PlanetSKI Goes Summer Hiking in the Swedish Ski Resort of Åre
11th June 2026 | James Cove, Åre, Sweden.
This summer we are hiking in the Alps, the Canadian Rockies, plus the South Downs Way & SW Coastal Path in the UK. But we start in Scandinavia. NEW
The question I’m most asked as a seasoned ski writer is, “What is your favourite ski resort?”
The next most popular one is, “What do you do in the summer?”
In the summer months I’ve been glacier skiing in the Alps on many occasions and skied in Australia, New Zealand and South America.
I also go hiking – more and more.
This time it is Åre in Sweden.
We started on the wonderfully named ‘Trail of the Trolls’ and scampered up the hill.
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
It started steeply and soon we caught the first of many fabulous views.
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
Higher up was Nalleklippan named after Erik ‘Nalle’ Frestadius, a frequent visitor to Åre back at the beginning of the 20th century.
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
The nickname ‘Nalle’ means teddybear.
In 1908 Nalle and friends hiked to this spot, his favourite in Åre, and one of the people in the group, a local hotelier called Ture Marcus, named the spot.
Nalleklippan – “The Teddybear Ledge”.
As we progressed it was a wet affair as gentle rain fell steadily, but some boards over the wettest spots eased our progress.
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
As did the views once we reached the ski area.
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Ski areas in the summer have a ghost-town feel to them with the infrastructure in place, but no-one around.
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
With the smallest leap of imagination one can visualise snow, hear the sound of skiers and snowboarders indulging in their passion, picture the fun being had last winter and forecast the excitement once the snow falls again.
Our hiking guide for the day was the local freeride legend, Henrik Windstedt.
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden with . Image © PlanetSKI
A four-time winner of the Freeride World Tour and one of Åre’s most renown modern-day sons.
“There are some fabulous trails here in Åre whether you want a hike of a couple of hours or a embark on a multi- day trip where you can stay in cabins or simply camp wild,” said Henrik as we plodded along.
“You can drink freely from the mountain stream where will taste the freshest water and drink in the cool and clean mountain air.”
Summer hiking in Åre offers everything from quick, accessible family strolls to challenging alpine peak ascents.
You can start directly from Are Square or use local lifts to reach higher elevations, finishing the day with incredible dining and cozy mountain lodges.
Top summer hiking trails in and around Åre cater to every experience level:
- Ullådalen: Perfect for easy hiking and families. Features accessible trails, wooden walkways, and a classic waffle stop at Lillastugan.
- Totthummeln: A shorter but somewhat strenuous loop right above the village. It provides excellent views of the Åre valley and a nice vantage point of Mt. Åreskutan.
- Åreskutan Summit: The ultimate challenge. You can hike to the peak from the village, Sadeln, or Ullådalen. To save your legs, you can choose to take the lift in one or both directions.
- Fröå Gruva (Fröå Mine): A peaceful historical area that offers shorter hikes with great lake views. You can treat yourself to coffee at the Bergstugan Café.
- Blanktjärn in Vålådalen: A 40-minute drive from Åre, featuring a stunning hike through the forest and across wooden walkways to a crystal-clear, turquoise lake perfect for a summer swim.
Walking in the mountains in the summer with its ever-changing weather requires good clothing and equipment.
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And in case you are wondering the summit is called Totthummeln and sits at 828m.
Moments after recording the video the clouds lifted (obviously).
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Now, don’t get me wrong I prefer to ski on slopes rather than hike them, but hiking in ski resorts has a special place for me and I do it more and more each summer once the snow melts.
Åre is the largest ski resort in Scandinavia and has the biggest vertical drop – almost 900m.
It is one of only two resorts to have a cable car (always a sign of decent vertical), with the other being Voss in Norway.
In total Åre has 42 ski lifts and 89 slopes, with 890 meters vertical drop from top to bottom this equals a lot of skiing in Scandinavia’s largest ski resort.
Add to that two snowparks built together with Olympic medalist Jesper Tjäder, and downhill slopes built for World Championships, plus the legendary off piste skiing and snowboarding.
“As well as the size of the ski area we have variety from gentle slopes, good tree runs and then the freeride terrain,” said Henrik.
“Unlike most resorts in Scandinavia it has a high-altitude zone and a lower altitude area where the snow and skiing is distinctly different.”
Åre piste map. Image c/o Skistar.
Åre is home to the Scandinavian clothing brand Peak Performance that is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
In the next blog post from Åre I go behind the scenes of the company to trace it roots from its humble beginnings in a single shop in Åre in 1986, to its position today as one of the leading global snowsport clothing brands.
I’ll be examining how it achieved its position and the challenges it faces in a highly competitive field.
PlanetSKI and a selected handful of writers from North America and Europe also get an early look at what is on offer for the 2026/27 season.
Peak Performance new winter collection, Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI.
Peak Performance new winter collection, Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI.
Peak Performance new winter collection, Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI.
Full details of the collection will be unveiled in October, but suffice to say, it is looking pretty exciting.
Interestingly the fastest growing category of cloths for Peak Performance is not its winter clothing, but summer outdoor wear as more and more people head out hiking.
“Hiking gear is seeing our biggest growth and has enormous potential as more people embrace the outdoors in the summer,” said the regional area manager for Scandinavia & the UK, Sebastian Saksson, as we chatted at the Peak Performance store in Åre.
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden with . Image © PlanetSKI
Oh, and if you are still wondering what the answer is to that question I am asked the most “What is your favourite ski resort?” then the answer is simple.
Zermatt in Switzerland.
One of the original founders of Peak Performance, Stefan Engstrom, also has a favourite resort in the Alps and he now lives there year-round having sold the business to Amer Sports.
It’s Zermatt.
Clearly a man of discerning taste, and I look forward to returning to his home resort of Åre in the winter months to experience the skiing and report back on what it offers with snow on the ground.
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
And if you fancy feasting your eyes on a few more images…
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
Summer hiking in Åre, Sweden. Image © PlanetSKI
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