Springtime tips! The fifth season, vårvintern, is maybe the best season of the year. Here are 7 tips for how to best enjoy springtime in Åre. So pack your thermos, your sunglasses and enjoy!

#1 Spring skiing

There’s a moment in the season when skiing takes on a whole new feel. The snow softens, the sun adds warmth, and the terrain becomes smooth and forgiving. That’s slush skiing—and yes, it’s every bit as good as it sounds.

Slush is the mountain’s version of sorbet. Soft, playful, and surprisingly fun. Your skis sink in just enough, turns become rounder, and everything feels effortless. You can push through the snow in a completely different way than in midwinter, working with the terrain instead of against it. For many, it’s the most enjoyable skiing of the season.

The best part? You don’t have to search far. Slush isn’t just found on the backside of Åreskutan (though it’s a great place to start)—it shows up all over the mountain when the conditions line up. Head out, feel it out, and suddenly you’re there.

Slush skiing might not be something you plan down to the minute—but it’s definitely something to look forward to.

If you’re heading to the backside with a group, wrap up the day with après-ski at Skiers Hütte. Here, a touch of Switzerland meets Åre, with cheese fondue, great wine, a cozy alpine vibe, and a sunny terrace out on the mountain—perfect when your legs are tired and you’re ready to refuel.

Good to know: Skiers Hütte requires advance booking. Directions on how to get there are available on their website.

#2 Waffles & coffee

There is nothing like a well-deserved coffee break and a tasty waffle after a good ride. There are plenty of slope restaurants with large sun facing verandas throughout the ski system. If you wish to make a longer tour of it, strap your cross-country or ski touring skis on and visit Lillåstugans Våffelbruk in Ullådalen, Bergstugan at Fröå Gruva or Vita Renen in Renfjället.

#3 Sun pit hangouts

When the spring sun really starts to warm things up, there’s a classic that never fails—digging into the mountain and staying a while.

Where you set up your snow pit? Wherever it feels right. Just off the trail, where the snow is soft enough to shape and the view sets the mood. The mountain is full of inviting spots—it’s more about the feeling than the exact location.

Pack your backpack with the essentials: a shovel, a seat pad, and something good to snack on. Dig in for shelter, settle back, and let the sun do the rest. Chocolate and oranges are a given—just as much a part of it as the pause itself. And yes, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must. The spring sun is generous.

There’s no schedule here. Let the break last longer than planned.

One of the simplest pleasures in the mountains—and one of the very best.

#4 Ski the backside to Huså

A ski adventure that feels like a well-kept secret starts at the top of Åreskutan and leads you all the way to the small, authentic ski area of Gruvbacken in Huså, tucked away on the mountain’s backside. From the summit, follow the marked trail down—it’s groomed, clearly signed, and stretches about 10 kilometers. The route varies in difficulty, but anyone with solid basic skills can make it down comfortably. Plan for about an hour from the top to Huså, with time to pause, take in the views, and settle into the mountain’s natural rhythm along the way.

Once you arrive, enjoy a cozy lunch at Gruvstugan and take a few runs in Gruvbacken before hopping on the snowcat back to the Stendalen lift in Åre’s ski system. When you book your return, both the snowcat ride and a lift pass for Gruvbacken are included—an easy way to tie the whole experience together. The ride back takes around 25 minutes, with departures arranged as needed and the final trip timed with the Stendalen lift hours, so you can seamlessly continue your day in Åre.

Get in touch with Gruvbacken to reserve your spot. The mountains are waiting—quiet, white, and closer than you think.

Good to know: The trail to Huså typically opens around the February holidays and runs daily, weather permitting. For the latest updates, check Gruvbacken’s Instagram.

#5 Go ski touring

This is a classic way to experience late winter in the mountains. Few things compare to heading out on touring skis—at your own pace, powered by your own stride. It’s quiet, unhurried, and wide open, with the landscape unfolding all around you.

Around Ullådalen, Vålådalen, Ottsjö and Edsåsdalen. , you’ll find plenty of scenic trails suited for both short outings and longer tours. You can easily explore them using the digital trail map at aretrails.com.

No gear? No problem. You can easily rent touring equipment at Åre Sportshop. Located right off the E14 in Undersåker—on the way to Edsåsdalen, Ottsjö, and Vålådalen—it’s a convenient stop that gets you out on the trails without any detours.

A pair of skis, the mountains ahead, and late winter just as it’s meant to be.

Find out more about the trails on aretrails.com

#6 Ice fishing

Buy a fishing license and fill your backpack with a thermos and something to sit on. Trout and Char are found in almost all waters around Åre, but a recommendation is to go to Greningen. You can reach Greningen from Duved, or from Lake Åresjön. If you’re lucky, you’ll be bringing home dinner! For tips and rental equipment, visit Fjällsport in Duved.

#7 Skate skiing in Ullådalen

There are April mornings that only happen here. Early hours on the cross-country trails in Ullådalen, when the mountains feel almost untouched. The sun has just started to warm, and the air carries a hint of spring—while the snow still holds firm like winter.

Overnight temperatures keep the tracks crisp and fast, making for some of the smoothest skiing of the season. It glides, it responds, it flows—without effort.

Head out early, and chances are you’ll have it almost to yourself. No crowds, no noise to break the rhythm—just a quiet stillness that settles deep. The only sound is your skis against the snow, in a landscape slowly coming to life.

It’s the contrast that makes it so special. Spring in the air. Winter in the snow. A feeling you can’t recreate—only experience, right there, in that moment.