Go skiing for fika*! Fika is a must when you visit Åre and the coffee and whatever you chose to have on the side always tastes better after you’ve had to work for it. Here are some tips on where you can go to during your tour – and cross-country ski tour. 

*Swedish fika is basically coffee or tea, or maybe soda or juice, with something usually sweet on the side such as cake or waffles. It can also be a semi-lunch consisting of said beverages and a slice of bread with toppings. 

#1 Bergstugan in Fröå

Bergstugan is situated in the old mining village in Fröå on the “other side” of Mt. Åreskutan. It’s a typical Swedish red house with white details that provides a homely feeling. Everything is made from local produce and there is a lunch buffet with salads, waffles, sandwiches and coffee, all served daily.

Follow the 10-kilometre trail from Björnen’s cross-country centre (Åre XC Arena) and keep a look out for the Bergstugan sign about halfway. From there, follow the cross-marked trail across the Fröå road and then up towards the old mining village where Bergstugan is situated. To get back to Björnen, re-connect with the original 10-kilometre trail and continue on until you come back to Björnen’s cross-country trail centre.

How to get there: Park at the Åre XC Arena in Björnen and follow the 10-kilometre trail. About halfway, turn left and follow the signs to Bergstugan, Fröå Gruva. You can also drive there: Continue along the Fröå road past Åre XC Arena. Drive for a few kilometres and look for a sign pointing you to the left and up to Fröå Gruva.

#2 Vita Renen

On the other side of Lake Åresjön there’s a beautiful peak called Renfjället. On its southern face lies the Vita Renen restaurant. Best way to get there is to drive to Edsåsdalen and start from there. You can either tour all the way down from the village or you can hop on the trail at Ravinbanan’s Mountain Station. From here it’s an easy uphill climb for about 3 kilometres. Another option is to be towed or take a ride in the snowmobile sleigh all the way up. Vita Renen is open when the ski lifts at the top of the mountain are open so check the opening hours through Edsåsdalen before heading out.

Everything at Vita Renen is home-made and they offer lunch, à la carte and coffee. There’s a large veranda overlooking the south of Årefjällen and a lovely place to have a break at on a sunny spring day. Why not take a snowmobile here directly from Åre? Either with your own snowmobile and valid track card from VÄSEK or on a guided tour. If you’re taking a snowmobile from Edsåsdalen, it’s the Edsåsdalen’s snowmobile track pass that applies.

How to get there: From Åre, drive east on the E14. Turn right at the first exit to Undersåker. Keep to your right across the railroad and make a right turn just after the bridge, where the sign points towards Edsåsdalen. Park close to the Köja Fjällhotell and Edsåsdalens Sportbod (the sports shop). Ravinliften is the lift just above the sports shop.

#3 Lillåstugan

Lillåstugan is located about two kilometres from Ullådalen’s parking and a perfect destination to go skiing for fika. It is a family run waffle hut that serves coffee, sandwiches, goulash and other homemade tasty treats based on the family’s recipes.

The track is groomed for classic skiing, but as it is a popular tour, the track is usually a bit trampled. If you want to work a bit harder on your way there, there is also a longer trail, about 6 kilometers of back country track which is also groomed for skate skiing. Follow the 5-kilometer trail north after heading past Ullån. Keep left after the long uphill towards Mullfjället, then follow the signs to Lillåstugan down towards Åresjön again.

How to get there: Park your car at the upper parking lot in Ullådalen or take the ski bus to Rödkullen and walk from there (the distance is circa 2 kilometres). Take aim for Mullfjället (the opposite peak from Mt. Åreskutan) and follow the trail across the Ullån rapid. Keep to your left and follow the signs towards Lillåstugan (there’s also a sign close to the parking lot). You can also reach Lillåstugan while alpine skiing: Make a right turn at the Fjällvallsliften valley station in Tegefjäll and follow the track down to the hut. On your way back there’s a transport track to Tegeliften in Tegefjäll.

Find the track: aretrails.com

#4 Waffles Over Open Fire at Fröålägret

Swedish waffles are more or less a must-have in Swedish food culture. And the best way of having them is to fry them over an open fire together with friends and/or family.

In Fröålägret (Fröå Camp) you can do just that with assistance from wilderness guides. This is an experience that needs to be pre booked with activity operator Explore Åre. Ski in about 2,5 kilometers from Åre XC Arena or about 800 meters from Fröå Gruva (Click here for map) and make your way to the camp where you will get a seat by an open fire and all the ingredients needed to create a super cosy waffle experience.