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The Swedish resort of Åre is one of Northern Europe's biggest skiing destinations, playing host to the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2007. The resort has five different ski centres and a great number of slopes, from black pistes and tricky off-piste slopes to a wide variety of easy skiing opportunities for children and beginners.

There are also great slopes for snowboarding and telemarking. Heli-skiing is available, and there are 500km (311 miles) of cross-country skiing trails. The resort has a very good ski centre for families with young children.

Resort elevation: 380m (1,247ft).

Top elevation: 1,274m (4,180ft).

Base elevation: 384m (1,260ft).

Number of lifts: 40.

Number of runs: 102.

Average annual snowfall: Unavailable.

Åre is located in the county of Jämtland which borders Norway, just about midway on Sweden's north-south axis. The resort is situated 98km (61 miles) from the city of Östersund.

The season runs from late November until late April, with snow cover reliable throughout the season.

All of Åre's slopes are located on the mountainsides rising up from the Åre Lake, but not all the ski centres are interlinked. At Duved, Ullådalen and Åre Björnen there are wide and easy slopes for beginners. Duved is also excellent for intermediate skiers, with several runs offering smooth but fast skiing opportunities. Central Åre also has many slopes well adapted to intermediates, but this is where the steepest runs are, and it is on central Åre's black pistes, as well as in the off-piste areas, particularly the so-called ‘Backside', that advanced skiers find their greatest challenges.

The off-piste skiing in Åre is among the best in Scandinavia. In addition, Tegefjäll has excellent tree runs. The lift system is modern, but be prepared for lots of T-bars.

Freestylers can try out their latest tricks in the the terrain park and halfpipe.

The ski school offers instruction at all levels for all ages, starting at three years. Ski hire outlets are located near the slopes.

Åre is a typical ski resort, but increasingly it offers activities other than skiing. Snow kiting, paragliding, snow windsurfing, dog sledding, snowmobiling and horse riding are all popular, and the hotels have swimming pools, saunas and gym facilities.

The Åre Björnen ski centre to the east of central Åre is particularly good for kids and families. It has gentle slopes, a ski school, a crèche and a restaurant and accommodation geared towards young families.

The number of shops in Åre has increased hugely over the last few years - from small fashion boutiques to big sport shops and stores selling clothes and equipment for mountain activities. There are also some good gift and handicraft shops in Åre village. Åre Glashytta (Gamla Stationshuset, Stinsvägen 12) offers a range of beautiful handmade glass items.

Dippan (Hotel Diplomat Åregården, by the central square in Åre), is famous for its après-ski events. Later on it turns into a nightclub with several bars and music styles. The legendary Country Club nightclub, which usually offers live music entertainment, is located in the same hotel. The club Bygget (by the skilift VM8:an, Åre Fjällby) has in recent years developed a reputation as a good après spot with its three dance floors and lively atmosphere.

There are decent restaurants in most of the hotels in Åre. Fjälllgårdens Matsal (Hotell Fjällgården, at the top of Åre's cable car) is a particularly good and quite exclusive restaurant serving Swedish cuisine mainly based on local ingredients. The same goes for Bakfickan (Hotel Diplomat Åregården), although the cuisine has a slightly more modern twist.

Broken American Bar & Grill (Åre village square) offers a reasonable and comprehensive American-style grill menu.

Ski buses run frequently between Duved in the west, Åre village and Åre Björnen in the east. These are free to lift pass holders.

Go heli-skiing in Snasahögarna, a great off-piste area near Storulvån Mountain Station. Available through Åre Äventyrsbutik (Åre Adventure Shop) (website: www.areaventyr.se).

Luxury

Holiday Club
Located in central Åre with spa, plenty of saunas and a massive swimming pool with huge water slide.

Tel: (0647) 12000.
Website: www.holidayclub.se

Moderate

Tott Hotell
Located by the Tottbacken slope, this hotel offers skiing right outside the entrance as well as Åre's only cinema.

Tel: (0647) 15000.
Website: www.totthotell.com

Budget

Åre Continental Inn
Budget options do not really exist at Åre, but the Continental Inn, 5km (3 miles) from central Åre, often has reasonable offers.

Björnänge
Tel: (0647) 17170.
Website: http://areinn.se

Nearest airport: Åre Östersund (OSD).

Distance to resort: 94km (55 miles).

Driving time: 1 hour 10 minutes.

Nearest railway station: Åre (direct trains from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö).

Beginners, Experts, Snowboarders, Snow reliability, Après ski, Intermediates, Families