Skiing Spain

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Ski powder in Spain (Pyrenees Heliskiing)
Ski powder in Spain (Pyrenees Heliskiing)
Ski Spain
Ski Spain's largest resort, Baqueira Beret.
Ski & snowboard Spain at Boi Taull resort.
Ski & snowboard Spain at Boi Taull resort.
At 3300m, Sierra Nevada ski resort is Spain
At 3300m, Sierra Nevada ski resort is Spain's highest.
Spain has double black steeps to challenge all (Baqueira Beret).
Spain has double black steeps to challenge all (Baqueira Beret).
Espot is one of Spain
Espot is one of Spain's many small secret stash ski resorts.
Candanchu ski resort is another of Spain
Candanchu ski resort is another of Spain's great options.
Eat tapas/pintxos when skiing or snowboarding Spain.
Eat tapas/pintxos when skiing or snowboarding Spain.
Mix skiing & history in Spain.
Mix skiing & history in Spain.
Ski in the morning & hit the coast in the afternoon in Spain.
Ski in the morning & hit the coast in the afternoon in Spain.
Visit the Alhambra in Granada when skiing at Sierra Nevada.
Visit the Alhambra in Granada when skiing at Sierra Nevada.
Spain skiing (Baqueira Beret).
Spain skiing (Baqueira Beret).
Enjoy the "big mountain, small resort experience" whilst skiing at Boi Taull.
Enjoy the "big mountain, small resort experience" whilst skiing at Boi Taull.
Enjoy off piste diversity at Baqueira Beret in the Spanish Pyrenees.
Enjoy off piste diversity at Baqueira Beret in the Spanish Pyrenees.
Sierra Nevada resort village in southern Spain.
Sierra Nevada resort village in southern Spain.
Powder ski Spain (Pyrenees Helisking).
Powder ski Spain (Pyrenees Helisking).
Heliski in Spain with Pyrenees Heliskiing.
Heliski in Spain with Pyrenees Heliskiing.
Boi Taull ski resort, Spain.
Boi Taull ski resort, Spain.
Ski Sierra Nevada, Spain.
Ski Sierra Nevada, Spain.
Ski Spain (Pyrenees Heliskiing).
Ski Spain (Pyrenees Heliskiing).

Skiing Spain

Backcountry Books Ski & Snowboard Guide Books & Maps

Spain Ski Resorts

Alp 2500 La Molina/Masella
Baqueira Beret
Boi Taull
Candanchu
Cerler
Espot
Formigal
Panticosa
Sierra Nevada
Vallter 2000

    La Molina Masella (Alp 2500) Ski Trail Map
  • La Molina Masella (Alp 2500) Ski Trail Map
    Bacqueira Beret Ski Trail Map
  • Baqueira Beret Trail Map
    Sierra Nevada Ski Trail Map
  • Sierra Nevada Trail Map
    Espot Ski Trail Map
  • Espot Ski Trail Map
    Boi Taull Ski Trail Map
  • Boi Taull Ski Trail Map

Ski Spain

Ski Spain for the perfect combination of mountains, snow, sun,, culture, food & fun. Skiing in Spain can be a wonderful tonic to escape the 'corporate marijuana ladder' (the more you suck the higher you get!)(Blicky, 2018)

It is hard to believe that a country associated with hot summer climes & a dry interior has numerous world class ski resorts, but 'hola', Spain has it all (and at both ends too). 

For powderhounds, the Spanish ski terrain can also provide some serious undertakings. Terrain wise, it is one of the few places in Europe that has marked & named double black diamond expert runs, not to mention numerous ski routes. But not to fear, like every good European ski region, all resorts cater mostly for beginner & intermediate skiers & snowboarders, leaving the experts to find their own adventures off piste.

Full participation in the Spain ski scene requires one to assimilate with the local evening eating $ drinking habits. Get used to tapas & drinks til 9pm, dinner from 9 to 1am &then perhaps hitting a club for a spot of dancing. Of course, that means that the first tracks brigade can be a bit thin on the ground in the morning. Good! Those who wake first, take first! (Snowcreep, 2018)

The Powderhounds will be skiing several Spanish ski resorts in 2019. We can't wait to check out the snow & terrain, but also the after ski fun, food & sangria!

Spain Ski Resorts

It may come as a surprise to most that Spain has over 30 ski resorts, at least 20 of which offer enough to be attractive to international visitors.

Spain's largest single ski resort is Baqueira Beret in the Catalonia Pyrenees. The resort's 162km of marked trails include expert routes on a 1000m skiable vertical spread across a sprawling 11km of mountain peaks over 2500m elevation. 

The highest ski area in Spain is also the most southerly. Sierra Nevada northerly aspect alpine terrain up to 3300m just below the Veleta peak at 3398m. Not only has Sierra Nevada got 1200m of skiable vertical & over 110km of marked piste trails, it is also close to Granada (with its intriguing history) & the beach at Salobreña on the Mediterranean.

The other major Spanish ski resorts of note include:
  • La Molina-Masella - 141km of piste, 915m vertical;
  • Formigal - 137km of piste, 675m vertical, lift pass connected to the smaller Panticaosa
  • Cerler - 81km of piste, 1125m vertical.

The Candanchu & Boí Taüll ski resorts have a wonderful balance of high elevation plus terrain for all abilities & whilst not as large as the aforementioned, look to be potential Powderhounds delights. Similarly, the small resorts of Espot & Vallter 2000 look to have some appealing on & off piste powder skiing opportunities for a cheap price. Tiny Tavascan ski resort provides superb lift access to a vast off piste & backcountry that will enthuse the more adventurous.

For more information on each resort click the links in the text above or in the left column.

Spain Snow & Weather

Spain is often bathed in sunshine, so definitely bring the SPF50 when skiing there. As for the snow, often when the Alps are bereft of snow, the Pyrenees are getting pounded & end up with a deep base. In fact the Pyrenees have a higher average annual snow fall than most of the Alps. Always pays to keep one's eye on the weather & adjust plans accordingly. Always be ready to head to Spain to chase some powder.

It is sad but true that like many parts of the world, the snow pack in some parts of Spain has been in a slow decline since the 1970s. That said, all of Spain's major ski resorts have a combination of factors to ensure good skiing conditions for most of the season. North aspect ski terrain, terrain above 2000m elevation & modern snowmaking chief among them.

Where are Spanish Ski Resorts Located?

Spanish ski resorts are located at both ends of the country with a smattering of smaller resorts in the centre near Madrid. All of the northern Spain ski resorts are best accessed via Barcelona or Toulouse in France.

The vast majority of the ski resorts in Spain are in the north of the country in the central Pyrenees along the border with France & Andorra, plus the ranges fronting the Atlantic coast near the Picos de Europa National Park. 

It is no surprise that there are many wonderful Spanish ski resorts in the high Pyrenees mountain regions of Aragon & Catalonia to the east & west of Andorra. 

In Catalonia, east of Andorra, the interlinked La Molina - Masella (Alp 2500) holds sway with the small Vallter 2000. To the west within a few hours drive are a nest of great ski resorts including Espot, Boí Taüll and the huge Baqueira Beret

Further west in Aragon are another group of ski resorts hard up on the border with France including Cerler, Candanchu, Formigal & its close neighbour Panticosa.

The only ski resort in the south of Spain is Sierra Nevada, near iconic Granada & its famous Alhambra Palace. Flights to Granada are generally via Barcelona or Madrid.

Heliskiing Spain

Heliskiing in the Pyrenees is possible out of Vielhu near Baqueira Beret ski resort. Ski descents of up to 1500m vertical from a top elevation of 3000m are possible. More information coming soon.

Spain Ski Accommodation

Access the majority of the larger ski resorts of Spain is inevitably via Barcelona airport. Barcelona is a fantastic travel destination in its own right and makes for a wonderful start or finish point to any skiing holiday.

Search & book Barcelona accommodation here.

Just as in the majority of French ski resorts, Spanish skiing areas have a tendency toward apartment style accommodation as opposed to hotels & guesthouses. Anyone looking for accommodation with meals included needs to look a little harder at the offerings. See below for accommodation links to two of Spain's premier ski resorts. Local nearby villages can often provide a more authentic & enjoyable lodging experience than in the ski resorts. Search a bit wider on the maps!

Search & book Bacqueira Beret ski accommodation here.

Search & book Sierra Nevada ski accommodation here.

Reasons to Ski & Snowboard Spain

Why ski Spain? Lets face it, many people ski the same parts of the world every year. And whilst they may have good reason to do so (i.e. waist deep powder), why not change it up & go somewhere different. Spain is different, but also very familiar to most Anyone can ski in Canada, Austria & Japan, time to get to Spain for some serious sliding in real mountains with great food & drink for a fraction of the cost.
  • The perfect combination of snow, sun, culture, food & fun;
  • Food, food, glorious food - the Spanish do food as good or better than anyone & for a fraction of the cost;
  • Ski double back chutes & party till the wee hours at Baqueira Beret;
  • Deep, consistent snow packs in the Pyrenees;
  • Explore beautiful Pyrenees mountain villages & towns like Ainsa;
  • Great value lift tickets & accommodation;
  • Ski powder, explore the ancient Alhambra Palace & swim in the sea on the same day at Sierra Nevada;
  • Heli Skiing in the Pyrenees;
  • Mountain hut ski touring (Carros de Foc) near Espot;
  • Diverse cultural experiences in the cities and countryside;
  • And did we mention food........... so many varieties of tapas/pintxos, paella, chorizo & jamon all washed down with litres of sangria!

Tours in or near Spain

Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area Tours

Baqueira Off Piste Discover
GUIDED OFF-PISTE SKIING
Private or Mixed (Shared) Group
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Full day guided off-piste skiing for all abilities at Spain's premier ski resort, Baqueira Beret. Long descents of 1,100m vertical, comprising open easy slopes, forests, bowls, gullies, couloirs make this playground a freeride paradise. Private singles or groups apply for your best dates, or join another group.
Price p/p From price based on a group of 6 people.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 81
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Freeride Week Baqueira Beret
MULTI-DAY GUIDED OFF-PISTE SKIING
4 Ski Days | Private Group
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Enjoy 4 full days exploring Spain's premier ski resort & freeride paradise, Baqueira Beret. After long descents of 1,100m vertical in open easy slopes, forests, bowls, gullies, & couloirs, you are then transported back to the resort by taxi & snowmobile. Private singles or groups apply for your best dates ....
Price p/p From price based/person in a group of 6 people.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 400
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See all Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area tours that visit Spain here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Pyrenees Ski Tour - Carros de Foc Circuit
GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOUR
7 Days | 6 Nights | 5 Ski Days
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Fully hosted & guided small group backcountry ski touring in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, one of the most beautiful in the Spanish Pyrenees. Stay in mountain huts & ski untracked powder. Private singles or groups apply for your best dates. or join a group.
Price p/p From price based on 2 nights hotel & 4 nights shared hut lodgings in a private group of 4 to 6 guests.
Base/invoice currency is in CHF inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,204
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See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Spain here