Once the preserves of the fortunate few, with the advent of low cost airlines, a few days in the sun skiing over white landscapes is now within the reach of all of us. Over the last twenty years Catalonia has shown that it is in the forefront of offering a wide range of winter sports to advanced skiiers, learners, those who enjoy the more cerebral sport of Nordic skiing and those who simply enjoy a walk in a christmas-card landscape.
Ski Resorts in Catalonia:
Vall de Núria: A couple of hours from Girona, where low-cost airlines arrive in style, is the resort of Vall de Núria in the western Pyrenees, a region that boasts excellent facilities both in summer and winter. The most popular feature of this resort is that is accessed by a cog railway whose journey takes you up more than 1000 metres in a 12 kilometre journey. The cog railway, departing from;Ribes-Enllac station and travelling to the village of Queralbs, connects with regional trains, so getting there is easy.
Elevation: Minimum - 1,965 metres ; Maximum - 2,252 metres Total number of slopes: 10 Artificial snow;: approximately 4,500 metres Ski schools: 1 (25 monitors) Ski lifts/people movers: 4 Skiable slopes: 7 kilometres Futher information: www.valldenuria.com
La Molina. The oldest resort of the Spanish Pyrenees, La Molina opened its slopes in 1943. Also, catering to the observation that - where there's snow, there are clients - it was one of the first places to resort to the use of artificial snow guns; a technology that is being perfected annually. Surrounded by impressive pine forests that, with the first snows would do Santa Claus proud, La Molina also boasts a new cable ride that can cope with over 2000 skiiers every hour. That should cut the queues down. Elevation: Minimum - 1,700 metres ; Maximum - 2,445 metres Total number of slopes: 42 Artificial snow: approximately 20 kilometres Ski schools: 7 (400 monitors) Ski lifts/people movers: 16 Skiable slopes: 42 kilometres Futher information: www.lamolina.com
Baquiera Beret
With one of the best climates - the Atlantic influence almost always guarantees snowfall - Baqueira Beret is the resort that invariably has most visitors. Couple this with the fact that it's the place the Spanish royal family have traditionally used as their holiday skiing destination, and you have somewhere that is high within the public profile. It's full of things to do with extensive skiing areas and impenetrable forests in which to walk. Being one of the best equipped ski stations it also has links to some high class hotels.
Elevation: Minimum - 1,500 metres ; Maximum - 2,500 metres Total number of slopes: 73 Artificial snow: approximately 36 kilometres Ski schools: 4 (300 monitors) Ski lifts/people movers: 31 Skiable slopes: 104 kilometres Futher information: www.baqueira.es
Masella
The ski slopes of Masella are located next to those of La Molina. Because of their proximity a common ski pass system that allows visitors to take advantage of the facilities of both resorts has been instigated. Located amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in the Pyrenees, Masella is full of possibilities.
Elevation: Minimum - 1,600 metres ; Maximum - 2,550 metres Total number of slopes: 44 Artificial snow: approximately 26 kilometres Ski schools: 1 (80 monitors) Ski lifts/people movers: 12 Skiable slopes: 61 kilometres Futher information: www.masella.com
Vallter 2000, located on the eastern part of the Pyrenees brushing the French frontier and not far from the village of Setcases, is one of the newer resorts that is trying hard to provide all necessary facilities for family fun and entertainment. .
Elevation: Minimum - 2,000 metres ; Maximum - 2,550 metres Total number of slopes: 12 Artificial snow: approximately 13 kilometres Ski schools: 1 (35 monitors) Ski lifts/people movers: 8 Skiable slopes: 15 kilometres Futher information: www.vallter2000.com
Port del Comte lies on the southern boundary of the Pyrenees and is easily reached from all the major airports.
Elevation: Minimum - 1,700 metres ; Maximum - 2,400 metres Total number of slopes: 36 Artificial snow: approximately 12 kilometres Ski schools: 1 (30 monitors) Ski lifts/people movers: 15 Skiable slopes: 40 kilometres Futher information: www.portdelcomte.net
Tavascan located near to the village of the same name is hidden deep in the Pyrenees surrounded by impressive sweeping pine forests and spectacular views. Although it is quite a small resort it is well catered for. This resort offers the visitor more facilities for Norwegian skiing, a sport that allows you to explore your surroundings with a bit more detail.
Elevation: Minimum - 1,750 metres ; Maximum - 2,300 metres Total number of slopes: 5 Ski schools: 1 (10 monitors) Ski lifts/people movers: 2 Skiable slopes: 5 kilometres Norwegian ski circuit: 17 kilometres Futher information: www.tavascan.net
In winter Boí Taüll is converted into a village covered by a blanket of snow that seems to be a natural part of the wonderful landscape that surrounds it. The resort is located in the Boí Valley, in the central Pyrenees of Lérida Province. Being next to Aigüestortes National Park it is has a front seat view of some of the most spectacular scenery that the Pyrenees has to offer and it boasts modern services which, the organisers say, can only enhance the experience of being there.
Elevation: Minimum - 2,020 metres ; Maximum - 2,750 metres Total number of slopes: 46 Artifical snow: 16 kilometres Ski schools: 2 (100 monitors) Ski lifts/people movers: 31 Skiable slopes: 46 kilometres Futher information: www.boitaullresort.com
The ski resort of Rasos de Peguera is located on the southern margin of the Pyrenees bordering the Aigüestortes National Park, a fact that ensures spectacular scenery for any visit.
Elevation: Minimum - 1,850 metres ; Maximum - 2,050 metres Total number of slopes: 10 Ski lifts/people movers: 6 Nordic ski circuit: 5 kilometres Futher information: www.rasos.net
