Looking for conference activities in Åre in the winter time? Then here is a good read. Winter in Åre is magical – from fluffy snow in December to the rejuvenating sunshine of the fifth season in the spring. Alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling over magnificent expanses, ice bathing and looking for the Aurora Borealis are just a few examples of activities to help strengthen team spirit and create memories for life. Here are our best activity tips for your conference trip.
The tips below are just a few in a vast range of opportunities. Our Activity Providers and Guides provide a great number of fun activities that may be adjusted to your needs. Take a look further down to explore their activity programs.
Quieter activities
Åre is famous for alpine skiing and many locals and guests spend a lot of time on the slopes and doing other fast-paced activities. However, there are other things to explore, if you feel like taking things a bit slower, or if you want to explore another part of Åre’s extensive range of activities.
Photo: Riverlodge Huskys
Dog sledding
Take a journey through snow-covered forests and magnificent mountain landscapes where the only thing heard is the edge of the sled gliding through the snow, the whistling wind, and the bark of eager dogs. Evening tours, two-hour tours, dinner tours or longer overnight tours are available as guided tours.
Let your guide’s practiced hands lead you and your team or try steering the sled on your own. Dog sledding is a real bucket list experience!
Ice fishing
Ice fishing might look like a calm and quiet activity but just wait until the first bite. Your pulse will rise, your friends will cheer, and then they might envy you if you manage to pull a nice fish out of the water. Whether you catch something or not, this is a harmonious experience.
Sitting on the ice covered lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, while chatting quietly to your colleagues and having a nice outdoors experience is good for the soul.
Photo: Darren Hamlin
Aurora Borealis
Strap on your snowshoes and go for a night time walk among snow-dressed spruces lit by headlamps. Take a seat on a reindeer hide and enjoy a cup of coffee around a crackling fire while learning about the natural phenomenon Aurora Borealis.
And if the conditions are right, you’ll have the chance to experience the awe-inspiring northern lights that you might otherwise have only seen in pictures. It’s quite simply an unbeatable experience.
Photo: Åreguiderna
Nordic skiing and ski touring
Backcountry ski touring through Åre’s fabulous winter landscape will give you great stories to tell when you get home.
If you wish for something a bit more speedy under your feet, cross-country skiing is a great alternative. With the help of an instructor, you can learn some great skiing techniques. Åre XC Arena’s tracks are prepared daily and for more views, Ullådalen is a great tip
Spa
Åre’s reputation as a health resort began in the 19th century when guests came here to breath the clean air. This has not changed. The outdoors attract crowds every year but there are plenty of other things to enjoy.
After spending time outdoors, what can be better than to check out Åre’s spas? Take some laps in the pool, relax in a steaming sauna and treat yourself to a massage, face treatment or whatever’s on the menu.
Photo: Sara Rönne
Snow shoeing
There are other, great ways, to experience the snowy outdoors, than skiing. Snow Shoeing is one of them. There are guides who can help you with both gear and guidance while you head out on walk through mighty spruce forests and mountainous terrain with endless views.
Hear the snow crack beneath your feet and soak up the fresh cool air. Take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee cooked over an open fire.
Adventurous activities
There are plenty of fun and fast-paced ways of enjoying your winter conference in Åre. Skiing is an obvious choice, as Åre has sprung up around alpine skiing, but there are other fun ways that will put a smile on your and your colleagues faces, for sure. Find some of the tips below!
Photo: Emrik Jansson
Alpine skiing
Åre is Scandinavia’s largest and, if we’re allowed to say so ourselves, best ski resort and it’s for this reason that skiing should definitely be on your schedule. There are slopes for all skiers, ranging from the easiest green to the expert black. The ski area has around 90 slopes to chose from and offers, apart from piste skiing, fun parks, forest skiing and plenty of off-piste. Experience the high alpine terrain with magnificent views from the top or enjoy the lower altitudes with surrounding forests. If it’s your first, or maybe second, time on skis, we recommend taking lessons, and, depending on your skill-level, hire a guide to show you the best parts of the ski area and maybe try some off-piste skiing.
Set your meeting agenda for the afternoon so you can be out on the slopes as soon as the lifts open which means freshly groomed slopes and few other skiers, and have a good lunch at one of the slope restaurants. Also, there are other ski areas close by which are definitely worth a visit such as Trillevallen and Edsåsdalen. To the west, Duved/Tegefjäll, which is part of the Åre Ski Area, offer great skiing as well.
Snowmobiling
A fun way to experience the outdoors is by snowmobile. The feeling of freedom is great. Have a lunch stop to enjoy a traditional Swedish “kolbulle” fried over an open fire or a hardier meal at one of the mountain restaurants before continuing on your journey through the winter landscape.
Åre’s activity companies offer snowmobile tours with slightly different options. Everything from two hours to a full day or even two days with an overnight stay in a mountain station.
Jumping and climbing
Even if Åre is mostly about the great outdoors, there are plenty of fun activities to get on with indoors, and guaranteed to bring out the child within. Why not challenge yourself and your mates at JumpYard Trampoline Park where the staff will take good care of your team while on site?
Or at Åre Klätterhall, where you can go boulder or rope climbing together to experience something you’ve probably never done together as a team before.
Rally, quads, bikes and more
There are so many activity options, we can’t even list everything here. Our activity companies have plenty to offer. How about a Snow Quad Safari? Or Airboarding and building a bob sleigh? Or maybe rent a bike that handles snow just fine and go on your own adventure?
Rally ice drivning
A tip for great fun is to challenge each other to a rally. In winter, a rally track is prepared on Lake Åre’s ice covered surface. And yes, the ice holds. With Ice Driving Challenge’s experienced instructors, you’ll not only get to experience speed. You’ll learn how to break, steer and cornering techniques on ice, which is an art form in itself. You will become a better driver!
And, of course, it’s even better if you can make it a competition – who makes the fastest time around the track?
Ice bathing
This is a really old tradition that has become somewhat of a trend. It’s freezing cold and your body will experience a flow of adrenaline and afterwards you will feel more relaxed. This is one of those “don’t try this at home folks” kind of moments: Never take an ice bath alone. And for a better experience, let a guide help you! The guide will give you a full experience which starts with yoga and controlled breathing exercises before it’s time to jump in and master the cold. Afterwards, you’ll be relaxing in a wood-fired sauna.
Culinary activities
Make waffles over an open fire
Crispy waffles topped with cream and cloudberry jam always taste better during a winter day in the mountains. It’s even more luxurious to make them yourself over an open fire in the forest. So, take a break and get out in the fresh air for a while – there’s no better afternoon break!
Skiers Hütte
Just like in the Alps but in Åre! At the foot of the backside of Mt. Åreskutan lies Skiers Hütte – a cosy and welcoming Swiss style cabin. With a cheerful crackling fire, tables are adorned with red and white checkered tablecloths and of course cheese fondue on the menu.
Enjoy the terrace during the sunny days of early spring – it’s the ultimate place for your own après-ski. Arrive at the cabin by skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile.
Beer and wine tasting
There are no less than four microbreweries in our small valley – a heaven for beer lovers. Åre Ölfabrik is housed in the cellar of the gastro pub Parkvillan and offers a number of different tastings. Choose between tasting menus with selected beers from their own brewery, beer tastings of local varieties or pay a visit to Åre Bryggcompagni and see how the production is done. If wine is more to your taste, Åre Granen and Vinbaren are two examples of restaurants that offer wine tasting.
For more tasty activities, go to Eat & Drink >>
Extra gems
Time travel
Amongst new development, guests and vivacity you can glimpse the farm village which is the origin from where today’s Åre stems. Morrvikja, or Maria Wilhelmsson, who’s forefathers have been here for generations, will take you on guided tours through Åre’s vast history, and present an experience full of warmth and great knowledge.
Visit frozen waterfalls
Tännforsen, which is Sweden’s largest waterfall, and Ristafallet are really powerful attractions to visit during the winter. Massive ice creations and ice caves forms from the masses of water flowing through, and you can even visit the caves that are formed behind Ristafallet, during a guided tour with JoPe Fors & Fjäll. Next to the waterfall lies a crackling fire waiting patiently with a simmering pot of coffee and freshly baked goods.
Enjoy a sunpit
Early spring is one Åre’s most beautiful seasons and is known here as our fifth season – “vårvinter” (spring winter). The days are longer, the temperature is more pleasing, and the sunshine heats up your face as the snow turns into soft sorbet gliding cheerfully from the rooftops. Move your conference room to a sun pit on the ski slopes. Spread out some reindeer hides, light the grill and enjoy a cold one. We promise your creativity will flow!
Book conference activities in Åre
Åre Valley Lodges
Exclusive accommodation in Åre. They can tailor your stay with concierge services regardless of whether you are a private or company group.
Dohrns Exhibitions & Events
Events, fairs, interior design solutions, special projects - here you will find the knowledge and experience that will make your event stand out.
Congresso
If you want to host your conference, congress, meeting or event in Åre, Congresso can help you with a complete solution from start to finish.
SkiStar Åre Bike Guides
Cycling school and guiding in Åre Bike Park with adapted levels of difficulty for kids, youth and adults, both downhill and XC-biking.
Åre MTB-center
Bike rental and service at Timmerstugan by the lift VM6. Downhill-, freeride-, cross country- and kids' bikes from Giant.
Creative Technology
Professional provider of sound, light and image, virtual events, streaming, interactivity, broadcasting, integration of various systems and more.
JoPe Fors & Fjäll
Adventures all year round. White water activities, caving and climbing during summer. Ice climbing, snowshoeing and guided ski tours during winter.
