(…or how to spend a spectacular June week with thermal hunting, waffles and midnight sun vibes)
Date & grounds
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When? June 27–28, 2025 (June 29 is a reserve day).
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Where? Åre – Sweden's mountain sports capital. Start from Åreskutan (1420 m above sea level) and finish down at Draklanda.
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What? The final of the 2025 Swedish Cup in paragliding, FAI category 2, open to both competitive foxes and rookies with built-in mentor support.
Why the competition should be included in your flight planning
| Reason | Fast pitch |
|---|---|
| Mountain magic | Åreskutan offers 1,000 fall-free vertical meters and starting points for all wind directions. |
| Newcomer friendly | The tasks are long enough so that even EN-B wings can reach the goal – mentors on the radio provide extra courage. |
| Eye candy | Glacial lakes, endless forest and almost 20 hours of daylight in late June. |
| Mini-UN in the air | 59 pilots from five countries have already registered (70 spots in total – jump on it!). |
A (thermal) day in Åre
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10:30 Morning briefing at the start – expect a fair amount of Swedish small talk and a QR code for today's course.
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12:00 The start window opens; the sky is filled with colorful nylon confetti.
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14:00 Last chance to start – don't delay, coffee is waiting.
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~18:00 Goal closes. High-fives, track logs and maybe a swim in Lake Åresjön.
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20:00 Debriefing + waffles at Sweden's highest situated cafe (yes, 1420 m above sea level).
Packing list for first-time travelers
| Pack | Therefore |
|---|---|
| Volandoo + Telegram | Mandatory for live tracking and retriever radio. |
| 2 m VHF radio (146.7625 MHz) | Local security channel. |
| Warm layer + thin gloves | Valley temperatures in June average just 13 °C – colder up in the air. |
| Filled with ski pass money… or leg muscles | The cable car saves your calves; hiking gives you extra waffle karma. |
Fun for ground crew & spectators
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🌊 Tännforsen – Sweden's largest waterfall, 20 min drive. Insta guarantee.
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🚵 Åre Bike Park – lift-borne flow directly under the screens.
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🧇 Hike to Toppstugan – reward = waffles among the clouds.
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🛶 SUP on Lake Åresjön under the midnight sun – the golden hour that never ends.
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🛍️ Stroll through the village – cafes, craft beer and legendary ice cream at Grädda.
How do you get here?
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Train: Night trains from Stockholm arrive at Åre station just in time for breakfast.
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Flight: Åre-Östersund Airport (OSD) + 1-hour shuttle.
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Once in the village: SkiStar lifts or classic hike & fly up to the start.
Last call
Whether you're chasing XC points, your first competitive finish, or just a reason to eat cinnamon-sugar waffles at high altitude, the Swedish Cup Åre 2025 is a summer micro-adventure gem. Pack your wing (or camera), book your train seat, and discover Sweden's mountain flying playground before the midnight sun hits snooze.
See you in the starting cylinder – just the right amount of lift and tailwind for everyone! 🇸🇪🪂
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