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Aug 9, 2022

Skiing in Spain near Barcelona: Your Ultimate PLAYful Guide

Not many European cities can offer you a wide range of cultural activities like Barcelona. The Spanish city located on the Northeastern Mediterranean coast is famous for its beaches, local cuisine, football club, Catalan culture, and historic architecture.

It´s also the gateway to some of the finest ski resorts in all of Europe. In fact, Barcelona is one of the only cities in the world where you can go skiing and to the beach on the same day.  

Located near the Pyrenees, Barcelona is close to many world-class ski resorts and fields. From the coolest Catalan slopes to the majestic Andorra ski fields, let´s take a look at the best places and activities for a ski holiday in Barcelona.

La Molina

Let’s start with not only the oldest ski resort in the Catalan region but all of Spain - La Molina. It installed its first ski lift way back in 1943 and is well known for its supreme snow activities.

La Molina has 71 ski-friendly kilometers, spread across 68 slopes with something for all levels of ski or snowboarder. It has the biggest superpipe in the Pyrenees and its massive snowpark offers a wide range of activities for non-skiers too, these include Nordic walking, sledding, snowshoeing, or segwaying on the snow.

Most of La Molina is located in the Cerdanya region, around a 2-hour drive from Barcelona or a 4 and a half hour bus ride. The resort has hosted many international ski events such as the 2008 Alpine Skiing World Cup and the 2011 Snowboarding World Championships.

Visitors to La Molina can experience a selection of restaurants, cafes, and bars to keep them warm and content off the slopes. The Niu de l’Aliga Hut offers spectacular views of the La Cerdanya Valley and is the ideal spot to enjoy the Pyrenees sunsets.

The resort offers a range of accommodation options for skiers who want to stay in the beautiful Pyrenees. There are over 20 places to choose from, including everything from basic, affordable one-star chalets to exclusive, premium four-star hotels. La Molina really does have something for everyone.

As La Molina’s slogan says - Mountains and Sport, All Year Long! 

La Masella

Located on the northern face of La Tosa mountain, La Masella ski resort overlooks the sunny Cerdanya Valley. It is just 3 kilometers away from the La Molina ski park. The resort has over 74 kilometers of ski fields, 65 stunning trails with 17 lifts, and you can even ski or snowboard at night.

Its La Pleta Snowpark is a modern masterpiece that provides fun for the whole family with boxes, jumps, and rails. The park even has Wi-Fi available at certain points so you can upload your spectacular snapshots straight to your TikTok or Instagram feed.

Even if the snow gods have not been kind, La Masella has over 400 snow cannons to guarantee that you can have a fun day and night out on the slopes.

La Masella has plenty of accommodation options for its visiting guests. You can choose from hostels, campsites, bungalows, apartments, and beautiful hotels. Experience a 5-star stay at the unforgettable Hotel Torre del Remei which offers delicious Catalan cuisine, amazing gardens, and satellite TV.

This resort is perfect for skiers of all levels and is only a 2-hour drive from downtown Barcelona.

Port del Comte

Just 150 kilometers from Barcelona in the Pyrenees lies the Port Del Comte ski resort. Home to over 42 kilometers of skiable runs for all levels.

The resort has 16 ski lifts and most of the 37 different ski runs are suited to intermediate skiers. It has a fun snowpark for those that are into the extreme end of the sport spectrum, with jumps and rails for adrenaline-fueled action.

If you’re not a massive ski fan, then Port del Comte has you covered. Experience a fun day out in snowshoes! There are five different snowshoe circuits through the tall pines to enjoy.

Port Del Comte has a wide range of accommodation to choose from. There are rustic old farmhouses, various-sized hotels, hostels, and camping cottages nearby.

You can disembark your plane in Barcelona and be amongst the snow and mountain views within a couple of hours. It's the perfect spot for those wanting a quick, stress-free ski holiday in Barcelona.

Grandvalira

Grandvalira is a ski resort in Andorra where the adventure never ends. It has 210 kilometers of pristine slopes available for you and the family to enjoy.

Established in 2003, after two of the oldest Andorran ski resorts were combined to create the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees. As one of the biggest ski fields in Europe, it has plenty to offer its visitors.

The resort has 74 ski lifts, over 100 kilometers of easy trails and so much more. For example, you can go cross/country skiing, dog sledding, snow tubing, ride a snowmobile, and even ziplining!

They also operate night skiing sessions from Thursdays to Saturdays during their peak winter season. Snowboarders will absolutely fall in love with their snowpark, featuring jumps, pipelines, and rails.

Food lovers will be in their element with over 40 eateries available in the Andorran resort. Choose from an authentic local gastronomic experience, wine and meat restaurant, vodka bar, and Spanish and French cuisine. You can stay close by in one of the numerous historic hotels or modern apartment complexes.

The Andorran ski resort Grandvalira is located 200 kilometers from Barcelona and can be reached by car in just over 2 and a half hours or by bus in 4 hours. 

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Baquiera Beret

One of the best-known ski resorts in Spain. Baquiera Beret is situated in Val d’Aran around 178 kilometers from Barcelona. It's one of the largest and finest ski resorts in the country with 160 kilometers of slopes for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.

The resort's ski season usually starts in November and runs through until the end of April. It has a gondola and 19 chairlifts to help you get around the expansive slopes.

It's a great place for learners and skiers of moderate ability to improve their skills. They have a ski school with over 200 instructors ready to help you carve down the slopes.

Check out the two slalom stadiums where you might see the Spanish national team training for their next big competition. With more than 720 snow cannons on site, you can be guaranteed some top-quality powder.

Visitors can expect a range of mouth-watering food when they step off the slopes. Think authentic tapas, champagne, cremat, rabbit, snails, and more! Due to its close proximity to Barcelona, the ski resort nightlife can be another highlight of your trip.

Baquiera Beret offers a brilliant selection of hotels, apartments, country homes, and more for you and your family to stay in.

Vallnord

Located in Andorra, 225 kilometers from the Barcelona airport, Vallnord ski resort is open from December to April. Discover one of the most picturesque valleys in North-West Andorra. It consists of two connected sectors: Pal and Arinsal which provide 93 kilometers of ski slopes with 54 trails for guests to fall in love with.

Vallnord has 29 mechanical lifts plus three cable cars and a telecabin to help you easily access the slopes. There are three ski and snowboard schools for riders of all abilities.

For snow park fans, Vallnord has a choice for freestyle riders to practice and land their finest jumps, tricks, and aerial moves. The Freeride World Tour regularly holds events at the resort.

There’s even something for non-skiers with scenic helicopter rides and snowmobiling on offer.

The resort has a diverse and extensive culinary menu for its visitors. If you are craving some locally made dishes, then Vallnord is your place. Choose from a selection of 10 restaurants including a la carte, tapas, meat dishes, rice, burgers, sandwiches, desserts, and more.

Vall de Nuria

If you’re looking for a ski resort that offers both natural beauty and environmental management then Vall de Nuria is for you. Located in the Eastern Pyrenees, it sits atop one of the highest peaks of the Ribes Valley.

Experience awe-inspiring mountain views while you ski down the 11 spacious alpine slopes. There is more to do at Vall de Nuria than just ski or snowboard. Enjoy sledding in the leisure park with the kids, go cross country skiing, take the scenic cable car ride, or for those needing to cool down there is ice diving.

Another not to be missed activity at the resort is the Rack Railway. Discover the breathtaking beauty of the local landscape as you travel the railway. It's the only way to access the Nuria Valley and covers a distance of 12 kilometers over an incline of more than 1,000 meters.

Vall de Nuria has some brilliant food options with buffets, stone-grill, burgers, pasta, salads, and more available to hungry skiers.

Stay in one of the stunning local hotels or apartment complexes near the resort. There are over 12 to choose from with something for every budget. Vall de Nuria is a 4 and half-hour bus ride from Barcelona, or you could drive there in just over 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Winter is Coming

Now is the perfect time to start planning for your spectacular ski holiday in Barcelona. Experience all the amazing attractions the city has to offer with an unforgettable trip up to the slopes. From Andorra to the Cerdanya Valley, the choice of ski resorts is yours.

Spend a day on the mountain then take in an FC Barcelona football game at the Nou Camp at night, your options are endless. Just remember, winter is coming, so begin your Barcelona ski holiday plan today.

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