Ski Touring in Åre

Why take the lift when you can earn your turns? Strap on your climbing skins, adjust your poles, switch your boots and bindings to walk mode, and set off into the mountains under your own power. Ski touring – randonnée, ski mountaineering, or whatever name you give it – is all about the joy of the journey as much as the descent. Here are some tips to help you get started and discover the freedom of exploring untouched slopes.

There’s something special about ascending a mountain using your own power and really earning your turns. Gaining one vertical meter after another. Getting into your rhythm and finding flow in each step forward. Choosing your way depending on the current feeling in your body and the weather conditions. Seeing your goal approaching.  Of course, the real reward comes afterwards – ideally in the form of a flawless, powder-filled descent. But more often than not, it’s the memories from the journey up – not the summit itself – that linger the longest. Whether it’s the thrill of the descent or the challenge of the climb that brings you the most joy, here are a few tips to help you on your way to the top.

Test Tour – Mt. Åreskutan’s peak

WHAT? An easy ascent to try ski touring or test your gear.

This short tour gives you a perfect opportunity to test your equipment for greater adventures without letting go of the safety of civilization, as well as for trying ski touring for the first time. The tour from the cable car and gondola mountain station to the peak of Mt. Åreskutan is circa 180 vertical metres. The path is marked and easy to find in good weather (if it’s a whiteout day with poor visibility: Cancel). In addition, Toppstugan is open when the top lifts are open and the weather permits = perfect reward for the struggle (and recovery) before going down again.

The Great Beyond

WHAT? Ski touring with a guide

If you want to explore and discover new sides of Mt. Åreskutan or other places where lifts don’t even exist, the best tip is to hire a guide. They keep track of the weather, wind, avalanche and snow conditions and take you to the best rides with the best experiences. And instead of buying a full set of ski touring equipment before you know if this is your thing, you can start with renting. Contact any of the companies at the bottom of this page to find out more about ski touring guiding and equipment. SkiStar, Åreguiderna, Explore Åre and JoPe Fors & Fjäll are among those who offer guided ski touring tours with experienced guides in and near Åre. Equipment is sometimes included. Find more adventurous skiing companies in the list below.

Night Skiing

WHAT? Ski touring at night with a head lamp.

Ski Touring in the dark gives it an entirely different dimension. The surroundings seem closer and you need to rely more on your senses to find your way and master the terrain. As a first tour a reflex trail to follow can be very helpful. There’s a reflex trail in Björnen through the forest up in Förberget where you will find your way with a strong headlamp. The trail begins in the forest between the Lokattliften (the button ski lift that goes under the road) and the crossroad to Fröå Gruva. The tour is a little bit tricky, so a hot tip is to hang along with the Skidcenter ÅreBjörnen on a guided tour for the first time. You can rent equipment and get technical tips with them as well.

Ski Touring in the Åre Ski Area

WHAT? Ski touring in the ski area, while it’s open.

The ski area operator SkiStar offers a number of Ski Touring trails within the ski areas, from Duved to Björnen. The trails are located so that you will climb and ski down on prepared slopes. Please note that the ski areas are out of bounds after closing time and will be used by snow groomers and other vehicles. For your own safety, kindly respect the opening hours. You can find out more about ski touring in the ski area here >>