When it was decided to give the 1954 year’s F.I.S Alpine World Championship to Åre and Sweden. Heavy investment once again took place on the mountain.
Since before there was the old mountain railway built in 1910 and a T-bar on a field down in the village. Suddenly, there was a chairlift and two open gondolas being built at the same time. This to serve skiers coming in from around the world aiming for the world slalom title.
Halfway up the mountain, on top of the last gondola, Hummelstugan was placed like an eagle’s nest. Looking down on the lake 500 vertical meters below. Since then, this fabulous establishment has served skiers with food and drinks.
I would lie if I didn’t say this is a personal favorite among favorites when it comes to on-slope restaurants. Ever since I was a kid, I have entered its doors, claiming a spot at this one of a kind phenomenon. Today, this restaurant is owned by the two brothers, Fredrik and Klas Wersén.
Once seated, you sit for hours!
The weather in Åre is changeable, as in every mountain. Not every day is sunny and calm. It can suddenly change. But if you are lucky to hit a good one, you can be seated in the sun the whole afternoon. In those days, you will not only admire the special Scandinavian Mountain View, allowing you to see for miles and miles in any direction.
There is another spectacle going on as well. Åre is a prime spot for paragliding and the pilots pass by only a few meters from the balcony. They are putting on a spectacular show.
Take it easy going down
After a couple of hours with good friends at the table, it’s time to go down. If you are the last one leaving this old lady’s front door, there might not be any other option to go down than to ski down, as the sun has already set and the lifts are all closed.
There are more than one reason to take it slow. When the lifts are closed, the whole mountain turns into a working place for the ski patrol and groomers preparing the slopes for the next day. Even if the skiing is over for the day, the party might not be. Åre is well-known for its vibrant after-ski. On your journey down to the village, there are a few stops on the way for the party animal in you.
Dining above the clouds
In their younger years, the two brothers were potent mogul skiers. Especially Klas, who competed in the World Cup and holds a handful of Swedish championships.
Anyway, the story is that the slope coming down from Hummeln was the melting pot of the Scandinavian mogul scene in the 70s and 80s. That’s when the two brothers grew up. Fredrik started early a career in the restaurant business and Klas took his chance in the ski industry by owning the S.O.S brand (Sportswear of Sweden).
After a while; in year 1999, both the brothers teamed up and bought a restaurant down in the town square. Since then, Werséns is the natural gathering point for locals as well as skiers around the world. A few years later, they got the opportunity to take over Hummelstugan, which they have been refining ever since.
If you go here in the rush hour, make sure you are not starving. There will be a long waiting list for a table, but no worries. The bar is spacious but crowded, and you will have time to down a couple of thirst quenchers and a snack while waiting to be seated.
On sunny, calm days you can enjoy their huge balcony, serving drinks and fast food, which is nice. But a three-course lunch with good friends is the deal to go for because there are not many places like this around.
Celebrating this grand old lady on her 70s birthday
So, when in Åre you need to do yourself the service and visit this establishment. Soak in the atmosphere, sending a thought to the past and the skiers back in time who initiated her origin. And of course, enjoy their food and drinks.
