The Family's Next Adventure
After our days at Fulufjället, with wet shoes, aching shoulders and thunder over the mountain ridge, it was time for something completely different. We steered the car north towards Åre, tired but happy, with the tent still damp from the night's rain. After a night in the car and a late breakfast in the hotel room, it was time to switch from wilderness life to a cosy mountain village – and maybe a bit of luxury. Because if one thing was certain, it was that we'd earned a real adventure in Åre.
Want to piece together the whole mountain trip, from planning to experiences? We've gathered more stops and stories in our adventures and additional tips for travelling in Sweden in our guide to holiday in Sweden.
Staying right in the village – Parkvillan
We checked into Parkvillan – a charming hotel right in central Åre, within walking distance of the train station, the square and Lake Åresjön. Perfect for families with children who want to be able to walk to everything.
There was something special about setting aside our hiking boots and smelling clean sheets again. We hung up backpacks and rain-soaked clothes to dry, put on coffee and let our bodies sink into the bed. It became our base for the days ahead – close to swimming, cycling and food.
Swimming, sauna and shenanigans – Holiday Club Åre
The next day we went to Holiday Club Åre. After days of mosquitoes, fog and mountain winds, the thought of a spa felt like an absolute dream. But reality was... a bit mixed.
Not all the saunas were open, some tiles were broken, and the light indicator on the slide wasn't working. It felt a little like the summer season had taken a back seat to winter's ski tourists. But that mattered less – Leo loved it.
And if there's one big plus to give Holiday Club, it's their changing rooms. Women on one side, men on the other, and in the middle a shared family section with its own cubicles. For families with young children it was a huge hit – practical, safe and well thought out.
When the heat became too much – Rosita's heatstroke
After the swim, food awaited at Restaurant Broken – a classic in Åre with a cosy pub feel and generous portions.
But the heat that day was brutal. The sun was blazing, the air stood still, and Rosita, still worn out from the mountain hike, started to feel unwell. Dehydration and sun-baked walls turned into a dangerous combination.
In the middle of lunch she nearly fainted, and someone called for an ambulance. The panic was total, but after water, rest and shade it luckily passed. It turned into a couple of hours' recovery in the hotel room – and a reminder that the mountain sun can be every bit as tough as the mountain wind.
We also took away an important lesson: mountain trips require more planning than you'd think, especially with kids. For our next trip we started from our advice on tips for a successful family holiday and made the packing easier with a clear packing list for tent camping.
Leo tries Åre Bike Park
The next day it was time for something Leo had been longing for – cycling at Åre Bike Park.
The slopes were full of both children and adults, and Leo was eager to try. At first a bit carefully, but soon he was rolling along with more and more speed, sliding around corners and nearly leaving the ground a couple of times.
As a parent it's always a balancing act – between worry and pride – but here, in the middle of the mountains, there was only joy. We watched him grow with every turn.
For anyone who wants to try downhill biking with kids, we really recommend Åre Bike Park – here there are trails for every level and staff who are happy to help beginners.
Ristafallet – A fairy-tale finale
Before leaving Åre we wanted to see one of Sweden's most iconic waterfalls – Ristafallet.
This is where the scenes from Ronja the Robber's Daughter were filmed, and you can tell. The waterfall thunders down with enormous force, and the mist settles like a fairy-tale shimmer over the forest.
Leo stood completely still for a moment, then burst out: "Wow, what a waterfall!" – which probably summed up our feelings perfectly.
For us this was also a reminder of how much the mountains have to offer even in summer. If you want to build a similar trip with more stops and trails, start with our collected guide to mountain hiking in Sweden – the most beautiful trails.
A finale in Jämtland – family, coffee and farewells
Before heading on to our next stop on the summer trip, we had time to visit my grandmother – Leo's great-grandmother. A dear reunion in the middle of all the travel days and adventures.
There was coffee, laughter and old memories before we packed up again. Next destination: Mulle Meck in Hudiksvall.
Our best tips for a successful Åre holiday with kids
- Stay central: Parkvillan is perfect for families with children, within walking distance of everything.
- Spa & swimming: Holiday Club Åre – especially fun for younger children.
- Food: Broken Åre – good food in a relaxed setting, but avoid the hottest sun.
- Cycling: Åre Bike Park – a child-friendly, adrenaline-filled adventure.
- Nature experience: Visit Ristafallet – a must for anyone who loves Swedish nature and film history.
Discover more: If you want to plan your days smartly and find the right places to eat, activities and evening hangouts in the village – read our the ultimate guide to food & fun in Åre.
Related guides for family vacations
Planning a summer trip to the mountains with the family? Here we've gathered guides and our own experiences to help you plan, pack and get more out of your stay – whether you're hiking, camping, taking the lift, or exploring the mountains together with kids.
Planning & preparation
Our own mountain adventures & experiences
More family-friendly outings
Gallery
A small selection of pictures from our visit to Åre, Björnen and Ristafallet.
Directions to Holiday Club Åre
Finding your way here is easy. Use the map to see the exact location and get directions straight from where you are now.
We recommend using Google Maps or another map service for the current route, travel time and any traffic updates.
Åre - Björnen
Ristafallet
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See the whole adventure!
From mountain storm to mountain spa! We check into Parkvillan, try out Holiday Club, Leo rides downhill at Åre Bike Park and Rosita gets heatstroke at Broken. An adventure full of contrasts – from swimming to waterfalls.
See All The Episodes From Summer 2025
From the cold mine shafts of Falu Koppargruva to warm adventure days at Furuviksparken. Leksand Sommarland wasn't the only time we ran into thunder during our road trip! When we climbed Fulufjället we had to flee back down when we ran into yet another thunderstorm.
Click the image to go to the playlist
100 Swedish Hiking Trails!
Looking for the perfect hiking trail? We've gathered 100 of Sweden's most interesting, challenging, and scenic hiking trails in one list!
Did our adventure sound exciting? Then you simply have to see this!
Can you fit in everything Furuviksparken has to offer in one day? We're going to try, at least! We also visit a military bunker and go swimming. This turned into a successful holiday stop you simply can't miss!
Watch The Full Episode On YouTube → Read about the visit here... →
