Åre
Åre | |
|---|---|
 Åre in February 2003
12:34 PM | |
  Åre  Åre | |
| Coordinates:63°24′N13°05′E/ 63.400°N 13.083°E | |
| Country | Sweden |
| Province | Jämtland |
| County | Jämtland County |
| Municipality | Åre Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 649 km2(251 sq mi) |
| Population (31 December 2018)[1] | |
| • Total | 3,200 |
| • Density | 505/km2(1,310/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1(CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2(CEST) |
| Climate | Dfc |
Åre(Swedish pronunciation:[ˈôːrɛ]) is alocalityand one of the leadingScandinavianski resortssituated inÅre Municipality,Jämtland County,Swedenwith 3,200 inhabitants in 2018.[1]It is, however, not the seat of themunicipality,which isJärpen.25% of the local economy is based on tourism,[citation needed]most notably thedownhillskiing andbikingresorts in Åre,DuvedandStorlien.The growth in tourism has resulted in the development of hotels, recreational and shopping opportunities in the area.
History
[edit]In the 12th century theÅre Old Churchwas built. SaintOlaf the Holyis a historical figure who has influenced the village and for centuries pilgrims passed through the village on their way toTrondheim.Sami peoplesettled in the mid-17th century to take advantage of good reindeer pasture. In the 18th and 19th century thecopper minesin Fröå were important industries. Tourism started to grow with the establishment of a railroad in 1882, and Åre's firstGrand Hotelwas erected in 1896. The kings of Sweden andNorwaycame to stay in Åre and Storlien for recreational purposes since the 19th century.
Geography
[edit]Åre is situated in Åredalen (Åre Valley), approximately 400 metres (1,300 ft)AMSLat the coastline ofÅresjönlake. Through Åre goes theEuropean route E14and theMittbananrailway, connecting the larger townsÖstersundandTrondheim.
Climate
[edit]Åre has asubarctic climate(Dfc).
| Climate data for Åre-Björnänge V 1991-2020 (403m) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −2.7 (27.1) |
−2.4 (27.7) |
1.3 (34.3) |
6.3 (43.3) |
11.7 (53.1) |
16.2 (61.2) |
19.3 (66.7) |
17.8 (64.0) |
12.9 (55.2) |
5.9 (42.6) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
7.1 (44.8) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −5.7 (21.7) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
1.5 (34.7) |
6.6 (43.9) |
11.0 (51.8) |
14.1 (57.4) |
12.9 (55.2) |
8.6 (47.5) |
2.7 (36.9) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−4.7 (23.5) |
3.0 (37.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −9.3 (15.3) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−2.3 (27.9) |
2.2 (36.0) |
6.8 (44.2) |
9.5 (49.1) |
8.6 (47.5) |
5.0 (41.0) |
0.1 (32.2) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
−8.2 (17.2) |
−0.7 (30.8) |
| Source: NOAA[2] | |||||||||||||
Tourism
[edit]Tourism in Åre started as KingOscar IIin 1882 supervised construction of the Östersund–Trondheim railway. With this new railway, many people came to Åre to breathe the fresh air and to walk to the top ofÅreskutan.They were soon known as "air-guests" (Sw.luftgäster).[3]
There was no hotel, but in 1888 Albin Wettergren opened a restaurant by the railway station. In 1891, Åre Tourist Station opened and even more guests were attracted to the village.
A lady fromÖstersundsaw this increasing tourism as a great opportunity to open a hotel and did so in 1895. It was called "Hotell Åreskutan". Albin Wettergren opened a hotel ( "Grand Hotell" ) as well. These were only a few of all the hotels that were going to be founded in Åre.[4]
In 1910, the funicularÅre Bergbanawas built and was the third one in Sweden afterSkansens BergbanainStockholm(1898) and the one inKiruna(1907).[5]This was a more convenient way for the air-guests to reach the top of Åreskutan.
In 2008, the hotelCopperhill Mountain Lodgeopened on the top of the Förberget hill. Designed by American architectPeter Bohlin,it is the only mountain hotel in Scandinavia referred to as a "Design Hotel".[citation needed]
Winter events
[edit]Taking advantage of theÅreskutanfell,Åre Ski Area has become the major center foralpine skiingin Sweden, sporting more than 30 modern ski-lifts. It hosted theAlpine World Championshipsin1954,2007and2019,and has hosted more than 100FIS Alpine Ski World Cupevents throughout the years. On 9–10 March 2012, theFreestyle FIS World Cupwas held at theSlalombackenslalom course close to the village centre, and on 18 Feb 2020 a sprint race in theFIS Cross-Country World Cupwas held at the same place.[6]
2021 Special Olympics World Winter Games
[edit]Åre along withÖstersundwere initially selected to host the2021 Special Olympics World Winter Games.It would have marked the first time that Sweden has ever hosted the Special Olympics.[7]However, due to a variety of issues including lack of funding, on 19 December 2019, the event will not take place in Sweden.[8]Instead it will take place inKazan,Russiaand was delayed to 2022.
Winter Olympics
[edit]Åre has also been the site for the alpine events in Sweden's eight failed bids to host theOlympic Winter Games,including for the1984,1988,1992,1994,1998,2002,2022and2026.This is because Åre has the onlypistein Sweden suitable for top-leveldownhillraces.
Notable people
[edit]- Henrik Lundqvist–New York Rangersgoaltender, gold medalist in 2006, 2012 Vezina trophy winner and twin brother of Joel Lundqvist
- Joel Lundqvist–Frölunda HCcaptain and checking forward, two-time world champion, formerDallas Starand twin brother of Henrik Lundqvist
- Jon Olsson- Professionalfreestyle skier,X-Games Champion and social media influencer
- Henrik Windstedt– winner of the 2008FreerideWorld Tour
- Lars-Börje Eriksson– Olympic alpine skiing bronze medalist
- Henrik Harlaut– Professional freestyle skier
Summer events
[edit]Åre has since the 1990s become the largestmountainbikeresort in Sweden. In 1999 it was the host for theUCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championshipsand it hosted the Nordic Championships 2007. There are numerous gradeddownhill cyclingtrails. The Åre Bikepark is open from 1 May until 15 October and is the host for the Mayhem Festival.
During summer Åre can also sporthiking,paragliding,kayaking,and agolf courseabout 15 minutes from the village. In July every year there is amultisportcompetition in Åre –Åre Extreme Challenge.It counts as the Scandinavian championship in multisport.[citation needed]
"One of the world's ten best ski-resorts"
[edit]In 2008 Åre was appointed as one of the ten best ski-resorts in the world at the list from the magazineCondé Nast Traveller[9]
-
Åre cable car -
Åre central square
Transport
[edit]The nearest airport is situated 99 kilometres (62 mi) eastward, on the island ofFrösönin Östersund.Åre Östersund Airportis aninternational airportand the ninth biggest in Sweden with roughly 390 000 passengers (2005).
TheEuropean route E14runs through Åre fromTrondheimvia Östersund toSundsvall,where it merges with theEuropean route E45.
Åre also has a train station.Norrtågoperates theMittbananrailway fromStorlien(where Trondheim-bound diesel trains connect), via Åre and Östersund to Sundsvall. Åre is connected to Stockholm,GothenburgandMalmöthrough long distanceSJ 3000(higher-speed trains) andInterCity.Åre is also served by seasonal overnight trains.
-
Åre railway station -
Åre Östersund Airportterminal
References
[edit]- ^abc"Statistiska tätorter 2018, befolkning och landareal per tätort och kommun"(in Swedish).Statistics Sweden.2020-01-10.Retrieved17 February2020.
- ^"NOAA / WMO averages 1991-2020 Åre-Björnänge V".SMHI / NOAA.Retrieved25 August2023.
- ^http://pressrum.skistar /templates/LongPage.aspx?id=34[dead link]
- ^"Hotel Diplomat Åregården & Lägenheter - Diplomat".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-10-02.
- ^"Untitled Document".Archived fromthe originalon 2006-12-08.
- ^"ÅRE".Ski Tour 2020.
- ^"Sweden selected to host the 2021 Special Olympics World Winter Games".Special Olympics.
- ^Swedish Government Decision Forces Special Olympics To Choose New Location For 2021 World Winter Games
- ^"'TIS THE SEASON TO SKI - We've picked some of the best places for British skiers in 2008-9, whether you are looking for off-slope activities in a Swedish mountain town, glamour in the USA, Canada's best slopes or an off-piste heli treat in India (Listed Alpha betically) ".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-10-26.Retrieved2009-01-23.
External links
[edit]
- VisitAre- Official resort website
- Resort magazine
- SkiStar Åre
- Are Sweden– Details and information on Åre