Åre

Åre (pronounced ore-eh) is a locality and one of the leading Scandinavian ski resorts situated in Åre Municipality, Jämtland County, Sweden with 1,260 inhabitants in 2005. It is however, not the seat of the municipality, which is Järpen. 25% of the municipal industry is based on tourism, most notably the downhill skiing and biking resorts in Åre and Storlien. In the wake of it have grown hotel-facilities with recreational and shopping opportuniti... more

Åre (pronounced ore-eh) is a locality and one of the leading Scandinavian ski resorts situated in Åre Municipality, Jämtland County, Sweden with 1,260 inhabitants in 2005. It is however, not the seat of the municipality, which is Järpen. 25% of the municipal industry is based on tourism, most notably the downhill skiing and biking resorts in Åre and Storlien. In the wake of it have grown hotel-facilities with recreational and shopping opportunities. For more than 1000 years people have lived in the foothills of Mount Åre. 1000 years ago Åre's surrounding areas were inhabited by Vikings and Sami people. This can be seen in the names of the nearby villages, like Fröå and Ullå which descend from names of two Norse gods. About 900 years ago in the 12th century the church of Åre was built and people had to convert from their old beliefs. Saint Olaf the Holy is a historical figure who has influenced the village and for centuries pilgrims passed through the village on their way to Trondheim.... less