They say that small details make the difference. This makes Baqueira Beret a great skiing destination. Located in the Aran Valley and occupying part of the Aneu Valley, many consider this resort one of the best in Spain because of its services, cable-cars and chairlifts, slopes and length and width of the tracks. It is well known because of the good conditioning of the tracks, this allows skiers of all levels and preferences to evolve and enjoy skiing. The orientation of the resort is exceptional for the large amounts of snow that accumulate and the resort is always open to the public.

Apart from being one of the largest ski areas in Spain, it has more than 1,010 metres of altitude gain and 103 tracks (the skiable area is of 155 kilometres), that make it a great destination to enjoy a ski holiday. On the other side, if you've thought about going skiing with children, this ski resort in the Catalan Pyrenees has up to four snow parks for children.

Esquiades.com have prepared a guide that summarises the most important aspects and useful information of the Baqueira Beret ski resort.

Skiing Holidays in Baqueira Beret

Some of the most remarkable aspects of the Baqueira Beret ski resort is the good weather and its privileged mountain orientation. The Baqueira Beret ski resort, and the valley, receive the influence of the Atlantic ocean, because they are facing North.
 
The extension of the resort is over 155 skiable kilometres and has slopes for all levels, this great extension makes Baqueira a suitable resort for all types of skiers. It has got three sectors to ski in: Baqueira, Beret and La Bonaigua, which have a total of 103 ski slopes (6 green, 42 blue, 39 red and 16 black) and are all connected by cable-cars and chairlifts. So, to get to one sector to another it is very simple.

Regarding the sectors, La Bonaigua area is the furthest and is aimed for professional skiers. There, there are many "off-pistes" and areas for freeriders. If you love snowboarding and freestyle skiing, the Beret sector will be your favourite area, bringing together the two snowparks in Baqueira Beret.
 
Finally, the Baqueira sector is the oldest and the one that has the largest variety of slopes. There are green slopes to learn to ski or to enjoy your ski trip, tracks that are more complicated, including the famous black slope, 'Escornacabres', one of the most popular slopes of the resort.

Services

Families that go to Baqueira Beret, can make the most of the resort because it has 4 playgrounds, all of them count with qualified staff. In the Baqueira sector there are two parks for children: the one at 1,500 metres of altitude which is intended for children between 3 months to 2 years old and a half, and the other park located at an altitude of 1,800 metres and is aimed for children between 2 and 6 years old.

Moreover, there is another playground in the ​​Beret sector and another located in La Bonaigua. Both are open during weekends and are aimed for children over 2 years old, that can also get started in the skiing world in a fun and safe way.

As for ski equipment rental, there are 5 places that offer this service. Three of them are in Baqueira, one is located in Beret and the other in La Bonaigua.

In addition, skiers who are starting to ski, we recommend to take lessons at Era Escola (Era School). It's nearly 50 years old and has more than 200 qualified skiing instructors, this school offers nordic skiing and snowboarding lessons, both private and group lessons. This way, skiing will be easy to learn.

Activities

Other important factors that make Baquiera an excellent place to go to, is the large offer of activities guests can do after skiing. Suggestions:
 
 

Apres-ski in Baqueira Beret

"Divi" is a well-known pub in the area, ideal to enjoy some drinks with good music after a long day of skiing. If skiers are looking for some good cocktails, ''La Luna'' will be a good choice and it is possible to find a diversity of drinks and a really good atmosphere.

Snow sports lovers know that this kind of activity is tiring, even more if they are done during the entire day. So, there are some hotels in Baqueira Beret that offer a spa service and if they don't, it is also possible to relax at some of the thermal centres located in the area.

Another good alternative is to take a walk around the area. Enjoy the surroundings that the valley offers, the great panoramic views are priceless, because it's sorrounded by nature and very nice landscapes. 

How to get to Baqueira Beret

It is possible to get to Baqueira Beret using different transports. However, we are talking about a mountain area that borders France, so direct communications with the resort are limited to bus transport and the use of cars. By train or plane it is not possible to access the Aran Valley, but the destinations are nearby cities. From them, it is possible to access Baqueira Beret by taxi, car or bus.

By car, there are 4 access points that guests will have to choose from that will depend on the starting point. But before the trip starts, we recommend to check the  weather conditions.

Starting points

- Pallars, (Catalonia): going through La Bonaigua, the best option is by going through the C-28 road, which crosses the Aran Valley.
- The Vielha tunnel is 5.2 kilometres long, it is also one of the busiest access points but a good option to access from Barcelona airport.
- France, the best route is through Pont de Rei, on the French highway N-618, which joins the N-230.
- Bagnères-de-Luchon: through the French highway N-125, which leads to the N-141, and from there, it is possible to get to Bossòst.

By bus

From Barcelona and Lleida, the ALSA bus company offers different lines to reach the Aran Valley. There are also less regular lines from Tarragona, Zaragoza, Valencia and Madrid. In addition, from the bus station in Vielha there are also lines that allow to move comfortably inside the valley, from town to town.

By plane

Although the valley has no airport, you can get to nearby cities by plane, such as Lleida, Barcelona, ​​Tarbes, Toulouse and Zaragoza, and from them combine the trip with other access roads.

Skiing in Baqueira Beret with Esquiades.com

With Esquiades.com it is possible to choose comfortable accommodation near the Baqueira Beret ski resort. Remember that the ski pass is already included in the price. If travellers do not have ski equipment, it is possible to add the ski hire service to a booking.

Furthermore, it is also possible to add menus at an exceptional prices to eat at the different restaurants located inside the resort. 

Finally, Esquiades.com, also has all the information available on the website. The slope conditions, the weather forecast and other important information.