lofsdalen’s mountain landscape, along with winter bathing in the icy, clear mountain stream. It’s an experience close to nature where the contrast between warmth and cold meets.
Ski touring, also known as ski-touring, involves hiking up the mountain with your skis and then skiing down off-piste. The interest in ski touring is growing every year, and the advantage is that you can reach places that are otherwise difficult to access. It’s a combination of nature experience and skiing. Many hesitate to venture into unknown terrain, but if you are curious about leaving the slopes without knowing how or where, an introductory course with Åreguiderna is a perfect choice. Several courses are held during the season, where you will learn the basics of equipment and technique out in the mountains. Avalanche equipment, boots, skis, and poles are included in the price.
Skiing behind a snowcat to enjoy a delicious waffle at Jaktstugan is a unique skiing experience that everyone in Vemdalen should try. The snowcats have become somewhat of a cultural symbol for Vemdalen, and the experience of being towed on skis, secured with a rope, is a true classic. Since 1966, visitors have been able to reach Jaktstugan to enjoy waffles or other food with a stunning view of the mountain. If you prefer not to be towed behind the vehicle on cross-country or downhill skis, there is also the option to sit inside the snowcat.
Interest in cross-country skiing in Sweden’s Funäsfjällen is significant. Now, there’s a desire to increase that interest even more — especially for the little ones. Funäsdalen has 300 km of trails for cross-country skiing and ski touring. Many adults appreciate the slower-paced and physically demanding cross-country skiing, which offers a true nature experience in untouched terrain. However, it can sometimes be challenging to entice children to join in on a cross-country outing. In Funäsdalen, they have now expanded the range of children’s activities with five new adventure-themed cross-country ski trails. The trails are designed to attract children to cross-country skiing and hopefully create a lifelong interest in this form of skiing. The cheerful mascots of Funäsfjällen inspire and challenge children on the five new adventure trails, featuring terrain waves, arches to ski through, and fun characters. The trails will premiere during the sports break in week 7.
Jämtland Härjedalen is located in the heart of Sweden and offers winter experiences of all types, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, biathlon, ice fishing, and more. The area provides the very best conditions for a great ski holiday – you get a lot for your money, snow reliability, and both family-friendly and challenging skiing options, making it a true ski paradise. With its magnificent nature, world-class skiing opportunities, and charming villages, this area is a gem for ski lovers. It is easy to travel to the region with direct flights from Copenhagen to Åre/Östersund Airport with SAS, take the train from Malmö directly to the ski slopes with Snälltåget or SJ, or drive by car, for example, taking a ferry to Gothenburg or Oslo and driving through the winter landscape from there.