When does the season start in Åre?

The season opening in Åre will be earlier than expected, December 4, 2025. VM8, Rödkullen and the Hamre lift in Duved will open on this date.

Many people wonder when the ski season in Åre actually begins. The resort is Sweden’s largest ski area and offers one of the country’s longest winter seasons. Normally, the season kicks off in mid-December, often around Lucia.
This is when the first lifts in the village open and skiing truly gets underway.
After that, the system gradually expands with more lifts and slopes leading up to New Year, when most of the resort is in operation. The exact dates vary from year to year, mainly due to weather conditions.

For the 2025/26 season, the lift opening dates are already scheduled. In Åre By, the lifts start operating on December 12 and stay open until May 3. The Gondola and Cable Car begin running on December 18 and continue until May 3. The same date December 18 applies to the lifts in Björnen as well as in Duved and Tegefjäll.
These areas close earlier in spring, Duved and Tegefjäll on April 12, and Björnen on April 19.
The high alpine zone on Åreskutan opens later on February 2 and operates until May 3. Together, these dates give a clear picture of how the different parts of the ski system open and close throughout the season.

The first days of the season are special for many visitors. The central lifts in Åre By open first and attract skiers eager to be the first on snow.
 During the opening weekend, the resort often hosts Ski Test Weekend, an event where guests can try out the latest skis on the slopes.

This weekend marks the unofficial start of winter activities in the village. In the beginning, the number of open slopes is limited, but more and more terrain becomes available each day. As Christmas approaches, both the village and the surrounding areas typically have enough open lifts to offer full ski operations.

Traveling to Åre in December offers a unique experience. The village streets are decorated with Christmas lights, and restaurants serve seasonal dishes as Christmas and New Year approach.
Skiing may be more limited early in the month, but the atmosphere usually makes up for it. As New Year nears, both the crowds in the slopes and the festive energy in the village increase, making December a month that begins calmly but ends with celebration.

Find out how long the season is: here