The 10 best places to ski in Spain

Spain has a great variety of landscapes, the best known being its beaches. Although it is not seen as a major winter sports destination, the country has a wide range of high-quality ski resorts. You can ski in several parts of the country, in its highest mountain ranges such as the Pyrenees, the Cantabrian Mountains of León, and as far south as the mountain ranges of the Baetic System.

That is why we have put together a list of the 10 best places to ski in Spain, so you can get an idea of what each one offers.

BAQUEIRA BERET, LLEIDA

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Located in the Aran Valley, in the Catalan Pyrenees, Baqueira is the main and most exclusive ski resort in Spain. It takes its name from the largest mountain that rises above the valley.

Baqueira Beret has a total of 160 km of marked slopes, including Luis Arias, El Mirador y Bosque, Argulls, Muntayó, Manaud, Dossau and Marimanha, Blanhiblar, Costarjas, the Beret stadium and La Peülla, all with high-quality snow.

If you do not have your own equipment, you can rent it from €30 a day at the various shops in the resort.

Private lessons cost about €42 an hour, and group lessons start at €69 a day.

As for accommodation, you can find very cheap options from €48 a night, up to more exclusive places at over €300.

BOÍ TAÜLL, LLEIDA

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Located in the Boí Valley, just north-east of the Catalan district of Alta Ribagorza, the highest ski resort in the Spanish Pyrenees lies between the mountains (2,020 m at its lowest point at Pla de Vaques and 2,751 m at its highest at Puig Falcó).

The ski area of Boí Taüll has 10 green, 7 blue, 26 red and 9 black runs, with slopes of up to 750 metres. Unlike other resorts in Spain, there are no long queues or crowds, which makes it very comfortable for family ski days.

Renting equipment is also easy: you can ask for a quote for skis, poles and helmets at the various shops in the resort, with prices from €21 to €33, all included.

There is a wide range of accommodation, from hotels to fully equipped apartments, with prices between €40 and €100 a night, depending on how close they are to the resort.

FORMIGAL, HUESCA

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This resort is in the Spanish town that belongs to the municipality of Sallent de Gállego, in the province of Huesca, Aragon. It has a special feature: granite mountains and sharp ridges that rise to more than 2,748 metres. It is a resort with a young atmosphere, perfect for experienced skiers thanks to its black and red runs.

You can rent helmets and poles for €5, skis and boots from €16, or just skis for €12 on site.

As for hotels, you will find quiet, charming places with superb views of the Pyrenees, priced between €48 and €240; or, if you prefer, great all-inclusive apartments in the town of Formigal for an unforgettable stay.

CERLER, HUESCA

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Cerler, in Huesca, is one of the best places to ski in Spain: for 3 years in a row it was named the best ski resort and it often appears in lists of the 24 best ski resorts in the world.

This resort has the longest run in the country, about 9 kilometres long, surrounded by forest and 60 peaks over 3,000 m. It has 68 runs, a snow park and a snowmobile circuit across 77 kilometres of skiable terrain, plus 38 km of artificial snow and 375 snow cannons.

Hotels in Cerler start at €70 a night with all amenities included, and apartments can cost €150 a night. As for food, you will find the typical cuisine of the region, for an average of €12 to €30 per person depending on the restaurant.

SIERRA NEVADA, GRANADA

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The Sierra Nevada ski resort lies in the national park of the same name. It is only 30 kilometres from Granada, one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

This resort has become one of the busiest destinations in the country during the ski season on the Iberian Peninsula. It is one of the liveliest and most popular with families, along with Formigal. For this reason, and for its more than 100 kilometres of skiable terrain, it makes our list of the 10 best places to ski in Spain.

It also has superb hotel complexes surrounded by snowy mountains, in a dreamlike winter setting. Prices range from €48 to €530, so the choice is yours.

LEITARIEGOS, LEÓN

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The Leitariegos ski resort, in the Cantabrian Mountains of León, is considered the second cheapest in Spain. It offers a unique view of the Laciana Valley, framed by the Cueto de Arbás peak, and has everything you need for a great experience. Its marked runs go from a maximum altitude of 1,800 metres down to 1,500 metres. They vary in difficulty: 6 red, 4 blue and 2 green, plus a 300-metre snow park.

For equipment hire, you can find a full set from €13 a day, skis and boots for €7, and even poles and helmets for €4.

Accommodation costs between €40 and €140, most of it with superb views.

VALDEZCARAY, LA RIOJA

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With more than 300 skiable hectares and 26 runs, the Valdezcaray ski resort is considered one of the most accessible in Europe, which is why it stands out in our ranking. Although it suits all levels, the slopes of Pico de San Lorenzo also offer enough challenge for the more adventurous.

Full ski equipment hire costs no more than €20 a day. Accommodation is easy to find from €25, in simple but pleasant hotels.

ASTÚN, HUESCA

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With 50 kilometres of skiable runs and a wide range of freeride descents, Astún is one of the pioneering resorts in Spain and is still one of the busiest in the country. If you see yourself as a winter athlete, try the descent from its highest peak, La Raca, at 2,300 m, with a vertical drop of 650 metres.

A full set of equipment can be rented from €22 a day, or €26 with a helmet. For your stay, you can find rentals between €37 and €153 depending on your needs.

VALDESQUÍ, MADRID

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Only 70 kilometres from the capital, in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama, lies the Valdesquí resort. Its 22 kilometres of snow-covered slopes, spread over 26 runs of different levels, make it an ideal option.

Here you can rent a full set of equipment from €16 a day and add any accessory for €2 more. You can also stay in pleasant places with all services from €54 a night.

GRANDVALIRA, ANDORRA

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The last place is not in Spain, but how could we leave out the wonderful ski resorts of our neighbour Andorra? A ski trip to Andorra is worth it, not only for the quality of its slopes, snow and services, but also for its idyllic scenery and affordable prices.

So, to round off our list of the 10 best places to ski, we present the Grandvalira resort. Located in eastern Andorra, the resort has 210 km of slopes spread over 138 runs and an impressive choice of hotels. Although it is active for much of the year, the official season starts in early December and ends in mid-April.

Here too, you can rent a full set of equipment from €12 a day, and find hotels between €53 and €400.

If you live in Spain and are looking for somewhere to ski, you now know the best options. Time to plan a getaway and enjoy snowy landscapes and this spectacular sport.

Source: estaentumundo