Skistar Ready For Winter With A Focus On Skiing, Snow Reliability And Guest Experiences

Leading Scandinavian ski resort operator SkiStar, which offered six months of skiing at the ski resorts Åre, Sälen, Vemdalen, Trysil and Hemsedal last winter, is introducing a number of exciting new features for the coming winter season. The company is investing in improving the skiing experience, snow reliability and sustainability. With a combination of new technology, such as real-time queue information at lifts and AI-driven optimization of ski logistics, guests will enjoy an even smoother and more enjoyable stay at Scandinavia's snow-sure ski resorts.

In addition, SkiStar is taking important steps to reduce its carbon footprint by introducing emission-free transport options, electric snow scooters and environmental certifications for SkiStar lodges and hotels. With these innovations, SkiStar is setting new standards for sustainable and innovative ski tourism in Scandinavia.

"We are proud to offer our guests a completely new and unique level of service using the latest technology. Real-time queue reporting and AI-driven analysis allow us to improve the skiing experience and ensure our guests make the most of their time on the slopes," says Stefan Sjöstrand, CEO of SkiStar.

A groundbreaking real-time queue information system tested in Åre during the Easter holidays received very positive feedback from guests and is now being implemented at all SkiStar destinations. Nearly 60 lifts will be equipped with technology that uses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) combined with anonymized Wi-Fi signals to improve the skiing experience. This data will be available to guests in the SkiStar app and on digital screens at the lifts.

"Sustainability is a cornerstone of our company and we continue to lead the way in our industry. By introducing zero-emission and electric buses, more charging stations for electric vehicles, additional electric snow scooters and environmental certifications, we are taking important steps to reduce our carbon footprint and preserve our mountains for future generations," says Fanny Sjödin, Head of Sustainability at SkiStar.

Sustainability is an integral part of SkiStar's business strategy and is further strengthened by a number of innovations and improvements. For example, zero-emission ski buses are being introduced in Åre and Vemdalen, with the ski buses in Vemdalen being fully electric. By the 2027/28 winter season, the company plans to replace all 200 snow scooters with electric variants. This winter, 15 more electric scooters will be introduced in the mountain regions, so there are now almost 30 electric scooters in SkiStar's operations. Electric-powered snow groomers will be introduced in Åre, Hemsedal and Hammarbybacken in Stockholm. An additional 16 charging stations for electric vehicles will be installed in Sälen, and 70 new charging stations will be created in Hemsedal, Norway through a special cooperation with BMW Group Norway. SkiStar Lodges Trysil and Hemsedal and Radisson Blu Resort Trysil will receive environmental certificates from Norway's "Miljøfyrtårn".

The winter innovations in Åre, Sälen, Vemdalen, Trysil, Hemsedal and Hammarbybacken:

• In Åre , the alpine capital of Scandinavia, the ski season is extended until 4 May. A major investment in snow reliability at Björnen ski resort improves the entire area and enables ski-in/ski-out for more accommodation. The popular children's area Rödkullen will be further developed and will receive a new ski cross course designed by the popular snowman Valle. At the classic Åre Torg, the well-known Hansson Concept Store will get a new design and the ski rental will reopen with improved logistics. In addition, new tailor-made guide experiences with Sweden's most qualified guides will be offered, combined with ski testing. Restaurant 720 will reopen and offer delicious food in a unique atmosphere with fantastic views. A total of 12 lifts will receive permanent real-time queue information.
• Sälen , the mecca for families with children, is investing in improving the experience in the well-known Troll Forest in Hundfjället, where the sounds intensify the adventure both on site and during the journey in the car. Troll Stories bring the most popular trolls to life, and together with the popular snowman Valle, exciting stories are presented, among other things at the Troll Church for a musical experience with the rapping trolls or at the toilet trolls Orvar and Svea. In Hundfjället, access to the Troll Forest and the mountain restaurant will be improved with a new, weatherproof lift from the ski area. Snow security will be further strengthened with reinforcements at Sälfjällstorget in Lindvallen and the construction of a new water supply for snow security in Tandådalen. Two new restaurant concepts will open at SkiStar Lodge Hundfjället. The bistro will offer American and Italian flavors as well as take-away pizza. The restaurant will serve a breakfast and lunch buffet as well as an evening menu with Nordic flavors. In addition, family-friendly live music is offered in the lodge bar several days a week after skiing. A total of 18 lifts receive permanent real-time queue information.
• In Vemdalen , which consists of the ski resorts Björnrike, Klövsjö-Storhogna and Vemdalsskalet, the children will be surprised with exciting RGB lighting on Vemdalsskalet and Valle will get a brand new stage for performances and dancing. A total of 10 lifts will get permanent real-time queue information.
• Norway's largest ski resort, Trysil , is developing a completely new snow park centrally located on the south side of the mountain. The park will meet World Cup standards and offer three lines: blue, red and black. It will also be equipped with a snow system, lighting and a 1,100-meter-long park lift. A new carving slope and an exciting fun ride will be created in the same area, and night skiing will be expanded. The popular snowman Valle will get more activities at SkiStar Lodge and Radisson Blu Resort in Trysil, including a new Valle kitchen and an illuminated Valle forest on the north side of Trysilfjell. A new conveyor belt with tunnel will also improve the children's area at Høyfjellssenteret. A total of 11 lifts will receive permanent real-time queue information.
• Hemsedal , referred to by guests as "Scandinavia's Alps", continues the development around the Lodge Express express lift, which opened last winter. This includes extending the slopes to create more space in the ski area, as well as improving ski-in/ski-out access to accommodation in the Fjellnest, Tinden and Alpin Appartement areas through a 250-meter conveyor belt. Fjellandsbyen, which consists of 128 brand new, modern ski-in/ski-out apartments, is now completed next to SkiStar Lodge. Additional ski-in/ski-out accommodation, including the premium apartments Alpelia and Staven at Stavkroa, will also open. A total of 8 lifts will receive permanent real-time queue information.
• In Hammarbybacken , in the middle of Stockholm, the ski resort is now being converted to a completely fossil-free operation. The pilot project last winter showed that it is possible to run a small ski resort on electricity. In addition, snow production will be made more efficient and lighting will be improved both on the slopes and in the beginners' area to give guests an even better experience during the dark winter days in Stockholm.