In the very center of the Pyrenees Mountains is the Aran Valley, right halfway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. You can get there only by car or by bus, overcoming mountain roads that are surrounded by ravines and waterfalls. In this valley is the Baqueira-Beret ski resort, which is called the largest and most famous in the Pyrenees. The royal family and the country’s president rest here.
Baqueira Beret
The Spaniards themselves love to rest here.
For a long period, this valley was better connected to neighboring France than to Spain. The local language, Aran, has been preserved here, which is taught in schools and spoken by the local government, and the cuisine of the resort has experienced the influence of both countries, and this valley is famous for its restaurants.
European skiers and snowboarders have long made Baqueira-Bere their Mecca. The most demanding tourists, including the Spanish royal family, the President of Spain and their entourage, highly appreciated not only the quality of the local snow, but also the variety of services that Baqueira-Beret offers to the tourist. Here you will find tracks of various levels of difficulty, both for beginners and for aces, modern powerful lifts, rental of the necessary equipment, the best ski schools, medical centers, ice rinks, swimming pools with heated water, hotels and apartments. Gourmets are waiting for excellent restaurants and cozy cafes, and in your free time from skiing you will not be bored with shops for every taste, discos, cinema halls and other components of a modern youth sports resort.
How to get there
The Baqueira-Bere resort is located in the east of the Aran Valley. You can get here from the nearest airports in Toulouse (France) – 166 km, about 2 hours’ drive, and from Barcelona – about 350 km, further by car about 4 hours. There is a bus from Barcelona to Viel 3 times a day, the journey time is 6 hours. You can also get there through Biarritz, although its airport is located further from Barcelona in distance, but it is less time-consuming.
Resorts of Spain – Baqueira-Beret
Climate in Baqueira Beret
The skiing season at the resort lasts from December to April. Snow in the mountains lies until the end of April. And when spring is already blooming with bright colors in the valleys, there are still many skiers in the mountains, on the ski slopes. The proximity of the Atlantic Ocean provides stable snow cover, which is supported by a developed network of artificial snow cannons, more than 500 of them are installed here.
Historical background on Baqueira-Beret
The Aran Valley, where the resort is located, was so isolated from the outside world even in the recent past that its own language – Aran – was formed and preserved among its inhabitants. However, experts often consider it a dialect of Catalan. Even today, the Aran language is used in education in schools, and it is also used in everyday language by local authorities.
For a long time, the valley had a stronger connection with France than with Spain. But the local cuisine, recognized all over the world, was also influenced by Spain and France.
Skiing in Baqueira Beret
The tracks are quite enough for skiing for a week, and if it snows, then two: the resort has a large off-piste skiing area.
Ski-pass for 6 days – about 90 euros, but the price of the ski pass is included in the price of staying at the hotel.
There is a half pipe for snowboarders, but it is better to just ride off-piste.
The Baqueira-Beret ski station was located on Lady Mountain, in the Aran Valley. The station consists of 3 large parts:
Baqueira is the starting point for skiing with ideal conditions for skiing. There are classic tracks of all difficulty levels. Baqueira has five prepared steep “black” tracks and almost vertical couloirs. The Manaud track is of greatest interest. Very popular off-piste slope “Eskornakrabes”, it will appeal to strong and medium skiers. The tracks “Luis Arias” and “Tubo Nere” are steep and hilly, and the Spanish mogul team trains on them.
The training slopes “Rabad” and “Pastores” are located in the Baqueira sector, but they have to be reached by lifts.
Beret offers ideal conditions on wide tracks. Tourists can enjoy trails of all levels for group skiing, paragliding, cross-country skiing and dog sledding.
Bonaigua has the Teso de Mina complex. It is located on another slope of Baqueira-Beret. It provides excellent conditions for both experienced and beginner skiers, as well as for families with children. There are tracks for freestyle and all levels of difficulty for ski walks. In Bonaigua there are two wonderful “blue” runs, quite steep for their category – “Llanza” and “Argull’s Bees”, they offer a wonderful view of the Aran Valley. However, the views here are beautiful everywhere: on the wide and long “red” tracks of Baqueira, there are also places to take pictures.
The resort has 77 km of prepared tracks: 9% of them are difficult, 48% are of an intermediate level and 43% are designed for beginners.
24 lifts have a high capacity and serve 31,000 people per hour.
The resort is considered the owner of one of the best ski schools in Spain. More than two hundred instructors teach people of different age groups and different levels of skating.
There are 3 children’s parks organized in Baqueira-Beret. In Baqueira, the park is designed for the education of 45 children at the same time. In Beret, the park is located next to the control center and is designed for the education of 30 children. And in Bonaigua, the park is located opposite the service center, and training is conducted for 8 children at the same time. Education is conducted in a game form, starting from the age of 2.
Sights in Baqueira Beret and surroundings
While walking along the paths of the Baqueira-Beret resort, you can’t help but drop by the local chapels and basilicas of the early Christian era. These sights undeservedly missed by guidebooks contain amazing surprises for the observant and inquisitive traveler. The vaults and interior walls of these buildings are decorated with many beautiful and unique frescoes, undamaged by the various conquerors who passed by Baqueira Beret. At a time when there were no newspapers, no television, and even more so the Internet, frescoes served as a certain means of providing information, thanks to which the local mountain population actually learned about the surrounding world.
Modern residents of the resort organize and support several museums, including the museum of skiing. In the museum, there is an opportunity to learn about its origin, formation and development, as well as to listen to a story about various types of ski equipment, equipment and equipment.
Built by the Garonne River, the city of Vieille is the capital of the Aran region. The beauty of the streets and buildings, especially in the old part of the city, makes Vijela an ideal place to relax.
Excursions and all opportunities for active recreation in Baqueira-Beret
The slopes of the mountains in the resort are gentle, so it is good for sports skiing. Here it is nice to walk on snowshoes, as well as go on dog sleds or snowmobiles. Skiers have excellent opportunities for freeriding, half-pipe, heli-skiing and snowboarding.
Skiing Buckeira Beret
The ski station is located on a mountain called Lady, it consists of three rather large parts. Baqueira can be called the starting point for skiing, as here you will find tracks of any level of difficulty. Excellent conditions await skiers on the wide tracks of Bereta. Here, tourists can ride in groups, and also organize parachuting, dog sledding or cross-country skiing. Teso de Mina is a complex located in Bonaigua. This complex stands on the opposite slope of Baqueira-Beret. Families with children, beginners in skiing, and professionals can relax here.
In general, approximately 77 kilometers are prepared trails, of which approximately 9% are the most difficult, 48% of the trails are designed for intermediates, and 43% are for beginners. There are 24 lifts here, they have a good capacity, the lifts serve 31,000 skiers per hour.
At this resort, you can practice in one of the best Spanish ski schools. More than 200 instructors are at your disposal, they will put you on skis regardless of your age and skiing experience.
Vacation at a ski resort
Vacation at a ski resort
Paragliders fly here all year round. In the summer, the resort is usually used for mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, and mountaineering. Hiking is done by lovers of mountain lakes, rivers and waterfalls. There are also opportunities for golfing here.
The resort has an ice skating rink, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and a sports center. Prices are generally higher here than at nearby resorts.
Hotel pools
Hotel pools
Mountain lakes with clear water, rivers with waterfalls draw here lovers of mountain walks (hiking). The clear air, filled with the flowering of various herbs, firs and pines, makes walking along the mountain paths healing for health.
If desired, active recreation in the mountains is replaced by leisurely and aristocratic golf. Many sports teams, which hold meetings, competitions and cup meetings here, are partly to blame for the fact that the golf courses are not empty.
Among other things, a crèche for children from 3 months is available to vacationers. In the resort area there is an ice skating rink, a sports center, a swimming pool, and a bowling alley.
Car and housing rental
It will be possible to rent a car if you want to go to the resort on your own upon arrival in Barcelona. Then at the airport you can take the desired car, the average cost will be from 200 hryvnias per day. It is very convenient to book a car in advance via the Internet, then with a higher probability you will rent the right car, and you can also get an additional discount of about 10%. To make a reservation, you need to enter your data and a voucher will be sent to the specified e-mail address. This voucher must be presented at the rental point, as well as a passport and international driver’s license, a credit card.
The resort is popular and the prices there are higher than in neighboring resorts.
The resort offers vacationers accommodation in 2*-5* hotels and apartments.
Resort hotels
Baqueira Beret hotels
Rafaelhoteles By La Pleta 5-star hotel
Hotel La Pleta is an exclusive hotel with a spa. It is located on the territory of the Baqueira-Beret ski resort in Lleida. It offers luxurious rooms with views of the Pyrenees.
The bright rooms at Rafaelhoteles by La Pleta feature a plasma TV with satellite channels and a DVD player. Each room has free toiletries, a bathrobe and slippers.
Among the facilities of the La Pleta hotel is a spa salon, which offers various types of massage and cosmetic procedures, a gym and an indoor pool. The hotel has 3 restaurants, several cafes and a bar with a terrace.
Hotel La Pleta has a ski shop on site, and the hotel itself can arrange shuttle service to the ski slopes and ski equipment rental. Concierge services are also offered, including the organization of various cultural events and outdoor activities. The city of Lleida can be reached in less than 3 hours. The trip to Toulouse takes less than 2.5 hours.
Hotel Val de Neu GL 5-star hotel
Hotel Val de Neu GL is located in the first-class ski resort of Baqueira Beret, 50 meters from the ski lift. It offers free ski storage and luxury rooms/suites with views of the ski slopes.
The hotel has 4 restaurants: La Fondue (traditional mountain cuisine), El Bosque (international cuisine), El Bistro (light meals) and La Nonna (Italian cuisine).
Guests have access to a relaxation area with a fireplace and sofas. Massage, beauty and thermal treatments can be booked at the luxurious Sisley Spa. There is a hot tub outside.
The children’s area includes a swimming pool, a mini club and a children’s restaurant. Babysitting services are provided. Guests can take skiing lessons, rent ski equipment and buy ski passes.
All rooms and suites are spacious and stylishly decorated. The royal suites are decorated with luxurious decor elements, including Swarovski diamonds. Amenities include a minibar, coffee maker, free Wi-Fi and a choice of pillows.
Tuc Blanc 3-star hotel
Hotel Tuc Blanc is located next to the Baqueira Beret ski slopes. Guests are offered free mountain skiing lessons with experienced instructors. The hotel is located in the picturesque Aran Valley, just 14 kilometers from Vielle.
The convenient location of Tuc Blanc, directly opposite the ski slopes, makes it an ideal location for winter sports.
The hotel also has an indoor pool and hot tub. The spa center offers cosmetic procedures and physiotherapy. In addition, guests can visit the sauna and Turkish bath.
Guests are served breakfast with a wide range of products, including orange juice.
The Tuc Blanc Hotel has a ski rental shop and a hairdresser.
Eira Ski Lodge 4-star hotel
Offering ski-to-door access, Eira Ski Lodge is located in Baqueira Beret. It features a terrace, a shared lounge and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is located 3.7 km from the Baqueira Beret ski resort, 100 m from Esquiros and 200 m from the Mirador. The hotel has a ski pass sales point.
A full English breakfast is served each morning. During the ski season, the price of accommodation includes 3-course dinners 6 times a week. In summer, only breakfast is served.
An array of activities can be enjoyed in the surroundings, including skiing, cycling and hiking.
The hotel is 200 meters from Era Cabana and 200 meters from La Choza.
Entertainment and nightlife
At the resort, you can not only actively spend time, but also have a lot of fun. Here you can visit any of the four discos or all of them, and 7 restaurants and 18 bars have been built in the town. In general, the entire valley is popular for its restaurants.
The symbol of Aran cuisine is rich “Aran soup” with peas, chickpeas, several types of meat and sausages – and healing power for continuing feats on the slopes. It – and other local dishes – are served in all the restaurants on the mountain: Cap del Port, La Borda de Lobato, Altitude 1800 and Ticolet. The best restaurants also include the most expensive restaurant in the country, Casa Irene , which is located in Arties. It is in this restaurant that the royal family likes to dine. You can try local and international cuisine at Tih Taro, try Basque cuisine at La Sal Gorda or Parador.
Restaurant interior
Levantino-Vulcano restaurant
Restaurants in Baqueira Beret
Conclusion
Baqueira-Beret is a modern ski resort. On its slopes you can meet classic skiers, snowboarders, freestyle fans, extremes who land on virgin slopes from helicopters and young skiers with a nipple in their mouth.