Sweden in December

[baggins]

Hi Folks,
My wife and i are going to Sweden in December, my little sister has decided that she wants to get married there. We are supposed to be staying in Are, the ski resort. What sort of temperatures do you think it gets down too there (all the google info is very vague)?
We've never been to Sweden before (and really looking forward to it), anything that anybody would reccomend as a must to try (neither of us are fussed about downhill skiing). We're hopefully moving to Canada next year, so this will be a good chance for swmbo to experience proper winter weather for the first time ( god, i hope she likes it).
Any info or advice would be very greatfully received.
Cheers
Baggins

 

[JimmyT]

Hej Baggins - as they say over here.

Do you mean Åre in Jämtland? I was nearby in Jarpen, Feb 2009 and it was a relatively warm -8C with a lot of snow about. I traveled around a bit in Sweden and Jämtland was the region that appealed to me most from a scenic point of view. I went to the Lundhags factory outlet in Jarpen and picked up some of their boots on the cheap.
Winter weather here in Sweden is as unpredictable as anywhere these days. I live further south in the Västra Götalands region and last Winter was the coldest and snowiest for over 40 years with temps down as far as -30C. Who knows what it will be this time around but the Summer is following a similar pattern to last year - pretty awful with lots of rain. Go for layers of wool clothing and two or three layers of socks in your boots. Windproof/waterproof shell, wool or possum merino hat and quality winter gloves. Back when I could afford it I bought the best Winter gear available and have not regretted it - you'll be needing it all in Canada I would think.
By the way, in addition to the Lundhags outlet there is the Ullfrotte factory shop in Östersund with excellent reductions on the best base layers I have tried so far.

 

[Viking]

Visit the chocolate factory and Lundhags both well worth the visit. Maybe a day trip around Storulvån as well, away from the hectic Åre and they rent out everything you need and have a really good food.

 

[forestwalker]

Pretty much what others have said. December could be fairly mild (around 0 C) or fairly cold (-20 C); it is often when winter really comes for real. Good boots, a warm hat and good mittens are the things you may miss. For mittens, buy locally, I'd suggest lovikka woollen mitts made locally and worn under a shell. There are fairly good warm everyday boots to be had locally fairly cheaply (e.g. the "P-original", costs about SEK 800 and is perhaps not a bushcrafting boot, but good for everyday use).

 

[gunnix]

Pay a visit to Trondheim in Norway as well, it's a beautiful city just 163km from Åre. It's easy to travel there by train (direct). I spent some days in Trondheim a couple of years ago, spending the night in a hilleberg tent on the hill with a splendid view over the city. We also just came from Sweden and it was fun to see the differences between both countries.

 

[JimmyT]

By chance I saw a tourist brochure on Åre at Skövde station today.
You should find all your questions answered at:

www.are360.com

Weather-wise many Swedes rely on the Norwegians (!) at yr.no Try:

http://www.yr.no/place/Sweden/Jämtland/Åre_Kommun/

 

[baggins]

Thanks guys,
some really usefull info there. Really can't wait to go.

Cheers

Baggins

 

[DavidJT]

Good tips above.
I was skiing there in Jan a few years ago and it was -25C. Dress appropriately!