Our week in Sweden with three children aged 2, 6 and 8
In March, my family and I spent a wonderful week in Åre, Sweden, and it completely won us over as a family ski destination. We travelled with our three children, aged 2, 6 and 8, and found it to be one of those rare places that genuinely works for everyone, from tiny beginners taking their first turns on snow to older children wanting independence and adventure, and of course parents looking for a more relaxed, stylish ski holiday.
If you are looking for a family-friendly alternative to the Alps, especially for clients who appreciate comfort, space and a touch of luxury, Åre is such a strong option.
What really stood out to us was how easy everything felt. The skiing was excellent, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and unlike many of the more famous Alpine resorts, there were no long queues, no sense of stress, and no battling through crowds. Instead, Åre offered beautiful snowy scenery, great snow conditions, plenty of variety, and a charming village that was a pleasure to explore.
A resort that really works for families
Travelling with children of different ages can be a challenge on a ski holiday, but Åre handled it brilliantly.
Our two older children spent the week in ski school and absolutely loved it. Their instructor was warm, friendly and engaging, and made them feel comfortable from the start. They enjoyed exploring the mountain, building confidence on skis, and having that sense of independence that children love. Åre felt especially good for beginners and early intermediates, it is a place where children can really progress without feeling overwhelmed.
For our youngest, aged 2, it was also a lovely introduction to skiing. He is only just starting, so for us it was important that the resort felt fun rather than intimidating. There were gentle slopes, a very child-friendly atmosphere, and lots to keep little ones entertained, from characters on the slopes to singalongs and playful touches that made skiing feel magical. It is exactly the kind of resort where children can fall in love with the mountains early.
That balance is something Åre does very well: it is practical and easy, but still feels special.
Staying at Copperhill Mountain Lodge
We stayed at Copperhill Mountain Lodge, and it was a fantastic base for our week. For families wanting more than a standard ski hotel, Copperhill feels like a real step up. It has a
polished, luxurious feel, but still manages to be relaxed and family-friendly, which is not always easy to find.
We stayed in a two-bedroom apartment within the hotel, which worked very well for us as a family. Having that extra space made such a difference, especially with younger children. It gave us room to spread out, settle in properly and enjoy a slower pace in between skiing.
During our stay, I also visited some of the other room types, as well as the beautiful large villa, and that was a real highlight from a product point of view. The villa is absolutely stunning and would be an amazing option for guests wanting something more exclusive, particularly multi-generational families, groups of friends travelling together, or high-end clients looking for privacy and space without losing access to the hotel’s facilities and services.
Copperhill is one of those places that manages to appeal equally to adults and children. The design is stylish and inviting, with a warm mountain-lodge atmosphere, but it is also very well set up for families. One of our favourite parts of the stay was the spa. The spa is open to children at certain times of day, so we made a habit of going every morning before skiing. It became such a lovely part of the rhythm of the trip, peaceful for us as parents, exciting for the children, and a very luxurious way to start the day before heading out onto the slopes.
That mix of skiing and wellness is one of the reasons Copperhill works so well for luxury family travel. It offers the practical comforts families need, but with a much more elevated feel than many ski properties.
More than just skiing
Although skiing was the main reason for our trip, Åre also impressed us with the range of winter activities on offer in the area.
We visited local suppliers and explored some of the other experiences available in the area. One of the children’s absolute highlights was a quad-on-ice experience, something a little different, very exciting, and definitely memorable. It was one of those activities they talked about again and again afterwards (and asked us to buy one for home more than once!).
Åre also offers plenty of other winter adventures, which make it especially attractive for families or groups who want to mix skiing with broader Nordic experiences. Options include ice fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and northern lights excursions when the aurora is strong. That variety adds so much to the destination. It means a trip to Åre can be more than just a ski week, it can become a full winter experience.
This is particularly appealing for international guests who may want to combine skiing with the feeling of being in Scandinavian nature and culture, rather than simply staying within a ski bubble.
A village with charm
Another thing we loved about Åre was the village itself. It has some fantastic restaurants and lovely shops, and it is simply a nice place to wander around. That matters on a family holiday. It is not just about what happens on the mountain; it is also about whether the destination feels enjoyable in between skiing, and whether there is enough to do on slower afternoons or snowy evenings.
Åre has that easy charm. It feels stylish but not pretentious, lively but not overwhelming. You can ski during the day, enjoy the spa, then head into the village for a relaxed dinner and a browse through the shops. It gives the holiday a much more rounded feel.
Easy to combine with Norway
From a travel-planning perspective, Åre is also very interesting because of how easily it can be combined with Norway. Guests can fly into Trondheim and create a wider Scandinavian itinerary, or fly into Östersund and hire a car. Private transfers can also be arranged, making the journey straightforward and comfortable.
That flexibility makes Åre particularly appealing for bespoke Nordic itineraries. For clients who want a ski holiday that feels a little different, perhaps something more exclusive, less crowded and more original than the classic Alpine circuit. Åre has real potential.
Why we would recommend Åre
What we loved most about Åre was that it delivered on both the practical and emotional side of family travel. It was easy, welcoming and genuinely child-friendly, but it also felt beautiful, special and well-suited to guests looking for quality and comfort.
For families, it offers:
- excellent beginner-friendly skiing
- strong ski school options
- fun experiences for very young children
- minimal queues and a more relaxed pace
- wonderful winter activities beyond skiing
- a charming village with good restaurants and shops
And for luxury families in particular, Copperhill Mountain Lodge adds another layer, stylish accommodation, family-friendly apartments, standout larger options like the villa, and a spa that makes the whole stay feel indulgent as well as practical. Not to mention the excellent food!
For us, it was one of those trips that worked beautifully for all five of us, which is never a small thing with very young children.. We came away feeling that Åre is not only a great ski destination, but one of the best family winter destinations in the Nordics.
