Downhill in the mountains

Curious about downhill? Åre and Sälen offer downhill cycling for all tastes, ages and levels. Unique cycling in beautiful scenery, varied mountain terrain and varied rides.

What is downhill?

Downhill cycling is an adrenaline-filled type of mountain biking where thrill, technique and speed are the key elements. When you cycle downhill, you cycle down steep and challenging terrain, both on nature trails and excavated trails. The trails have difficulty levels of green, blue, red, black and feature a variety of challenges such as jumps, drops and banked bends. You will need a BikePass to take the lift up to the downhill trail, and you’ll need a shock absorbing bike, full-face helmet and protection.

Five tips for downhill

Location: pay attention to your location on the bike. Lower the centre of gravity and flex your arms and legs. From this position, it’s easier to handle different types of terrain.
Relax: you can’t achieve good flow if you’re stiff as a board. Let your body relax and let it instinctively absorb any obstacles that appear.
The right protection and equipment: make sure you have a shock absorbing bike and always wear protection such as a full-face helmet, gloves, knee pads and elbow pads to minimise the risk of injury in the event of a fall or collision.
Don’t be overconfident: As you become more comfortable on your bike, you can increase speed and navigate more difficult terrain. However, remember to do it at your own pace and don't become overconfident.
Look ahead: Fix your gaze ahead of you so that you can plan how you will take the next bend and obstacle. This will make you feel safer as you always see what’s coming next.

Åre or Sälen downhill?

We generally recommend Åre's downhill cycling for older children and experienced adults. There are plenty of trails for beginners here too, but you'll get more out of downhill cycling here if you have previous cycling experience.

We often refer to Sälen's downhill as “family-friendly downhill”, and it’s perfect for families with children, beginners or for those who want to try out downhill cycling. The destination also offers challenging trails, but the trails tend to be easier and the pace calmer in Sälen than in Åre.

Read more about downhill in

Sälen Åre

Learn the basics or refine your technique

Private downhill cycling guide

New to biking or looking to develop your downhill skills? Our trained bike guides offer private guided tours for all levels of downhill cycling. Together with our cycling guides, you get a whole new experience from the saddle of your bike. Both Åre and Sälen offer private downhill guided tours.

Cycling courses - Intro to downhill

Recommended for anyone new to downhill cycling to learn the basics in a group with others. We teach positioning, braking techniques, turning techniques and guide you through the easiest sections of the downhill Park. Intro to downhill can be booked in both Åre and Sälen.