The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission, led by Romania's Octavian Morariu, are set to start their five-day visit in a village once occupied by Vikings and which last month hosted the International Ski Federation Alpine Ski World Championships. 

Åre will host the Alpine skiing, freestyle and snowboarding if Sweden is awarded the Olympics for the first time since they hosted the 1912 Summer Games.

This inspection is due to be followed by a visit to Sweden's only rival, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy, beginning on April 2. 

"Over the coming weeks, the Commission is looking forward to learning more about their proposals and taking a first-hand look at the prospective venues," Morariu said. 

"This will be done through the lens of Olympic Agenda 2020, which has provided the candidates with increased flexibility and support to ensure sustainable Games plans that best align with the cities' and regions' long-term goals, bringing benefits to their local populations."

At the start of its visit, the IOC Evaluation Commission is set to be greeted by Gunilla Lindberg, a member of the IOC's Executive Committee and secretary general of the Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK), and Richard Brisius, the chief executive of of Stockholm-Åre 2026.

They are set to be joined by SOK chairman Mats Årjes.

"This is an important and exciting week in our work to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2026," said Brisius.

"It's an opportunity to showcase our world-class facilities and describe how we would like to implement the Winter Olympics in seven years.

"We welcome the IOC group, who are all real experts in this field, and we look forward to listening to their thoughts and suggestions on how we could possibly improve and refine our bid."

Following the visit here, the IOC Evaluation Commission are due to travel to Stockholm for meetings and arena inspections. 

On Thursday (March 14), there is scheduled to be a trip to Falun before the Stockholm meeting continues until Saturday (March 16).