Åre, Sweden (Tuesday, May 11, 2004) - In the autumn of 2004, Holiday Club will open its giant hotel and "experience center" on lakeside Åre Strand. As one of Scandinavia’s foremost winter destinations, located in the western part of Jämtland County, Åre has a lot to offer a visitor looking for adventures and a genuine Nordic atmosphere – all year 'round.

With the opening this autumn of Holiday Club, Åre will become even more attractive as an all-year-round destination. The four-star experi-hotel will offer a spa section, a sports bar with bowling and indoor miniature golf, and an activities’ and conference center for up to 3,000 persons, all under one roof. Furthermore, a water world with no less than 11 adventure pools, a waterslide and the exotic Saunaworld will grace the property. All in a genuine design, decorated with natural stone, and enjoying splendid views over the lake and the mountains.

Holiday Club is a Finnish spa hotels group which operates six spa hotels in Finland and ten destinations with holiday apartments, two of which are located outside of Finland.

Åre is preparing to host the 2007 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. The small alpine town has a century-long history as tourist destination. Since the first ski lift was installed in the 1940s, Åre has grown to become one of Scandinavia’s finest ski resorts with no less than 100 slopes and marked trails. Today, the town at the base of Mount Åreskutan is a versatile destination, with good connections and excellent opportunities for adventure tourism.

Adventure activities in Åre in winter include alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, snowmobiling, skating, ice-fishing and paragliding.

Åre is accessible via daily flights from Trondheim and Östersund.