What's Up Åre

Jon (Spijon) Reinklou grew up in the small village of Föllinge with parents who believed anything was possible—and he took that to heart. In this episode of What’s up Åre , Jon shares the journey that took him from selling lottery tickets at age 13 to building AI software with one of Asia’s biggest tech consortiums. He’s traveled to 61 countries, played packed DJ sets in Åre, and somehow still fin...

Michaela Boson spent years working in high-end restaurants in Stockholm—but it wasn’t until she moved to Duved that she found the space to create something truly her own. In this episode of What’s up Åre , Michaela shares her journey from polished kitchens to cozy chaos, where everything revolves around human connection, heart, and making people feel welcome. She talks about how she ended up runni...

Joel Söderström grew up with motocross, found identity in snowboarding, and now blends his passions into storytelling and community-building. In this episode of What’s up Åre , Joel talks about growing up as the youngest in a blended family, how motocross helped shape his drive, and why snowboarding became more than just a sport—it became his creative and emotional outlet. We explore how Joel ende...

Growing up deeply immersed in the world of skiing and snowboarding, André Britzen has always chased adventure both on snow and in surf. From competitive beginnings at age 12 to embracing life in Åre’s ski patrol team, André’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Filled with laughter, passion, and a healthy dose of spontaneity, his story is one of taking the scenic route—often literally. In this...

Rebecka Harlaut grew up between Åre and Duved, skiing from an early age and always chasing the joy of movement. But her journey through the ski world hasn’t been a straight line. From alpine racing to moguls, from competitive freeriding to physiotherapy , Rebecka has carved her own route—with plenty of detours, injuries, and epiphanies along the way. In this episode of What’s up Åre , Rebecka talk...

Patrik Viklund is a driving force behind Åre’s snowboarding scene—organizing events like the Trillevallen Banked Slalom , helping revive a legendary local snowboard club, and showing up for the mountain and its people in every way. In this episode of What’s up Åre , we explore Patrik’s long-standing connection to Åreskutan, the joy of snowboarding for fun, and the power of community. From spotting...

Chef Henrik Rettrup’s life changed dramatically at age 16, when unexpected family events prompted him to choose a new path—one defined by cooking, creativity, and mountains. Join us on What's up Åre as Henrik shares his inspiring journey from Södertälje to becoming a beloved chef at renowned kitchens like Buustamon and Copperhill Mountain Lodge, and now innovating school meals in Duved. We dis...

Entrepreneur, thinker, and storyteller Jakob Lindvall brings a suitcase full of experiences—and artifacts—to this episode of What’s up Åre . With a background spanning the UN, entrepreneurship, sailing, and even punk music, Jakob’s journey is anything but conventional. We dive into his rebellious start in business, why frustration often sparks the best ideas, and how breaking the rules can lead to...

Skiing isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life. And few people understand that better than Daniel Larsson. As the owner of Skidsport, a family business that has been a cornerstone of Åre’s ski community for generations, Daniel is as local as it gets. His family’s deep roots in Åre, combined with his expertise in ski performance, boot fitting, and business, make him a go-to authority for everyone fro...

In one phone call, Darren Hamlin lost a year’s worth of income. No backup plan, no warning—just gone. But instead of letting it break him, he found himself at a crossroads: panic or pivot? In this episode of What’s up Åre , Darren talks about the gut-punch moment that forced him to rethink everything, the uncertainty that followed, and the unexpected ways life has a way of working out. We dive int...

What happens when the thing that defines you is suddenly gone? Olle Larsson always saw himself as a runner—until an injury changed everything. In this episode of What’s up Åre , he opens up about losing his identity as an athlete, navigating recovery, and finding new ways to move forward. We dive into the mental and physical challenges of reinvention, how he got into gravel biking and the bike com...

Meet Lina Hallebratt—dog sledder, adventurer, and the first person to connect Sweden’s White, Blue, and Green Ribbons. She’s also tackled the Pacific Crest Trail, kayaked Sweden’s coastline, and explored Europe’s wildest landscapes with her loyal sled dogs. In this episode, Lina shares her extraordinary journey: relying on her dogs in extreme conditions, overcoming unpredictable challenges on solo...

Meet Martin Hollstrand—a skateboarder, innovator, and entrepreneur who has turned his passion for skating into a philosophy for leadership and success. In this episode, Martin shares how skateboarding taught him to embrace failure, foster creativity, and build thriving communities. We dive deep into his journey from co-founding Because Mondays, a freelancer community platform, to working with big...

Meet Sara Gärdegård—a graphic designer, community builder, and the creator behind Upptäck Jämtland , a project uncovering the beauty of Jämtland. In this episode, Sara dives into her mission to preserve Jämska , an endangered local language, through an innovative game she designed. From her early struggles with mountain life to rediscovering the charm of Åre, Sara shares the stories that shaped he...

In this episode, we dive into the creative and inspiring world of Jennifer Hammervald. From her surprising love for horror movies to her journey as a product designer for Minecraft, Jennifer shares how her passions have shaped her life. She talks about crafting pop culture-inspired patches and pins, her unexpected move to Åre, and the joys of embracing a slower, more intentional lifestyle in the m...

Amanda Eliasson’s life has been full of surprises. From handling frustrated customers at IKEA’s Return and Reclamation Department—where she mastered the art of staying cool under pressure—to becoming a target on Expedition Robinson (Sweden’s Survivor ), Amanda’s journey is anything but boring. In this episode, Amanda shares hilarious and eye-opening stories from her time on reality TV, including t...

What does it take to carve out a life filled with reinvention and adventure? This week, we chat with Anders Forselius, whose journey has taken him from working as a doctor to founding a med-tech software company, and even representing Sweden on the national surfing team. Anders shares how his passion for exploration led him to break away from the conventional path and embrace a life of bold decisi...

What does it take to climb mountains—both literal and figurative? This week, we chat with Maria Granberg, an adventurer who’s made discomfort her superpower. From summiting Mount Everest to surviving on half an apple for 72 hours, Maria shares her incredible journey of grit, growth, and self-discovery. Packed with inspiring stories and honest reflections, this episode will leave you rethinking wha...

In this episode, we sit down with Malin Rapp—a professional athlete, motivational speaker, and all-around inspiring soul. Malin opens up about the highs and lows of her journey, from winning a world championship to facing a life-changing accident that forced her to rethink everything. Now, she travels Sweden sharing her story, while finding her own peace here in Åre. We talk about resilience, embr...

Description: In this episode, we chat with Anna-Maria Eriksson, a lively and creative soul who’s made her mark in Åre. She shares her journey of falling in love with the town, from her first days baking flatbread to her spontaneous decision to take over a local café. With humor and a whole lot of heart, Anna-Maria talks about what makes her feel at home in Åre, her unique take on Swedish culture,...

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a paramedic in a mountain town? This week, we chat with Fredrik Arenstig, the guy who’s seen it all—from everyday callouts to wild mountain rescues. Fredrik opens up about his most intense moments on the job, the close calls that stick with him, and how he’s learned to take life as it comes. It’s a laid-back conversation full of laughter, heart, and insights into...

Val and Tim are your hosts for What's Up Åre , a video podcast that goes beyond small talk to explore the real stories of people living in Åre, a Swedish mountain town. After years of adventure with a hostel on wheels—a converted American school bus traveling across Europe—they've put down roots in Åre, drawn by the incredible community and its fascinating stories. In this trailer, they show you s...