Local Information
Information about Gräftåvallen
Gräftåvallen is a tiny mountain resort on the eastern slope
of the Oviken mountains out in the wilderness. It is located
approximately 600 km NNW of Stockholm. It is quite far north
(lat. 63 degrees), but it may surprise you that it is indeed very
close to the geographic center of Sweden. It is still quite a bit south
of Arctic circle.
Gräftåvallen is located about 700 m above sea level just at the tree
line. It has a central building with a restaurant, a small store, sauna,
solarium, etc. Spread around the central building there are a number of
small cottages, each having a bathroom with shower, a small kitchen with
refrigerator, electric heating and a color TV. Most cottages
also have a nice front porth for basking in the afternoon sun.
All meals will be served in the restaurant in the central
building. The restaurant is licensed for wine and liquor, but
it should be mentioned that prices for alcoholic beverages are high
in Sweden.
There is a Laplander native population in the area and they keep
reindeer herds on the mountain side. There are also a variety of wild
animals. The surroundings are very scenic and great for outdoor activities.
The nearest mountain is "Östfjället", 1200 m above sea level. The
peak is only 4 km from Gräftåvallen. Other mountains are within
easy reach.
Our hosts at Gräftåvallen are Annika and Tommy Hagström, who
will make everything possible to make our stay a pleasant one.
Mail and telephone service
The mailing address during the Workshop is
Gamma Ray Burst Workshop
Gräftåvallens Fjällanläggning
Box 129
S-840 44 Oviken
Sweden
Phone: +46-(0)643-52010
Fax: +46-(0)643-52335
46 is the code of Sweden, 0643 is the area code (skip 0 when calling
from abroad).
Since there are no phones in the cottages, it is recommended that
outside callers simply leave a message asking for a call back.
E-mail will NOT be available during the workshop.
Juri Poutanen can be reached by:
Phone: 46-8-164468, Fax: +46-8-7174719 (when in Stockholm, before the workshop)
or dialing his mobile phone:
+46-70-3139531 (070-3139531 in Sweden)
Recommended clothing
There could be rather cold in the mountains in February.
Temperature of -30^o C is not surprising. We recommend you to
take (very) warm clothes. Those of you who would like to take
opportunity to go skiing between sessions or drive a ski-scooter
(it will be a lot of snow), are urged to take with you the
wind-proof clothes.
There will be no point in bringing formal clothes -
you cannot use them up there!
Local costs
The registration fee - 1000 SEK (about 125 USD, to be paid in cash during the
workshop in any major currency, preferably in SEK)
- covers proceedings, organized local transportation from Östersund
to Gräftåvallen on days before and after workshop, banquet dinner,
activities, etc. (Note: private
transportation could be ~300 SEK, or in the worst case ~1000 SEK by taxi).
Registration fee for students - 600 SEK.
Full board (food, lodging, ski and scooter rental, lift card, etc.)
800 SEK/day X 5 full days = 4000 SEK (about 500 USD)
to be paid directly to the hotel at Gräftåvallen.
Major credit cards (except American Express and Diner Club) and
American Express traveller's checks are accepted.
Accompanying persons (staying in the same room):
Full board - 500 SEK/day X 5 = 2500 SEK (about 310 USD)
Registration fee - 600 SEK
(includes the same benefits as for participants except the proceedings).
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