Are Ski Resort Review 2026
Are is Scandinavia's biggest and liveliest ski resort, around 90 km of pistes across several linked areas rising to about 1,275 m by lift, with the strongest apres scene and the widest off slope choice in the Nordics. It suits intermediates, families and groups who want a complete, sociable ski week rather than a quiet outpost. Skip it if you need big alpine vertical, guaranteed sunshine or deep powder, because Are above the treeline can be cold, windy and dark in midwinter, and its appeal is breadth and atmosphere, not steepness or scale by Alpine standards.
By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed May 2026
Mountain stats at a glance
| Village altitude | around 380 m, roughly 1,250 feet |
|---|---|
| Top lift | around 1,275 m, roughly 4,180 feet, below the 1,420 m Areskutan summit |
| Vertical | around 900 m, among the largest in Scandinavia |
| Pistes | around 90 km across Are, Duved and Bjornen |
| Run split | roughly 20 percent green, 45 percent blue, 25 percent red, 10 percent black |
| Lifts | around 40 across the linked areas |
| Apres and town | the largest resort village and liveliest scene in the Nordics |
| Season | early December to early May, World Cup host |
| Nearest airport | Ostersund around 1h 20m, Trondheim in Norway around 2h |
| Day pass | around $55 |
Photos via Google. Contributed by Pontus Svensson, Wilma Saalo.
Who it suits
Are suits intermediates, families and sociable groups above all. As Scandinavia's largest and best known resort, with around 90 km of pistes across the linked Are, Duved and Bjornen areas and roughly 40 lifts, it offers the breadth, the apres and the off slope variety to fill a proper week, which most Nordic resorts cannot. It is the natural choice for a first or flagship Scandinavian ski trip.
It is a weaker fit for two groups. Experts will find the terrain largely intermediate, with only around 10 percent blacks and modest steep lift served pitches despite the roughly 900 m vertical off Areskutan. And anyone sensitive to cold, wind and short daylight should know that the open upper mountain in deep midwinter can be harsh and dark, which sometimes closes the top lifts.
The skiing
Are's skiing spreads across three connected areas below the Areskutan massif. The main Are sector has the bulk of the lifts and the steepest terrain, with around 900 m of vertical to the lift top at about 1,275 m and the open upper bowls beneath the 1,420 m summit. Duved and Bjornen add gentler, more sheltered, family friendly terrain, linked into one ski pass and ski area of around 90 km.
The character is overwhelmingly intermediate cruising, with long blues and reds through and above the trees, well groomed and reliable. The upper mountain offers some genuine challenge and off piste when the weather and the avalanche situation allow, but Are is not a steeps resort, and experts should set expectations toward quality and variety rather than gradient.
Conditions are cold and dependable rather than deep. Are holds a long season from December into early May and hosts World Cup racing, with excellent snowmaking backing natural cover. The main variable is weather above the treeline: wind and poor visibility can shut the top lifts in midwinter, at which point the sheltered tree runs at Duved and Bjornen become the safe play.
The village
Are has the most developed resort village in the Nordics, a real lakeside town with a pedestrian square, a broad choice of restaurants and bars, shops, hotels and a railway station right in the center. By Scandinavian standards it is genuinely lively and well equipped, the closest the region comes to a full service Alpine resort town.
This breadth is Are's defining advantage. Families and non skiers have plenty to do, from dog sledding and snowmobiling to spas and shopping, and the town has enough going on each evening to sustain a week without monotony. It is modern Scandinavian rather than historic alpine in look, but as a complete resort base it is unmatched in the Nordics.
Apres and evenings
On apres, Are is the clear Nordic leader, and this is one of its strongest selling points. The village has the largest concentration of bars, restaurants and after ski venues in Scandinavia, including well known slope side spots that fill the moment the lifts close, giving Are a genuine party reputation that no other Nordic resort matches.
Swedish prices are the caveat to plan for. Drinks and dining are expensive, so a bar heavy week adds up, though Sweden is generally a little cheaper than Norway, and the sheer choice of venues means you can pace spending across casual and smart options. The scene peaks at weekends and in the Swedish holidays.
The honest verdict on apres is that, for a Nordic resort, Are genuinely delivers, with the liveliest and most varied evenings in the region. It still is not the round the clock spectacle of the biggest Austrian resorts, but for a sociable group wanting a real scene within Scandinavia, Are is the obvious pick.
Where to stay
The choice is between the lively Are village and the quieter satellites. Staying in Are town puts you in the heart of the apres, dining and shopping with lifts and the station close by, ideal for groups and those who want the scene. Duved and Bjornen are calmer, more family oriented bases on the same ski pass, better for households who prioritize easy slopes and quiet evenings.
Lodging ranges from hotels to a large stock of apartments, and self catering helps manage Swedish prices, placing a typical week in the $2,000 to $4,000 band per person before flights. For how apartments compare with hotels and catered stays, see our guide to catered chalet versus hotel versus apartment. If you would like an Are or Sweden trip priced for your dates, use the form below.
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For a faster quote on where to stay in Are, send the short form below and operators who know Are and the Swedish mountains will price your dates and group.
Lift pass prices and how to save
A day pass runs around $55, mid priced for Europe, with multi day passes covering all three linked areas and offering the usual per day reductions. The pass covers a lot of terrain for the money given Are's size by Nordic standards.
As elsewhere in Scandinavia, the larger savings sit off the mountain: self catering, buying alcohol and groceries thoughtfully, and balancing nights out against nights in make more difference than the pass. Compare current pass options through our lift pass partner.
Lessons and ski hire
Are has large, professional ski schools used to international visitors, with strong children's and beginner programs and widely spoken English, making it an easy resort to learn at or to bring a mixed ability family. The gentle Duved and Bjornen terrain is ideal for early lessons.
Rental shops across the village and satellite bases cover every standard of gear. Book lessons through our lessons partner and skis or a board through our ski hire partner.
Getting there
Are is well served for a Nordic resort. Ostersund airport is around 1 hour 20 minutes away with domestic flights from Stockholm, and Trondheim in Norway is around 2 hours, while an overnight train from Stockholm runs directly to Are station in the village center, a distinctive and convenient way to arrive. Stockholm itself is around a one hour flight plus transfer.
The rail option in particular sets Are apart, dropping you in the heart of the resort without a car. Book a transfer or car through our transfer partner, and arrange cover through our travel insurance partner before you travel.
When to go
February and March are the prime months, combining reliable cold snow with returning daylight and the liveliest village atmosphere. December and January bring dependable early snow but short, dark and often cold days with a real chance of wind closing the top, while late season into April and early May offers long light and softer afternoons. For the best mix of snow, light and scene aim for late February into March.
The honest bottom line
Are is the most complete ski week in Scandinavia: around 90 km of mostly intermediate pistes across three linked areas, roughly 900 m of vertical, a long season, World Cup pedigree and by far the liveliest village and apres scene in the Nordics. You trade big alpine vertical, deep powder and guaranteed bright, mild days for breadth, atmosphere and the most sociable base in the region.
For intermediates, families and groups wanting a real resort week within Scandinavia it is the standout choice; for experts chasing steeps or anyone wanting Alpine scale and sunshine, look further south. If you want this trip priced by specialists, tell us your dates and budget below and we will route your brief to operators who know Sweden.
Common questions
Why ski at Are?
Are is Scandinavia's biggest and liveliest ski resort, with around 90 km of pistes across three linked areas, roughly 900 m of vertical, a long season and World Cup pedigree. Crucially it has the most developed village and the strongest apres scene in the Nordics, which makes it the natural choice for a complete, sociable Scandinavian ski week.
Is Are good for families and beginners?
Yes. The linked Duved and Bjornen areas offer gentle, sheltered, family friendly terrain, the ski schools are large and used to international visitors, and the village has abundant off slope activities. The main caveat is that the open upper mountain can be cold and windy in midwinter, so families often stick to the tree runs in poor weather.
How does Are compare with the Alps?
Are is smaller and largely intermediate, with around 90 km of pistes against the hundreds in big Alpine domains, and its midwinter days are short, cold and sometimes windy. In return it offers exceptional snow reliability, a long season, the liveliest village in the Nordics and easy rail access, making it a strong choice for a sociable northern week.
Does Are have good apres ski?
Yes, the best in Scandinavia. Are has the largest concentration of bars, restaurants and after ski venues in the Nordics, including well known slope side spots that fill as soon as the lifts close. It is not on the scale of the biggest Austrian resorts, but for a Nordic resort it genuinely delivers a lively scene.
How do you get to Are?
Ostersund airport is around 1 hour 20 minutes away with flights from Stockholm, and Trondheim in Norway is around 2 hours. A direct overnight train from Stockholm also runs to Are station in the village center, a convenient way to arrive without a car.
When is the best time to ski Are?
February and March offer the best balance of reliable cold snow, returning daylight and lively village atmosphere. December and January have dependable snow but short, dark days and a chance of wind closing the top lifts, while April and early May bring long light and softer afternoons.
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