Valdelinares is considered the southernmost and most compact of all ski resorts in Spain belonging to the Aramon skiing area. It is located at an altitude of just under 1,700 meters above sea level, in the snow-capped Sierra da Gudari mountains. Valdelinaress is considered one of the most high-altitude villages in Spain.
Today on the territory of this resort it is impossible to find loud discos, crowded gastronomic centers or crowded hotels, against the background of similar ski resorts, Valdelinares is developed much worse.
However, this settlement still attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, because it is here that the majestic nature has been preserved in its original form. In this place there is real silence, peace and tranquility, which give an opportunity to rest from the hustle and bustle of noisy cities. This resort has long been stormed by families with children, beginner skiers and all those who are looking for a calm and measured rest in nature.
However, despite this, the ski complex itself is built and equipped according to the latest technology, every year the employees of the ski complex update the equipment, monitor the latest innovations, and also provide the newest and most modern equipment and other necessary equipment for rent.
What is interesting to see in Valdelinares?
Since Valdelinares is a resort-type village, there are practically no monuments and memorial places on its territory. The most important, visited and interesting place is the resort zone – the ski complex of the same name, which attracts tourists from all over the world.
Today, the sports ground has 14 tracks, the length of which is only 9 kilometers. In addition to this attraction, people go to Valdelinares for the opportunity to touch untouched nature: many rivers, thermal springs, mountainous terrain, wild animals and rare plants – where else can you enjoy natural beauty so close?
As for architectural monuments, many visitors prefer to walk around the town square, where there are several shops and quite interesting sculptures in the form of skiers. At the exit from Valdelinares is the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto.
It is closed on weekdays, but on weekends there is a service, however, most often the ministers of this spiritual abode are not used to following the schedule and can start or finish the service in a completely free time schedule.
Valdelinares: excursions and activities
Since there are practically no interesting places on the territory of the resort, sightseeing tours of the village are not conducted here. However, for all those who want to diversify their skiing holiday, there are sightseeing tours to nearby big cities. The bus departs from Valdelinares at 5:00 a.m. from the Vicenta Hotel, where the tour registration takes place.
It is noteworthy that excursion buses depart from Valdelinares only if there is a full group. The cost of such a tour depends entirely on the city to which the group is going, but at the same time it does not exceed 45euro;. From Valdelinares, tour groups go to Zaragoza, Teruel and, in very rare cases, Barcelona.
The biggest events in Valdelinares take place on the opening days of the ski season (November 1-4) and on the closing days (March 29-April 2). That’s when a real field kitchen is organized in Valdelinares , prizes and gifts are raffled off, and Spanish stars come to sing and dance on a small stage set up especially for them. On the last day of skiing, the visitors do not violate traditions, they stand on skis in swimsuits and slide down the track, which ends in a real pool.
The history of Valdelinares
The history of Valdelinares began three decades ago, when investors and lovers of skiing decided to develop a sports complex on the territory of the Sierra de Gudar mountain. Its construction began at a rather intensive pace and ended by 1991. At the same time, the construction of small houses began, which were built for service personnel.
Until 1995, several hotels, a pharmacy, a small doctor’s office, a couple of shops and a post office were located on the territory of Valdelinares. Today, about 150 people, who are managers and owners of hotels and restaurants, permanently live in the village of Valdelinares.
About three hundred thousand people visit the resort every year, many of whom come to rest in Valdelinares not for the first year. They note that the infrastructure of the sports complex itself is developing quite well: new equipment is purchased, modern technologies are introduced. However, the development of Valdelinares as a settlement is not planned, in any case, the construction of such socially important places as a hospital, kindergartens and schools is not even planned.
Climate in Valdelinares
The climate in Valdelinares is classified as moderate-continental. A rather characteristic border of the settlement is a great fog, both in the morning and during the day. By the evening, the fog subsides. This feature is explained by the fact that both the ski complex itself and the resort itself with a residential area are located quite high above sea level.
The sun can be seen in Valdelinares every day, but it is almost always hidden behind clouds. During the tourist season, which lasts from November to the end of March, there is practically no precipitation in Valdelinares, while high humidity is felt. In the summer, fogs practically do not envelop the resort, however, from May to June there is almost a quarterly rate of precipitation, which is accompanied by sharp gusts of wind and thunderstorms.
Hotel and apartments
On the territory of Valdelinares there are about a dozen hotles. Almost all of them have four or five stars, which is why the quality of service, cleanliness, service and other living conditions are practically identical to each other.
The only clear difference is the landscape that opens from the hotel windows. Almost half of the hotels are built in such a way that all the windows overlook the ski slopes, while the guests of the other half of the hotels admire the simple mountainous terrain from their windows.
However, the cost of almost any room, regardless of the view from the windows, is 40-60 euros.
Hotel La Vega 3-star hotel
Hotel La Vega is located in the municipality of Alcalá de la Selva, in the mountains of Serra de Gudari. It offers free parking, a small outdoor pool and a spa center with a Turkish bath, hot tub and sauna.
In the rooms of this charming, country-style hotel, you have at your disposal a private balcony, satellite TV and a minibar. All heated rooms have a private bathroom with toiletries.
Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas of Hotel La Vega. Guests can visit the cafe, play billiards in the disco pub or relax on the summer terrace in the shade of the poplars.
The hotel’s à la carte restaurant serves local cuisine. You can try local dishes such as Aragonese lamb and Teruel ham, as well as a variety of wines.
Hotel La Vega is located just 7 kilometers from the Valdelinares ski resort . Maestrasgo Natural Area is also nearby.
Hotel Esther 3-star hotel
The charming hotel is located in a picturesque location in the town of La Virgen de la Vega. The hotel has at its disposal rooms decorated in country style and a restaurant where traditional dishes of the region are prepared.
Rooms with an individual interior are available to guests, from the windows of which a view of the surrounding countryside opens. Each room has a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.
At Hotel Esther, guests can relax in the common lounge with a TV or in the café bar.
The city of Teruel is located 55 km from the hotel. The nearest ski slopes are only 8 km from the hotel.
Hotel La Trufa Negra 4-star hotel
This cozy and modern hotel is located in the heart of the Sierra de Gudari mountains, not far from the Valdelinares ski station.
This newly built and luxuriously decorated hotel offers a full range of services. The spa center offers state-of-the-art treatments. In the evening, the restaurant serves excellent dishes, most of which are prepared using truffles. The hotel is perfect for a healthy vacation.
Hotel Spa Balfagon 4-star hotel
The Balfagon Hotel & Spa is located in the mountain village of Cantavieja in the province of Teruel. It offers free Wi-Fi, a spa where you can order personalized treatments, and a wonderful restaurant with a wine cellar.
The hotel combines stylish modern decor with original features such as beamed ceilings and stone arches.
Guests are served a buffet breakfast, and you can also visit the hotel’s cafe.
All centrally heated rooms at the Balfagón Spa Hotel are air-conditioned. In addition, the rooms have a TV and a hairdryer, and some have a private balcony.
Cantavieja’s Plaza de Cristo Rey is a 5-minute walk from Hotel Balfagón. Guests can easily reach the village via the A-226 highway, which connects Teruel and Alcañis.
Apartahotel Sierra de Gudar 5-star hotel
Aparthotel Sierra de Gudar is located in Gudar. It offers a restaurant, a bar and free Wi-Fi. Among the possibilities are family rooms.
The hotel rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a kitchenette.
A continental breakfast is available every morning at Apart Hotel Sierra de Gudar.
Mora de Rubielos Municipality is 27 km from the hotel, while Rubielos de Mora is 39 km away.
Restaurants of Valdelinares
Casa Vicenta
The Casa Vicenta restaurant is located on the first floor of the hotel of the same name. Despite the fact that this institution is the “property” of the apartments, even those who are not their guests are allowed there. The restaurant is located in the central part of the resort village.
They serve fish, seafood, meat, first courses and side dishes.
Casa Vicenta’s wine list stands out, in which anyone can find cocktails to their liking. The interior of the establishment is quite pleasant, however, there is no highlight in it – it is a complete continuation of the design of the hotel itself.
The average check is 40 euros.
Casa Damian
Casa Damian is the only “independent” gastronomic establishment of the Valdelinares resort . It does not belong to the hotel and is located on the city square. Its pleasant interior, friendly atmosphere and friendly staff are the highlight of the restaurant.
The menu at Casa Damian is quite diverse, serving meat, soups, and desserts.
The crown dish of this establishment is grilled lamb, quite often the restaurant arranges promotions for this dish. The institution does not play live music, in the morning they play simple local radio, and closer to the evening they turn on jazz and classics.
The average check of the institution is low and is only 25 euros.
Valdelinares: entertainment, sports and active recreation
You can do sports and spend your time actively on the territory of the ski complex located in Valdelinares. Today, this sports area has about ten tracks designed for people with different levels of training. 3 of them are designed for beginners, 5 for visitors with an average level of training and 2 tracks for true professionals.
There is a professional ski school on the territory of the Valdelinares ski resort, where teachers teach children and adults of any age the basics of skiing and snowboarding. Lessons with a private instructor will help beginners get used to the mountain slope faster, improve their technique or learn to ski from scratch. You can also take private skating lessons here, right on the track, combining theory and practice. Due to the high demand for lessons with an instructor, we recommend booking lessons in advance on the resort’s website to better plan your visit. The ski school in Valdelinares offers both individual and group lessons for participants of different ages and levels of training. In addition, season tickets for 5 and 10 hours of skiing can be purchased at the ticket office or online. It should also be remembered that tickets to the ski resort in Valdelinares can be purchased directly at the ticket office upon arrival, without prior reservation. Skis for people with disabilities: Both children and adults with varying degrees of disability can also practice skiing thanks to a large selection of specially adapted skis for people with physical disabilities.
In the summer, the flow of tourists to Valdelinares decreases noticeably, however, at this time of the year, active recreation can be carried out on the territory of the resort and in its vicinity.
For example, rafting in a kayak or canoe on numerous rivers, bathing in the thermal springs located behind Valdelinares or conquering the mountains with the help of alpine equipment. Here it is worth noting that in the summer in the vicinity of the ski resort many climbers really gather, however, it is simply impossible to rent or buy special equipment and clothing in the village, which is why, if you decide to diversify your vacation in this way, do not forget to visit a larger city and buy everything you need there.
Transport features of Valdelinares
Valdelinares is a fairly compact settlement – you can get from one part of the resort to another in half an hour, so public transport does not run on its territory. Most local residents do not own cars, preferring to travel by bicycle or on foot. Veldelinares is connected to other cities by taxis and suburban buses.
It is noteworthy that a company providing taxi services is actually located on the territory of the village. She has four cars in her fleet. Each of them is painted white and has a red stripe. However, taxi drivers do not drive around the village, orders are accepted only for long distances.
For example, to get from Veldelinares to Zaragoza. The cost of such a trip will be about 90 euros, while the time spent on the road will be about 2 hours.
Souvenirs of Valdelinares
Valdelinares does not boast gift shops or magnets at grocery store checkouts. The only place in this settlement where a tourist can bring a souvenir is the ski resort. It is there that a small island is located, which is filled with magnets, key chains, cups and plates with symbols of the country. There you can also buy Polaroid photos depicting incredible natural beauty.
In general, tourists rarely buy something memorable in Valdelinares, mainly, they prefer to buy souvenirs in larger cities and shopping centers. However, it is worth noting that this ski resort can also be remembered by its guests.
In every shop of this village you can find many local wines, olive oils and fruits from which it is squeezed. Their cost is minimal, and the variety is so great that any gourmet would envy him. For example, when buying wine in Madrid, you will have to pay about 10-12 euros for a bottle, but when buying it in Valdelinares , you will pay only 7-8 euros.