Planes, trains and snowmobiles...

Tonight I am a has-bean. I have just returned from Åre, Sweden and would very much like to go back. Åre is an unusual ski resort. Impressive comes to mind. The mountains rise up out of the frozen lake, which is technically a river. And as our taxi driver Tommy explained (by taking both hands off the steering wheel, putting them to the side of his head and bellowing), there are a lot of moose. With only 1,000 permanent residences in Åre, they very much welcome tourists. And as they all speak very good English you don't feel like an outsider. As well as skiing the slopes, we went snowmobiling. Snowmobiles to Swedes are like bikes to the Brits; everyone seems to own one. Luckily no one was injured on the ride, despite one couple colliding with a tree, and another ploughing into a snow-drift. The same can not be said of the snowmobiles. One thing I would say is if you are not a fan of T-bars, then perhaps Åre is not for you. Then again, I can't stand them and I still managed to have a wonderful time.