Scandi skiing is cheap and chic
CANNY Brits have been Scandi skiing for years. Indeed, Are, Sweden’s largest ski area, saw a 30 per cent increase in visits last year, thanks to its snow-sure reputation and the way it caters for childen.
We stay at the ski-in, ski-out Copperhill Mountain Lodge, high up on the perimeter of the ski area. Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic has just built a chalet next door.
There’s a free children’s buffet every evening, complimentary kids club from 4–7pm, and access all areas for families to the pool and spa between 3–5pm — as well as table tennis, pool tables, indoor football and PlayStations in the rooms.
Our family room is clever, with a small bunk room for our two children, Maisie, seven, and Imogen, five.
There is a perception that Sweden is expensive but we find that mountain restaurants (from £40 for lunch for a family of four), ski school (£100 per child for 1.5hrs Mon–Fri group lessons), and ski passes (£180 for a 6-day adult lift pass) are more reasonable than in France.
Children under eight ski for free, all of the excellent instructors are fluently bilingual, there are two large beginner areas and wonderful, tree-lined blue and red runs. By the end of the week Maisie and Imogen are following trails through the trees in delight.
Children don’t want to ski all day, and this is where Are comes into its own. One afternoon we take a snowmobile to the back of the mountain, stopping at an old cabin where our guide cooks fresh waffles over an open fire. On another day, we go to Are Karemeller, a bijou bonbon atelier to handmake our own candy.
And don’t miss Buustamon, a restaurant which picks you up in an ex-military snowcat ‘tank’ and drives into the forest for a slap-up feast; it’s stylish, friendly and great fun. A little like Are itself.