Formigal is one of the most functional ski resorts in Spain . Not so long ago it underwent reconstruction, it is territorially located near the town of Salen de Gallego, which is located in the valley of Balle de Tena. The valley itself is part of the Western Pyrenees, located just five kilometers from the French border. This resort is considered the largest in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. In 2008, the base hosted the World Junior Skiing Championship, and in 2010, the European Cup final. Even the current king of Spain, Philip VI, a well-known mountain skier, was spotted on the local slopes several times.
Today, Formigal is a small town that is being developed and built exclusively for the ski complex of the same name. The heart of Formigal is a small built-up residential area around which many hotels and restaurants are concentrated. It is from there that the cable car takes its way, which takes everyone to the skiing area. The highest point of this ski complex is one of the peaks reaching a height of 2,250 meters, and the lowest station is located at an altitude of 1,510 meters above sea level.
This range allowed the creators of the ski resort to deploy several tracks on its territory at once, which are intended for both professionals and those who just conquer the rocky peaks with the help of skis.
The total length of tracks that attract extremes from all over the world is almost 140 kilometers. Today, Formigal is a well-established operation of lifts, a high-quality snowmaking system, well-maintained tracks and excellent service that meets the highest international requirements.
How to get there
Naturally, the question arises: how to get to this wonderful ski resort? The nearest airports are in Pamplona (160 km), Zaragoza (165 km), Barcelona (375 km) and Madrid (493 km). Aerophobes or simply lovers of ground transport can reach Formigal from almost anywhere in Spain by bus, train or car. Sabignanigo (35 km) and Huesca (90 km) have the nearest railway and bus stations, Jaque (57 km) has only a bus station. For those traveling by car, the resort has four free parking lots.
Climate in Formigal
The climate in Formigal is classified as moderate. This is explained by sunny and mild winters, as well as warm and cloudless summers. During the winter tourist peak, which is from November to April, the air temperature on the territory of Formigal ranges from +4 to + 10 0 C , and at the same time, in the residential area, the thermometer can rise to + 15 0 C.
The winter period in Formigal is characterized by small gusts of wind and clear weather. In the summer, the resort bathes in the sun, because already in May the air temperature begins to rise noticeably. By July, it can warm up to + 38 0 C. Similarly, in summer, you can note morning fogs and a small season of precipitation, which will last two weeks and begin at the end of May.
History of Formigal
Development of the territory of this settlement began more than fifty years ago. It was then that small investors decided to build a ski resort, which soon began to attract restaurateurs and hotel owners. A couple of years later, the first gastronomic centers and a couple of hotels appeared on the territory of Formigal.
At first, this ski resort attracted only the Spaniards themselves. It was small, located not so far from big cities, and most importantly, it was relatively budget-friendly. However, not so long ago Formigal came under the management of the large Aramon corporation, which also manages the Aramon Zerler, Valdelinares and Pantikosa ski resorts.
Immediately after such changes, the ski resort began to develop and be built, many new facilities appeared, and the Formigal ski resort began to attract not only local, but also foreign tourists.
However, despite this, the development of the settlement itself has not moved, no new socially important places are being built on the territory of the residential area, and the number of local residents living on the territory of the resort on a permanent basis does not exceed 200 people.
Tracks, slopes, lifts
So, some technical data. There are a total of 137 km of tracks of various difficulty levels (7 green, 18 blue, 33 red, 39 black, 3 tracks for snowmobiles, 2 for cross-country skiing, 1 for sleds, 1 track for snowboard cross). Some routes with lighting. The highest skiing point is 2,250 m, the lowest is 1,510 m. There are 21 ski lifts in Formigal with a total capacity of 36,860 skiers per hour. Every night, 16 snow plowing machines work on the tracks. 30 km of tracks out of the above-mentioned 137 are made of artificial snow supported by 440 snow cannons. The ski season lasts from November to April.
Formigal is divided into four zones – the valley of Tres Ombres or Crestas, Iass or Sarrios, Anayet and Portalet. Each zone has a good entrance and parking. In addition, there is a constant free bus connection from Formigal to the main skiing areas.
What else can you do on the slopes of Formigal?
Views of the Formigal ski resort (Huesca, Spain)
Ski slopes are always suitable for many types of people, and although the main thing, or at least the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about this type of slope, is that we find good skiing terrain. It is true that we can do many other interesting things as well.
Then we want to tell you about the exceptional activities that you have on the ski slope in Formigal, which are not directly related to skiing:
Ice Karting : a very fun activity that consists of driving a painting on a frozen track at your own pace. A place where you are the main character and you are in control of a car that you are sure to love. You can also do short races with friends or with other people on the track.
Waterproof Fortress : An activity you can do on a specialized track so you can descend it with specialized snow. Both adults and children can climb here, so it is an ideal option for a family vacation any day of the year.
Ski resort Aramón Formigal (Huesca, Spain)
Snowmobiles : Snowmobiles are a classic among classics, and all stations have them. It is one of the most powerful attractions where you can enjoy a race track or a walk in the snow with your family or partner.
Dog Racing : Another classic activity where there is one. Dog sledding can be found in all snow seasons and is a perfect time to enjoy with your family, especially if you bring small children along.
Igloo building : In Formigal you can recreate and have fun with classic activities and choose this way of fun. By building an igloo in the snow, you will not only have a fun day, but you can also show that you are a “craftsman” and that nothing can stand before you, and that if you had to live in the snow, you could always build igloo. Survive within.
Where to sleep in Formigal?
In Formigal we can do a lot and of course if we pass through Huesca and want to know one of the best snow seasons, we come to spend a few days or at least have a good time. However, there is something very important that we should know every time we go somewhere on a trip or visit: where to sleep.
In the case of Formigal, we will not have any problems finding accommodation, because, given that this station has become one of the largest ski resorts in Spain and its surroundings, it is fully equipped for recreation.
The Tena Valley, which is right where Formigal Station is, has plenty of places to stay. From real luxury accommodations to student dormitories we can see in this place, so there is no problem, as you will not only have kilometers of tracks to enjoy the snow, but also, thanks to the various facilities that are in the area, you can enjoy the snow also from the room you book.
If you want to book a hotel in Formigal, you have many websites on the Internet or travel agencies that will inform you about the cheapest and best accommodations in the area.
Abba Formigal 4-star hotel
Hotel Abba Formigal is located in the picturesque area of Huesca. Guests can enjoy an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in the heart of the Pyrenees.
The hotel is located in Formigal. Guests are provided with everything they need for a complete rest. After a hard day spent on the ski slopes, a massage, hydromassage bath and Turkish bath will restore your strength.
On the terrace, which offers a stunning view of the Pyrenees, you can drink an aperitif and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
In summer, you can swim in the public outdoor pool of Formigal, located 20 meters from the hotel.
Hotel Saliecho 4-star hotel
Hotel Saliecho is located in the ski resort of Formigal in the Aragon region. Guests enjoy free access to the spa, gym and heated swimming pools. Various free guided tours are offered during the summer.
Rooms at Hotel Saliecho are decorated in a charming country style, with wooden floors and wooden furniture. Central heating, satellite TV and a minibar are at your disposal in each room.
In addition, the on-site Ondarribia restaurant serves delicious regional cuisine and serves a daily breakfast buffet. There is also a snack bar with an open terrace and a beautiful view of the mountains.
The Saliecho Hotel spa is equipped with outdoor and indoor pools, contrasting showers and a sauna. Massage and beauty treatments are available upon request.
The hotel is located in the Pyrenees, just 6 km from the border with France. It is an ideal place for hiking, rafting and skiing. Hotel Saliecho also offers ski storage and ski hire. In winter, a free shuttle to the ski slopes is provided.
Hotel Yoy Villa de Sallent 4-star hotel
Hotel Villa de Sallent is located in the resort of Formigal in the Tena Valley. The distance to the Formigal ski station is only 500 m. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the territory.
Rooms at Hotel Sallent are decorated in a traditional style. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a safe. The bathroom has a bathtub, a hairdryer, slippers and a bathrobe. Some rooms have a balcony and/or mountain view.
Guests have free access to the fitness center and spa. Spa facilities include a heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, hammam, steam shower and aromatherapy. Procedures and massages are available upon request and for an additional fee.
El Capricho de Fidel restaurant serves a variety of local and national cuisine. In addition, guests have access to a bar and a terrace with a view of the Pyrenean landscapes.
In summer, the surrounding area is famous for its natural beauty.
During the ski season, guests can make use of a ski storage room, mini club and free boot dryers. A free shuttle service is provided to the ski slopes of Formigal. In addition, in winter, guests are provided with an exclusive bad press for cars 20 km from the hotel.
HG Alto Aragón 4-star hotel
This ultra-luxury hotel is located in the Aragonese Pyrenees, 5 minutes’ drive from the Formigal ski resort . An indoor swimming pool and a gym are at guests’ disposal. The windows offer a picturesque view of the Tena Valley. Free shuttle service to the ski station is provided.
The elegantly decorated rooms at Hotel HG Alto Aragón have a private bathroom. Some of them have a spacious terrace or a sloping ceiling. Other amenities include a heating system, a laptop safe, a minibar and a plasma TV with satellite channels.
It offers a cafe bar, a game room, a mini club for children, a souvenir shop and a free Wi-Fi zone. A breakfast buffet with a variety of regional and international dishes is served every morning in the hotel restaurant. The restaurant also prepares meals in the presence of guests.
You can buy ski passes and use the ski storage room at the hotel. In summer, excursions and other activities are organized for guests. Guests can order various massage and beauty treatments, as well as relax in the hot tub and swim in the heated indoor pool.
The Alto Aragón Hotel is a 50-minute drive from Jaca and an 80-minute drive from Huesca. Po-Pyrénées Airport is 65 km away.
Sights of the resort
The main attraction of Formigal is its ski resort. It is this sports ground that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, it is a place for entertainment and active recreation, as well as an area where, at an altitude of more than two thousand meters above sea level, you can enjoy incredible natural landscapes and untouched natural beauties.
The main tourist peak is from November to April. That’s when the ski resort is ready to present about ninety-seven tracks that can be conquered by both beginners and professional skiers. Also, on the territory of the sports complex, a ski school, an open-air skating rink, an area for dog sledding and a couple of small slides for young visitors are opened.
The town of Salen de Gallego is located near Formigal, it is also a favorite place for many tourists who go to conquer the slopes of the ski complex. Salen de Gallego also has a spa hotel, located near the thermal springs, which are equally popular with both Spaniards and visitors to the Aragon region.
Naturally, there is no shortage of cafes, bars and restaurants in Formigal. If you forgot to take something or simply didn’t have time to buy, no problem – there are two equipment rental points, not to mention all kinds of shops. There is even a pre-Romanesque church of the 11th century, which was carefully moved here literally stone by stone from the abandoned mountain village of Basaran.
Formigal: excursions and activities
Formigal is a compact settlement, which is why no tourist excursions are conducted on its territory. However, every week there is a tour bus from the ski resort to Huesca, a fairly old city with a rich history and a large number of architectural and religious monuments and buildings. The cost of the excursion starts from 20 euros and can reach 50 euros. Such a range of prices depends entirely on the saturation of the program and on the number of applicants.
Huesca
Formigal is a resort that is really stingy with excursions, however, the events organized on its territory are so bright and spectacular that to some extent compensate for the lack of tourist excursions. By far the most spectacular holidays are the opening and closing days of the seasons. On November 1 and April 1, residents and guests of Formigal will be treated to a real holiday with raffles, gifts, fun music, dog sledding, Spanish dances and contests.
It is noteworthy that on these days in many restaurants you can notice huge discounts or receive gifts in the form of desserts or cocktails. In addition to the fact that the resort celebrates the opening and closing of the season on a grand scale, Christmas is celebrated in Formigal, then all the hotels and buildings are transformed, local residents and employees dress up as fairy-tale characters, and in the evening, a bright and long firework starts to sparkle over the settlement.
Formigal: entertainment and active recreation
Entertainment and active recreation in Formigal are presented in the ski complex of the same name. This sports ground is one of the most popular in Spain. It has more than ninety tracks of varying difficulty, which are divided into tracks for beginners, amateurs with an average level and for real professionals. Also, on the territory of the Formigal ski complex, there are covered areas for playing table hockey or golf, a small area is flooded there every year, where anyone can skate or play hockey.
In addition, you can actively spend your vacation on the territory of the Fun Aragon Hills Hotel and Spa. These apartments are located in the heart of the settlement, where you can not only relax in comfortable rooms, but also visit Finnish baths, relax in the pool, do yoga or sports in the gym or use the services of specialists who are professionals in the field of spa. Also on the territory of this hotel there is an indoor court for playing tennis.
Both guests and those who are not staying at the hotel can use the services and spend their day actively on the territory of Fun Aragon Hills Hotel and Spa. In the summer, Formigal attracts not so many tourists, however, and at this time many come to the settlement for the beauty of unspoiled nature and conquering the mountainous terrain, from which an even more majestic view of the mountains opens.
In Formigal, they do not forget about the smallest guests: there are four snow parks for children from 2.5 years old, a kindergarten for children aged from 4 months to 2.5 years. Moreover, there is a babysitting service for children from 3 to 8 years old, where you just need to call to order the service.
In between rides, you can ride dog sleds, snowmobiles, or even admire the scenic views from a helicopter. For complete relaxation, you can go to the hot springs, which are only 30 km from the ski base. On the territory of the resort there is another great place for entertainment – the sports center “Portalet Park” with an area of more than 10 hectares. There you can ride on “bagels”, play paintball, go karting and snow bikes, take part in a group descent from the mountain on a sled and try your hand at building an igloo. There is also a slalom course here, where you will not only time your descent, but also make a video recording, so that later on quiet summer evenings at home you can analyze the passage of the descent, or simply admire yourself, and, of course, periodically please your relatives with this video and friends
The beautiful Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is not far away. The park deserves to be dedicated to it at least one day, when the skiing is a little boring.
Souvenirs from Formigal
Commemorative gifts and souvenirs in Formigal can be purchased only on the territory of the ski complex. Next to the cash desks is a small souvenir shop selling magnets and postcards depicting the mountains and landscapes of Formigal.
However, despite the fact that the souvenir stand seems quite large, the selection there is not so great. That is why most tourists prefer to visit food supermarkets to buy gastronomic gifts.
For example, local wines, olives and oils are very popular. In grocery stores, there are both dried and pickled fruits of the olive tree, which are not a perishable product. The price for one can usually does not exceed 1.2 euros.
Likewise, many tourists prefer to bring jars of creams and mud from Formigal . They are sold in the spa area of the Fun Aragon Hills Hotel and Spa. Their cost starts from 5 euros and can reach 40 euros.
Conclusion
What associations do you have with the word “Spain”? Probably bullfights, endless hot beaches, flamenco, paella, jamon… Gaudi, on the skinny end… And what about the crisp snow sparkling under the bright sun, dazzling snow-white mountain peaks, perfect ski slopes for every taste, snowboarders flying on dizzying speed, or children running around in the snow? No, we didn’t get lost, we didn’t confuse the countries, and we definitely didn’t go crazy. All of the above is also in Spain. Come to the ski resort of Formigal in winter and you will find happiness, or rather snow!