Ski touring in the ski system

Ski touring or randonné is a form of skiing which has drastically increased in popularity over the last few years, not only in Åre. It is both a great form of exercise and a nice way to experience nature in your own pace. Many associate ski touring with remote mountains with no ski lifts but it is increasingly popular to ski tour within the prepared ski area. Below you will find both a number of Ski Touring trails within the ski system and some tips on how to have a great tour.

Opening hours

Some of the trails are open for touring during the daytime and others in the evening. Please pay attention to, and respect, the opening hours specified the opening hours specified here. Please note that opening hours may vary depending on the season.

Follow the regulations

• A valid ski pass is required if you wish to use the designated Ski Touring trails.
• If you are touring with a friend, walk in a row rather than next to each other and try to keep a straight line up the slope.
• Follow the signs and directions and do not deviate from the trail.
• Avoid traversing. If you must cross a slope, please do so where you are visible and where you can see skiers coming.
• Respect the opening hours, closed trails and signs.
• When Ski Touring at night, it is mandatory to ski down the same path used when ascending.
• The ski area is a place of work, so be aware of its opening hours (see opening hours here). Snow grooming, snow production, winching, avalanche prevention work etcetera occurs when the mountain is closed, therefore, entering the area when its closed is prohibited.
• You may only ski down the designated slopes.

Trail descriptions

In the ski maps below you find the starting point for each ski touring trail marked in red text. The numbers within parenthesis in the trail descriptions refer to their equivalents on the SkiStar Ski Maps.

Ski touring Åre

Ski touring night, Åre by

Vertical Drop: 430 meters
Length: 3300 meters
Opening Hours: Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
Get nice evening stroll up the Långsvängen slope and ski down the well lit Gästrappet slope. Start at the VM 8:an’s valley station (Å22) and walk along Långsvängen lågzon (34) to Rödkullen valley station. Make a right turn and continue along Rödkulleleden (46). Move on along Åreleden lågzon (48) to the VM8:an upper lift station at VM-platån. Descend via Gästrappet (57).

Arenaleden, Åre by

Vertical Drop: 430 meters
Length: 3300 meters
Opening Hours: Daytime only, during regular opening hours. Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
This trail takes you from the bottom to the top of VM8:an ski lift. Start by the tunnel by the E14 road/the west side of Störtloppet to avoid descending skiers. Walk along Långsvängen lågzon /34) to the Rödkullen valley station and turn right. Continue along Rödkullesvängen (46) and walk along Åreleden lågzon (48) to the World Cup Plateau (VM-platån).

Åreleden Högzon, Åre by

Vertical Drop: 600 meters
Length: 3000 meters
Opening Hours: Daytime only, during regular opening hours. Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
This trail takes you from the bottom of Gondolen ski lift to the top of the same lift. If you want to ski tour all the way from the valley, connect from Arenaleden described above. This trails starts at the VM-platån and makes a westward turn towards Rödkullen along the World Cup Trail (47). Make a turn to your right after circa 600 meters, then make another turn to the right and follow Åre-leden högzon (49).

Långbacksleden, Åre by

Vertical Drop: 280 meters
Length: 1300 meters
Opening Hours: Daytime only, during regular opening hours. Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
A nice tour located entirely above the tree line and rewarding you with some great turns high up on the Åreskutan mountain. Start at the 1000 meter lift plateau and walk to the Åre topplatå by following the East side of the slope Fjällbacken (81). If you need help, you might find personell in the old house next to the 1000 meter lift (1000-metersliften). If the flags are out, they are on site.

Byleden, Åre by

Vertical Drop: 430 meters
Length: 3300 meters
Opening Hours: Daytime only, during regular opening hours. Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
This trail could be seen as a winter variation of the local villagers favorite hike, up or around the Totthummeln. The trail starts at Åre square (Åre torg) or at VM6:an at Kabinhuset (Å31). Walk along the East side of Stjärnbacken (74) to Fjällgårdsexpress (Å34) and continue along Tottliften’s (Å35) lift track. Follow it to the top of the lift (Å35) to Tott Berg (Å35)/Fjällgårdsexpress Berg (Å34). The terrain is quite demanding.

Ullåleden, Ullådalen

Vertical Drop: 600 meters
Length: 3800 meters
Opening Hours: Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
This one is perhaps the most popular among ski tourers in Åre, taking you from Ullådalen to the top of Åreskutan with great views on the way. Start at the Ullådalen XC-center or the Ullådalsliften valley station (Å14). Walk along Ullåmon (31) and continue along Långsvängen högzon (35) to Åre topplatå. The first 300 meters are quite easy. A bit further up it becomes trickier as you walk through a steep and narrow part via Stendalsravinen. Don’t forget to stop and turn around from time to time to enjoy the view!

Ski touring Björnen

Järvleden, Björnen

Vertical Drop: 170 meters
Length: 1200 meters
Opening Hours: Nighttime only. Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
This is an easy trail suitable for an easy evening tour. Don’t forget to bring a headlight as this area is not illuminated. Start at Järvliften (B44), walk along Björnlandet (120) to Järvliften’s top station (B44) and ski down Järvsvängen.

Björnenleden, Björnen

Vertical Drop: 335 meters
Length: 3350 meters
Opening Hours: Daytime only, during regular opening hours. Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
A cosy trail mostly sheltered among the trees. This trail starts at Björnenliften’s valley station (B40). Follow Björnenleden (105) to the Tottliften top station (Å35)/the Fjällgårdsexpress top station (Å34). After approx. 850 meters, walk across the slope Hermelinenbacken (111). Make sure to keep an eye out for descending skiers.

Ski touring Duved/Tegefjäll

Mullfjällsleden, Duved

Vertical Drop: 360 meters
Length: 1950 meters
Opening Hours: Nighttime only. Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
This trail takes you from the bottom to the top of the Duved ski area. Start at the funicular valley station (Linbanan D2). Walk up along Mullfjällsbacken (3) to the funicular’s top station. On Tuesdays and Saturdays you can ski down Hamrebacken, which is equipped with flood lights, as it is open for night skiing. Opening hours are available via SkiStar’s website.

Leråleden, Duved

Vertical Drop: 360 meters
Length: 1950 meters
Opening Hours: Daytime only, during regular opening hours. Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
Start at Leråliften (D5) and walk up along the lift track to the top station. The lift will be in use while you walk along the lift track. Therefore, this trail requires some previous experience. Make sure to walk in a straight line and keep as close to the side of the track as possible to avoid accidents.

Tegeleden, Tegefjäll

Vertical Drop: 370 meters
Length: 2400 meters
Opening Hours: Daytime only, during regular opening hours. Opening hours are available at SkiStar’s website.
This tour runs mostly in sheltered terrain among the trees and you can make a short detour to Lillåstugan to reward yourself with a waffle. Start at the valley station of Tegefjällsliften (D9) and walk along Tegesvängen (15). After approx. 250 meters, turn onto Lillåleden (20) and walk toward Fjällvallsliften’s valley station (D10). Walk along Bergesvängen (19) to Fjällvallvallsliften’s top station (D10) and enjoy the view of Åredalen.

Things to think about

• Check the weather and avalanche prognoses before heading out.
• Bring a backpack containing warm clothes and something to eat and drink.
• Check your equipment before you head out. You don’t want something to break while you’re on the slope, or on your way up.
• To carry avalanche safety equipment is never a bad idea. Turn on your transceiver before you head out, make sure you have fresh batteries and test it together with your friend’s equivalents. You also need to practice using the equipment beforehand to make sure you know how everything works.
• Make sure your phone battery is fully charged so you can get in touch with others or call for emergency help if an accident occurs during your trip.

Take a course or hike with a guide

Would you like to try Ski Touring, but lack equipment and/or the experience? There are plenty of options for booking a guided tour and renting your gear. Read more about ski touring in Åre here >>