The Alpine region of Europe, spanning eight countries and over 750 miles, boasts some of the most luxurious ski destinations in the world. With Olympic runs, five-star hotels, elegant spas and Michelin-starred restaurants, alpine ski resorts cater to winter sports enthusiasts, royalty and anyone else with a hankering for an exhilarating ski opportunities, majestic views and old world charm. But if your style’s a bit more casual, consider skipping the formality and grandeur of an Alps vacation and head a little further north instead. While slightly more expensive than your average cold-weather Alpine getaway, a trip to Åre, Sweden, located approximately 200 miles from the Arctic Circle, offers a lot of the same ski experiences with a lot less of the pomp. Take a look at four reasons why you should embrace simplicity and visit Sweden’s snowy slopes:
It’s Exciting
Because of its proximity to the Arctic Circle, Åre’s winter days are short, especially between November and January, with only about six hours of daylight. Thus, you don’t have to wait until it’s nighttime to experience the thrill of skiing in the dark. In Sweden, you can brave the snowy darkness (albeit with floodlights)! more frequently and for longer periods of time than you can in other resorts to the south. It’s also a lot colder in Åre, practically guaranteeing that there is always a massive amount of snow on the ground and in the forecast.
There’s Still Michelin-Starred Food Available
You could hire an h-1b visa attorney to help bring a culinary master to you, or you could visit Magnus Nilsson at “the most isolated restaurant” on earth. Currently ranked 67th in the world and with two Michelin stars, Nilsson’s Faviken is Åre’s unlikely treasure. Here you can taste locally sourced vegetables and specially cured meats. But if you really prefer to skip a world-class meal, you can still sample less pricey but delicious fare at three of Nilsson’s pop-up eateries: Krus, Svartklubb and Uvisan. Apparently, Sweden produces fine dining choices even while keeping things low-key.
You Can Do More Than Ski
Along with the common spa amenities and good food offered at most ski resorts, you can also find a host of activities to enjoy in Åre besides downhill skiing. These include ice climbing, nordic skiing, snowmobiling, ice driving, paragliding, snowshoe hiking, dog sledding and ziplining. You’d be hard-pressed to find such a variety elsewhere.
The Northern Lights are Within Reach
You’ve heard about the aurora borealis, but in Sweden you just might actually be able to see them. While technically you have the chance of seeing the northern lights during any dark night in northern Sweden, according to Route North, you’re most likely to catch a glimpse of them in “late September to early November and March [through] April.” It’s a lucky coincidence that the best time to take a Swedish ski holiday coincides with the best time to see one of the world’s most magnificent natural wonders. Doesn’t that make a winter Swedish adventure even more alluring!
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