Spain is primarily famous for its beaches and warm sea. However, this wonderful country also has excellent ski resorts, which are practically in no way inferior to the Swiss and Austrian ones, for example, one of the first resorts in Spain – La Molina.

The ski resort of Spain “La Molina” is located 160 kilometers from Barcelona, in the Val de Nuria valley, at an altitude of 1400 meters. It is located in the northeast of the country, almost only 20 km from the border with France at the foot of the mountains of Tossa, Tossa d’Alpe and Langada, which are part of the La Sierra del Cadi system. The resort is combined with the Masello station.

This resort is considered the oldest ski center in Spain. It was opened in 1909, although the first hotel opened its doors to tourists only in 1925. All these years, the resort has not stood still, but has constantly been modernized and improved.

Today, La Molina has modern facilities and infrastructure, which are constantly developing and improving. So, in 2008, La Molina hosted the Alpine Ski World Cup, and in 2011, the Snowboarding World Championship. The resort offers 44 km of slopes of various difficulty levels: 7 – “green”, 12 – “blue”, 15 – “red” and 6 – “black”, served by 13 lifts. This ski resort is well suited for beginner skiers. The complex has a fairly strong ski school.

But in the ski resort “Masella”, located 16 km from La Molina, the slopes are more professional. Fans of “serious” ski slopes ski here. These two resorts form a single skiing area Alp-2500 (Alp 2500).

The resort of Masella is home to the longest ski slope in the eastern Pyrenees, the 7-kilometer Dues Estacions mas La Plana. The total length of the slopes here is 72 km. Of the 62 slopes, most of which pass through a picturesque forest, there are 9 green, 23 blue, 22 red and 8 black. The altitude ranges from 1600 to 2535 m.

The ski resort of La Molina is well known far beyond the borders of Spain. Although it is designed for both professionals and beginners in skiing, La Molina is more famous for its difficult – black – slopes, which only well-trained athletes can overcome. They begin at an altitude of over 2500 meters – at the top of Tossa. In total, the resort has more than 40 slopes with a height difference of 875 meters – La Molina is considered one of the largest ski resorts in Spain.

How to get to La Molina?

Naturally, being in a difficult-to-reach mountainous area, getting to the resort will not be so easy. Arriving at Barcelona airport, which is located 158 kilometers away, you can order a transfer to La Molina and be there in less than three hours. You can also get to the oldest ski resort by bus – a less exciting and longer journey, which takes away precious time that could be spent on settling in a hotel or resting after the flight.

There is also a train from Barcelona to this wonderful place, the schedule of which should be checked upon arrival at the station. Buses and cars use two highways – C-16 and N – 152, which are easy to get to La Molina.

Resort infrastructure

Mountain nature always fascinates with its grandeur and splendor. Shiny, pristine snow on the peaks, the turbulent streams of a mountain river, and right next to this beautiful view is the Spanish La Molina ski resort. Here you will find all the best for winter sports enthusiasts:

many ski slopes suitable for both beginners and professional athletes;
excellent entertainment infrastructure for all generations (both for children and adults);
numerous lifts that take those wishing to ski to amazing ski slopes;
rental of sports equipment and supplies;
many schools for teaching skiing and other winter equipment;

Located 2,537 meters above sea level, and offering a great opportunity to explore the Pyrenees from top to bottom, this place is sure to please everyone. It is so luxurious that it is the favorite skiing spot of the Spanish king. The highest quality of tourist service, comfortable hotels, delicious cuisine and amazing wine, as well as countless entertainment – all this awaits you here, in the Catalan ski resort of La Molina. In summer, this resort does not stand idle: walks along the mountain river, a swimming pool, the presence of tennis courts, beautiful hikes to the peaks of the mountains and through the untouched places of the Cadi Moixero reserve and much more offers all its visitors a first-class resort.

Hotels and apartments

Guitart La Molina Aparthotel & Spa 4 star hotel

The Guitart La Molina Spa Aparthotel is located next to the ski slopes and the Pista Llarga chairlift in the resort of La Molina. The hotel is surrounded by picturesque natural landscapes that transform in the summer.

It offers modern, comfortable apartments for 2 to 8 people. The spacious and bright apartments have all the modern amenities you need for a comfortable stay in the Catalan Pyrenees.

Guests can enjoy their favourite sports at the hotel or go on an excursion to the surrounding area. Free Wi-Fi is available at reception.

The Guitart La Molina Aparthotel’s fitness centre is equipped with modern exercise equipment. Other facilities include an indoor swimming pool with panoramic views of the surroundings. The spa features a hot tub, sauna and steam room. Fitness center, pool and spa services are not included in the price of accommodation.

Hotel Solineu 3-star hotel

Hotel Solineu is located in the heart of La Molina, at the foot of the ski slopes. It includes free Wi-Fi and free DVDs.

Rooms have satellite TV with DVD player and a safe. Some rooms have a balcony with mountain views.

The Solineu has a buffet breakfast, as well as the Italian restaurant La Donatella. There is also a mountain bar serving drinks and hot chocolate. Guests can relax in the lounge with fireplace. There is also a gym.

La Molina is one of the most popular ski resorts in Spain. Ski lessons are available at the hotel. In the summer months, you can enjoy mountain biking, hiking or horse riding.

Hotel Adsera 3-star hotel

Adsera is a traditional mountain hotel located in La Molina, 2 km from the ski slopes. It offers a bar, a free gym, a sauna, a hot tub and free private parking near the slopes.

The hotel’s location is ideal for a holiday in the Cerdanya Valley at any time of the year. This traditional mountain lodge offers beautiful views.

In summer, guests can enjoy walks in the large garden, as well as in the forest and meadows around the hotel. Hotel Adsera features an outdoor pool and a water slide. Free daily excursions and other activities are offered to guests.

In winter, Hotel Adsera is ideal for those wishing to enjoy the La Molina ski resort. Hotel Adsera offers ski storage facilities on site.

Holiday Home Eiger 4 star hotel

Eiger Holiday Home is located in La Molina, 500 metres from Pista Llarga and less than 1 km from Font Canaleta, where guests can enjoy skiing. It offers a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.

The holiday home is fitted with 6 bedrooms, a TV, 3 bathrooms with a shower and a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, a microwave and a washing machine.

Popular points of interest near the holiday home include Cape Comella, Trampoli and Alpe 2500.

Apartaments Gran Vall

The Gran Vall Aparthotel is located in the La Molina ski resort in the Catalan Pyrenees. This modern aparthotel with free parking is ideal for a mountain holiday.

All apartments have a living room with a flat-screen TV. They also have a kitchen with a fridge, ceramic hob and dishwasher. All apartments have heating.

Bed linen and towels are provided free of charge. The hotel has ski storage. Children under 12 stay free of charge when using existing beds.

The apartments are located in the beautiful Cerdanya Valley, just 3 km from the French border. The popular town of Puigcerda is 10 km away.

What to do in La Molina?

The cultural program is so rich that it will satisfy the desires of any vacationer. For lovers of skiing and other winter equipment, the resort offers always clean, well-groomed slopes, which can be reached by modern comfortable lifts. For beginner skiers, there are many schools where they will teach the basics of skiing in a few days. For gourmets, there are many restaurants, cafes, bars, offering a completely diverse, both multinational and local Spanish cuisine and delicious wines. For fans of nightlife, there are discos, inviting popular DJs. Women will definitely like the clothing and accessory shops, as well as the ubiquitous souvenir shops, which have a variety of different symbolic souvenirs in their assortment. For children, the resort has a children’s ski garden, as well as a swimming pool. A peaceful, leisurely, relaxing holiday will be ensured by the presence of a sauna, a beauty salon and a spa, as well as massages and delicious and healthy cocktails and fresh juices. In the summer you can take part in a walking tour or a boat trip.

But the main attraction in La Molina is the well-groomed trails that stretch for many kilometers (some trails reach 6 km in length). The peaks of Langada, Tosa d’Alpe and Tossa are the main ones for skiing – the height from 1406 to 2537 meters allows you to place many very unusual, winding and attractive trails for alpine skiing.

Experienced skiers choose the “red” trails (there are 22 of them in La Molina), and the “pros” of alpine skiing go down the “black” – the most difficult trails. Masella is famous for its “black” trails. These trails begin almost at the top of Mount Tossa (altitude – +2535 meters), where there is an excellent “firn”, which is compressed and crystallized snow over many years. The length of these trails is 6 kilometers, and the height difference is 875 meters.

At an altitude of 1800-2000 meters, the trails are more gentle and repeat the natural relief of the mountains. These are “red” trails of medium difficulty. Even lower they turn into “blue” and “green” – the easiest trails to master. The total length of the trails of the La Molina ski resort is 60 kilometers. There are also flat ski trails 20 kilometers long. There are nine ski schools on the resort’s territory, where almost four hundred instructors teach.

For tourists with limited physical abilities, La Molina has an adapted sports center for skiers, where special equipment and 20 instructors are offered. The resort buildings are equipped with ramps and elevators. The mountain resort also does not ignore young guests: a protected slope is equipped for them, designed for children from 4 years old. You can safely take children with you on your trip.

Entertainment and attractions

In La Molina, you can book snowmobile excursions. This entertainment is suitable for any age. An instructor will help those who want to learn how to drive a snowmobile. Snowmobile rides last from 15 minutes to an hour and a half. But skiing is not prohibited at night, which will especially appeal to lovers of romance – they will be able to admire the snow-covered forest and mountains in the light of headlights. Snowmobiles can be single or double, all of them are equipped with heating. Tourists are provided with all the necessary equipment: boots, sportswear, helmet.

The resort always has hospitable restaurants, bars, shops, a kindergarten, and a medical center waiting for visitors. Tourists can go snowshoeing or take a hot air balloon ride, climb to the top of the mountain using a funicular, and also ride dog sleds.

WITH Among the local attractions, one can note the space that completely recreates the area after an avalanche. Here you can see how rescuers are trained to search for people trapped under the snow using a transceiver (electronic search engine) and learn how to act to save people within 15 minutes after an avalanche.

The star of the Catalan Pyrenees – La Molina will forever remain your favorite resort, you only need to visit it once. Good service, care for each tourist, numerous ski patrols, friendly staff, comfortable accommodations, excellent infrastructure make this resort chic, but no less accessible. This place is unforgettable, wonderful and suitable for a family vacation, because the mountain air will charge you and your family with health for a long time, and leisure at the highest level will give you the best impressions.