Åre | Östersund

Östersund is a residential town in the province of Jämtland. The town was founded in 1786 and was named after its situation east of the strait leading to the island of Frösön. What strikes the visitor most of all is the beautiful location of the town on the shores of Storsjön with the mountains in the horizon.

Östersund and Frösön, right in the heart of Jämtland, offer all the possibilities for having a wonderful time, “en artun da” as they say in the local dialect. The town hall is one of the magnificent buildings forming the town’s skyline and the shores holds the town’s business thoroughfare with an abundance of fine shops, cafés and restaurants for those who want to have a meal or just a cup of coffee. For those who want an experience big or small, quiet or more adventurous, you are warmly welcome to Östersund.

ACTIVITIES

Östersund is a town where many things are within walking distance. For those who do not want to walk or perhaps want to see a little more of the town, bicycles can be hired at the Tourist Information Office. Another means of transport is a trip on S/S Thomée, Sweden’s oldest steamship in regular traffic, on the lake Storsjön. For those who are fortunate, perhaps they will see the Storsjö Monster from the boat. For those that like bathing but think that Storsjön’s water is too cold, a visit to the newly rebuilt and reopened Storsjö Baths where there are water slides, a water racetrack, a scenic bath for children, a gymnasium and an entirely new section for relaxation is recommended. The Storsjö Baths offers all the opportunities to experience wild adventure or peaceful relaxation. Another adventure baths is Lövstabadet which offers tempered pools, water slides and lots of water games. There is also Adventure House Multi Challenge with Boda Borg, a climbing wall, an amusement arcade, a go-cart laser hall and many other activities all under one and the same roof.

Frösund, a gem in Östersund with lots to experience.

Frösund has lots to offer. From Frösö Tower you can get a good survey and wonderful view of a major part of Jämtland. Many choose to visit Frösö Church, one of Sweden’s most popular churches to get married in. By all means, combine the visit to Frösö Church with a nice cup of coffee or tea at the captain’s old house `Stocke Titt´. The nearby Sommarhagen was the composer Wilheim Petterson Beger’s home. Skilful guides now show the house to visitors and many are fascinated by its architecture. For those who are fond of adventure both young and old, there is excitement and challenge at Frösöberget’s Adventure Course. There are plenty of high level adventures but also adventures from the fairy tale world for the little ones. Frösön is also the home of Jämtland’s most frequently visited tourist attraction, Frösö zoo, with lots of animals, a tropical house, a museum, an amusement park and circus performances.

CULTURE

There is a newly opened art gallery `The Paint Factory´ in Östersund. The Paint Factory (also to be found in Stockholm) holds lectures and exhibitions. The aim is to create not only an art gallery but also a contemporary laboratory. For those who enjoy theatre, the Viking drama Arnljotspelen is performed annually on the open-air stage with its view of Storsjön and Oviksfjällen.

Storsjöyran is two wonderful festivals in one. The festival dates back to the 1960’s and is Sweden’s biggest music festival located in a town centre. Throughout the years the festival has developed so that is also offers “Yrveckan”. During this week there are lots of fringe activities: street artists, a restaurant thoroughfare, theatre exhibitions, films and much more. Contact the Tourist Information Office for more information about what there is to be seen and done when you visit Östersund.

WORTH SEEING

At Jämtli Museum, history is made alive in a way that makes people of all ages feel at home and enjoy themselves during their visit. In the extensive open air area, you can visit farm buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Actors in the buildings, at the petrol station from 1956 and at the market place, livingly portray life from times long past. People gladly talk about what they do and what they think about things today. For those who wish, there is a `walk through time´ visiting farm buildings and other parts of the area. A visit to the museum is also a must. The Geo House in Ånsta and the Lockne Crater make it possible, in a mini cosmo nova, to experience what it was like when the meteorite landed 455 million years ago. There are also exhibitions and a café. If you would like to pat a living elk, visit the Elk Garden at Orrviken just outside of the town.

WINTER TOWN

Östersund is a real winter town with a beautiful view over Storsjön’s ice and the majestic mountains. It offer numerous winter activities such as skiing, snow scooter excursions, dog-sleigh rides and winter riding. Two hundred metres from the town centre you can go long- distance ice skating on prepared tracks, take it easy with a cup of coffee at the “snöplayan” or grill a hotdog on one of the bonfires. For those who want both hot and cold, it is possible to bathe in the wood-heated bath tubs combined with a dip in the lake through a hole in the ice.