Åre Östersund Airport sits on the island of Frösön in Lake Storsjön, operating as the primary aviation gateway for Sweden’s Jämtland region. Originally established in 1926 as a military airbase for the Swedish Air Force, the facility opened to civil aviation in 1958 and has since evolved to support both domestic commuters and international winter sports traffic. Swedavia manages the airport, which handled 239,000 passengers in 2024. For skiers, it is the closest commercial runway to Åre, the largest alpine resort in Sweden, as well as the surrounding resorts of Vemdalen and the broader Scandinavian Mountains. The airport infrastructure includes a single 2,500-metre runway capable of handling standard narrow-body jets like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. Despite its relatively low total passenger volume compared to major European hubs, the airport experiences significant seasonal spikes during the Swedish winter, demanding efficient turnaround times for winter sports equipment. The airport’s name was officially changed in 2006 to include “Åre” to reflect its primary role as a ski destination hub.
Geography and layout
Åre Östersund Airport is situated entirely within Sweden, specifically in the central province of Jämtland. The airport occupies land on Frösön, an island located in Storsjön, the fifth-largest lake in the country. The island connects to the mainland municipality of Östersund via road bridges, creating a straightforward geographical link to the regional road network. The European route E14 runs through the adjacent city of Östersund, providing the primary road corridor westward towards the ski resorts of Åredalen and onward into Norway.
The single 2,500-metre asphalt runway (12/30) aligns to handle prevailing wind patterns over the lake. Because the airport sits at an elevation of 376 metres (1,233 ft), winter operations require robust snow-clearing capabilities. Swedavia maintains specialised heavy equipment to keep the runway clear during heavy Jämtland snowfalls, allowing flights to operate reliably throughout the ski season. In an unusual piece of aviation history, the airport grounds temporarily hosted the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship (STCC) in 2012 and 2013, with races running on a specially constructed 1.9-kilometre circuit adjacent to the active aviation areas.
Terminals and passenger flow
The airport operates a single, compact passenger terminal that manages both domestic and international flights. The layout keeps all necessary zones within walking distance, which prevents the long transfer times common at larger international hubs. Check-in desks, security screening, and the departure lounge occupy the same contiguous space.
During the peak ski season, passenger traffic increases significantly as charter flights arrive from the United Kingdom and northern Europe. The single terminal can feel cramped when two full narrow-body jets arrive within ten minutes of each other, but the queues generally move quickly. Swedavia recommends arriving 1.5 to 2 hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights. The terminal opens 1.5 hours before the first scheduled departure of the day and locks its doors 30 minutes after the final arrival.
Zone
Location
Notes
Check-in
Main concourse
Shared desks for all airlines
Security
Central area
Fast-track not normally required
Arrivals
Ground floor
Dedicated oversize belt for skis
Departures
Airside
Combined domestic and international gate area
Winter airlines and connectivity
While domestic routes to Stockholm form the baseline of operations year-round, the winter schedule introduces international routes designed specifically for the ski market. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and Braathens Regional Airlines (BRA) maintain regular connections to Stockholm Arlanda and Stockholm Bromma.
During the winter months, airlines such as easyJet, Transavia, and Croatia Airlines have historically operated seasonal routes or charters from cities like London Gatwick, Amsterdam, and Split. The traffic mix shifts heavily toward international arrivals between December and April to align with the Swedish ski season.
Distribution
Domestic
440995
International
32633
Historical data from 2019 shows the strong domestic baseline, though international traffic drives the concentrated winter peak days.
Into Östersund city
For visitors heading into the regional capital rather than directly to the mountains, Östersund city centre sits approximately 11 kilometres from the terminal. The local transport company, Stadsbussarna, operates regular airport coaches that connect the terminal to the central train station and downtown area. The journey across the Frösö bridge into Östersund takes around 10 minutes in normal traffic.
From Östersund Central Station, passengers can access the Mittbanan railway operated by Norrtåg, which runs westward through Åre and across the border to Trondheim in Norway. The city connection operates as a practical alternative for travellers who prefer to reach the ski resorts by regional rail rather than road transport.
Baggage, skis and special items
Given its status as the primary gateway to Åre, the airport handles a disproportionate volume of oversized baggage. The arrivals hall features a dedicated belt for ski bags and snowboards, entirely separate from the standard luggage carousels. If you are flying in with skis, expect to wait slightly longer at this oversize belt than passengers waiting for standard suitcases.
Departing passengers must register their ski equipment at the standard check-in desks before physically carrying the bags to the oversized drop-off point. Because narrow-body aircraft operate most routes into the airport, cargo hold space remains strictly limited. Airlines require passengers to pre-book ski carriage well in advance, as unbooked equipment may be refused at the desk if the hold has already reached its weight or volume capacity. Passengers travelling with avalanche safety backpacks must declare the compressed gas cartridges at check-in, adhering strictly to airline regulations regarding secure transport.
Parking and airside facilities
The airport grounds include both short-stay and long-stay car parks situated directly outside the terminal building. The proximity means passengers can walk from their vehicles to the check-in desks in a matter of minutes, completely avoiding the need for shuttle buses.
Inside the terminal, facilities are pragmatic and functional. Airside amenities include a café and a duty-free shop available for international passengers. The food and beverage options cater to quick turnarounds rather than extended layovers, offering basic refreshments rather than full dining experiences. A small seating area provides runway views while passengers wait for boarding calls. It is an airport built for purpose, designed to move people from the runway to the resort rather than to keep them lingering in the terminal.
Alpine destinations within reach
Åre Östersund Airport provides immediate access to several major ski areas in central Sweden. The road network from Frösön leads directly onto the E14 highway for resorts in the Åre valley, or southwards via the E45 for the Vemdalen ski area.
Typical road time ranges in clear traffic: Åre ~1–1½ hr, Vemdalen ~1½–2 hr.
Deadline: February 13th
Winner Announcement: February 14th
