Skiing in the Catalan Pyrenees
Since so many people are travelling to different ski resorts in Spain, I am going to start a ski resort guide to help you plan your holidays in Spain. And since I live in Barcelona and I know the area pretty well, I would like to start offering you some information about ski resorts in the Catalan Pyrenees. Here are some resorts you can visit and you can also rent your apartment in the Catalan Pyrenees to be independent and enjoy your holidays:
Baqueira Beret is Spain’s largest resort with 104km of marked pistes and 7km of cross-country ski. It is located in the highest part of the Valley of Arán (Naut Arán), and Pallars Sobirá (Valls d’Aneu). It has long and wide ski runs some through trees. It is divided into three different zones, Baqueira, Beret and Bonaigua. The resort of Baqueira Beret, due to its westerly aspect, has a good snow record throughout the winter. In addition is more than 1,000 meters vertical drop and an extensive skiable zone which makes it one of best ski resorts of Spain. It is the favourite of the Spanish Royal Family.
It was founded by Spanish champion ski racer Luis Arias and its southerly latitude gives an hour more daylight for skiing than in the Alps, and it’s warmer too. But the 350+ snow guns ensure adequate snow cover on the lower slopes which face north or north west. The extension of the ski resort is controversial, because despite the tourist and economic benefit to the region, there are environmental impacts on the mountains. A number of locals and environmental organizations oppose the extension, seeking the protection of Val d’Arreu.
Lift Capacity per Hour : 49,262
Number of Pistes : 72
Total Skiable Area : 111 kms
Alpine Skiing: 104 Kms
Cross Country: 7 Kms
Resort Altitude : Min: 1500 m / Max: 2510 m
Green Ski Runs: 4
Blue Ski Runs : 36
Red Ski Runs: 26
Black Ski Runs: 6
Number of Snow Canons: 549
Number of Schools: 4
Number of Instructors: 300
Masella ski resort is located in the Catalunya Pyrenees, in La Cerdanya and is a pretty ski resort situated amongst typical alpine scenery and whereby 80% of the slopes wind through forests. There is good quality snow in abundance which is guaranteed by some 380 snow canons and has become one of Spain’s most popular and unique ski and snowboard resorts.
It’s the second biggest resort in the Spanish Pyrenees, after Baqueira-Beret, with its own microclimate which gives it the distinct advantage of receiving more sunshine hours than any of the other Pyrenean ski centres.
It’s an ideal family resort and is popular among Catalonians who make day and weekend trips here from Barcelona and the other towns and villages in this north east corner of Spain. The resort is immediately to the south east of the independent state of Andorra, 175 kilometres from Barcelona’s international airport. It lies between the towns of Alp, Das and Urus in an area known as the Oriental Pyrenees.
The 37 pistes of Masella cover 57 kilometres and consist of six green runs, 15 blues, 10 reds and six blacks. About 80% of the pistes run through the forest of this spectacular area which is often compared with the Rocky Mountains in the USA. Queues are kept to a minimum thanks to a lift system capable of transporting 7,360 skiers per hour. Five chair lifts (four and six seaters) and eight drag lifts serve the pistes which are kept open even in periods of little snowfall thanks to the resort’s 290 snow cannons. There are also specially adapted areas and a half-pipe for snowboarders.
Number of Lifts : 11
Lift Capacity per Hour : 11,020
Number of Pistes : 54
Total Skiable Area : 65 kms
Alpine Skiing: 65 Kms
Cross Country: kms
Resort Altitude : Min: 1600 m / Max: 2535 m
Green Ski Runs: 6
Blue Ski Runs : 20
Red Ski Runs: 21
Black Ski Runs: 7
Number of Snow Canons: 380
Number of Schools: 1
Number of Instructors: 90
La Molina ski resort is located in the Catalunya Pyrenees, in La Cerdanya within the municipality of Alp. It is one of the oldest ski resorts in Spain and uses the experience it has gained over the years to its advantage. This first ski lift In Spain was installed here and 1943, snowmaking and other lift engineering techniques where also pioneered here. The slopes are very well groomed and maintained with 390 canons ensuring the snows quality right through the season.
It is a resort that has grown and built for skiers of all levels to enjoy. The resort is immediately to the south east of the independent state of Andorra, 175 kilometres from Barcelona’s international airport. The larger resort of Masella is nearby and the two ski centres between them provide more than 100 kilometres of marked runs. There’s a train service from Barcelona (travelling time is around three and a half hours) and a regular bus service between the station at La Molina and the resort.
The 40 pistes cover 50 kilometres and consist of seven green runs, 12 blue runs, 15 red runs and six black runs. Artificial snow, pumped out by no less than 326 cannons, guarantees ski-ing on 20 kilometres of the marked runs. There’s a permanent competition track and four ski jumps to challenge more advanced skiers and snowboarders are catered for with a half pipe, ramps and jumps. There are also three kilometres of cross-country trails through the forests.
Number of Lifts : 17
Lift Capacity per Hour : 24,360
Number of Pistes : 45
Total Skiable Area : 56.5 kms
Alpine Skiing: 53 Kms
Cross Country: 3.5 kms
Resort Altitude : Min: 1700 m / Max: 2445 m
Green Ski Runs: 11
Blue Ski Runs : 13
Red Ski Runs: 15
Black Ski Runs: 6
Number of Snow Canons: 390
Number of Schools: 8
Number of Instructors: 400
The Boi Taull ski resort is set amongst the highest peaks of the Lleida Pyreness in the stunning Vall de Boi Valley. Here you will find the ideal combination of natural surroundings - situated next to Aigüestortes National Park - and services offered at this mountain resort. Its architecture employing stone, wood and slate, is typically Pyrenean and blends perfectly into the environment. One of the great benefits of skiing here is that you can enjoy stress free skiing in ideal snow conditions all through the season and what best is that there are no queues at the lifts, climb straight on and choose where you want to ski.
This is the place for unspoilt pistes and the resort offers a quiet intimacy not usually available at the bigger resorts. Forty one slopes are broken down into eight green, seven blue, 19 red, and seven black, covered by 15 lifts. A lift pass costs 25 euros per day, and access to the slopes is fast and efficient. There are two ski schools, each with 40 instructors; classes cost between 25 euros and 26 euros per person per hour.
Number of Lifts : 16
Lift Capacity per Hour : 19,690
Number of Pistes : 49
Total Skiable Area : 43 kms
Alpine Skiing: 43 Kms
Cross Country: kms
Resort Altitude : Min: 2020 m / Max: 2750 m
Green Ski Runs: 9
Blue Ski Runs : 4
Red Ski Runs: 28
Black Ski Runs: 8
Number of Snow Canons: 155
Number of Schools: 2
Number of Instructors: 100
I will give you more info about other resorts in the near future. Have fun!
