Right now the Alpine World Cup in Åre 2019 is underway, and we have been following the world championship for a few days. What an experience! We've seen enormously talented skiers, partied in the Austrian house "Tirolberg" and happened to be travelling with the King and Queen. Among other things.
Table of contents
Alpine World Cup in Åre 2019
The 2019 Alpine Skiing World Championships will be held in Åre from 5-17 February, as decided during the vote at the FIS Congress in Barcelona on 5 June 2014. The World Championships will bring together world stars, ski enthusiasts and journalists from a total of 72 countries, not least from major skiing countries such as Norway, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, the USA and Canada. Åre is of course alive and well, and everywhere you look there are officials, flags and pit stops with food and coffee. You can read more at Åre2019.
A 'royal' journey
"Peter flew up to Åre on the Thursday and I, Helena, only flew on the Friday as I was working on the Thursday. It was a bit sad not to be able to travel together, but on the other hand I got to fly with The King and Queen.
When I boarded the plane, the first few rows were empty, and it was only when the cabin crew said "Your Majesties, ladies and gentlemen, welcome on this flight to Östersund and Åre" that we realised who had boarded the first few rows ...
We visited Åre in co-operation with Austria
We visited the 2019 Åre World Cup in cooperation with the Austrian Tourist Office, and four different destinations in Tyrol: Arlberg (St Anton), Zillertal, Ischgl and Ötztal (Sölden). Why did we travel to Åre in cooperation with Austria? Well, Austria wanted to showcase itself in connection with its favourite sport.
They built a big temporary house in the centre of Åre called "Tirolberg" and gathered Austrian tourist office people and skiers as well as Swedish bloggers, journalists and travel agents. We'll tell you more about the crazy Tirolberg party house soon!
Women's downhill at the 2019 World Cup
Peter watched the women's downhill, where Ilka Štuhec from Slovenia came first and Corinne Suter from Switzerland came second. The funny thing was that we got to meet both of them in "Tirolberg" in the evening. Fantastic skiers!
Men's downhill at the 2019 World Cup
We watched the men's downhill race together. It was both foggy and snowy at the top when we arrived, and the start time was repeatedly postponed for the safety of the riders. We thought that there might not be a race, but the crowd still kept a good atmosphere in the stands.
The presenters also tried to keep the mood up, with cheerful shouts between periods of music and other entertainment. There were more and more grey and snowy, and just when we thought it was over, they announced that the race would start in ... ten minutes! Everyone was soooo excited!
Over 60 downhill skiers took part in the race, and the best ones had the first start times. You could follow them on large TV screens before they suddenly appeared on the hill. What speeds!
It went really well for the Norwegians in this race. Kjetil Jansrud took first place and Aksel Lund Svindal took second place. In third place was the Austrian Vincent Kriechmayr. Guess who we met in "Tirolberg" in the evening? Well, Vincent Kriechmayr of course!
Great to visit the World Cup in Åre!
Neither one of us is an avid skier, but despite this, we have to say that it was really fun to visit the 2019 World Championships in Åre. A world championship is a world championship, and it is really fascinating to see the skilful (and fast!!!) skiers. Of course, Åre also comes alive, and it is fun to be part of the festivities and the great atmosphere.
As well as watching races, we've partied with Austrians in the "Tirolberg", tried a really luxurious spa and hung out with a local guide in Östersund. We'll tell you more soon!
Have you perhaps also been to the Alpine World Cup in Åre, or have you been to Åre in some other context?
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
Early 70's I was partying, dancing in Åre. Then several times there with the family. But have never been something for skiing in steep slopes.
Kam understands that the village of Åre was bustling with activity.
12 February 2019 - 9:07
Helena says:
Nice that you have been several times in Åre! 🙂
12 February 2019 - 19:54
Ama de casa says:
Cool with a royal escort up to Åre ðŸ™'
Fun to follow the competitions and party around with happy Austrians 🙂 ðŸ™'
I have skied in Åre (and also in the four Tyrolean destinations) but there has been no championship going on. Too bad. I probably would have won... 😀.
12 February 2019 - 10:01
Helena says:
Haha, too bad you didn't get the chance to show what you can do in the competitions 🙂 .
12 February 2019 - 19:55
Ditte says:
What an experience! Here we watched on television. But that is not at all the same as being there. You had a lot of fun too. I am a skier, or rather have been, I have been to Åre many times and always stayed "in the middle of the slopes".
It's nice to have royal company too.
12 February 2019 - 12:48
Helena says:
Fun to be in place! I was keen to go skiing, but time was a bit limited and I didn't want to rush 😉.
12 February 2019 - 19:57
Beinspiredtravel.com says:
Hi Peter and Helena, how fun it was to join you on the trip - Åre always delivers. I myself had wonderful skiing days and many interesting conversations with everyone from Tyrol. regards
12 February 2019 - 16:06
Helena says:
Hi Elisabet! What fun that you write! Very nice to meet! Hope to see you in other contexts soon in the future! 🙂
12 February 2019 - 20:00
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
What a great experience you had! Even if you are not an athlete yourself, you can't help but admire these talented athletes.
I tried to photograph Kalla with my mobile phone at Slottssprinten in Stockholm a few years ago. The card went blank, it was too fast.
I have only been to Åre in the summer and many years ago I climbed to the top of Åreskutan.
12 February 2019 - 16:28
Helena says:
You can't help but be impressed by the skiers! And haha, blank photo? She must have been very fast 😉 .
12 February 2019 - 20:02
Matts Torebring says:
Åre is really nice. I travelled there a few years ago, just to drive "Chocken". Then it had rained for a week before, and when we got there it was minus 10 degrees. In other words, pure ice street. Matts stayed at the top!
12 February 2019 - 18:15
Helena says:
Wow, the shock sounds a bit too tough to me!!! If it's ice ... downright dangerous, Huh! 😉
12 February 2019 - 20:03
BP says:
Travelling with the King and Queen - wow! Oh, you didn't ask if you could take a photo of the royal couple for Sweden's biggest travel blog ???????? I would have done that, of course;-)
See that you came very close to the winners with great pictures as well. Can't help but laugh a bit here though. If it had been the World Cup in any other country, except Sweden then, there would have been not only food and coffee but glühwein, beer, wine and various schnapps as well;-).
12 February 2019 - 21:10
Helena says:
Haha, no there was no selfie with the royal couple ... 😉 But still fun that they were on the plane, or that I was on the same plane as them, or how to see it now 😉 And yes, you are probably right! Indoors, of course, there were both drinks and beer, but out on the street it felt more Swedish with coffee or hot dogs ... 😉.
13 February 2019 - 7:49
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
What a great adventure trip! Seems to have been full speed! We sat at home and watched when Ingemar Stenmark left on Tuesday. Otherwise, the husband can sometimes watch sports, I myself take the opportunity to sew. 😉
13 February 2019 - 18:24
Helena says:
Very fun trip! Although I'm not really interested in sports either ... But I like to ski, and the World Cup is kind of ... World Cup 😉 .
13 February 2019 - 18:50
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
Absolutely right! And nice flying company does not make it worse! ,)
13 February 2019 - 22:29
Lena - good for the soul says:
Hm, maybe not the World Cup. I think it was probably a world coup we were on when I was a child. Actually remember the atmosphere.
Hug Lena
13 February 2019 - 20:49
Helena says:
Doesn't sound wrong either! Lovely to take part in the atmosphere 🙂 🙂 .
14 February 2019 - 7:16