 Poster: A snowHead
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I accidently stumbled across a website talking about ski resorts in Spain and was amazed to learn that they've got some really great resorts! I've never heard any of my ski friends talk about Spain and I never see it mentioned on the forums either and was keen to understand why that is?
The one that stood out for me was Baqueira-Beret - here's a piste map - looks great - http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Baqueira-Beret/pistemap
The article also mentioned Formigal which apparently is having loads of investment and looks fantastic - here's a map for that - http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Formigal/pistemap
So has anyone been and can share what it's like? Or any opinions on why it's not really talked about in the same vein as France and Austria etc? I for one am thinking of giving it a go next season - Tapas, sangria and short drive from Barcelona - what more could I ask for?!? 
NB
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There are some Spanish resident snowheads and others who have been frequently. My main understanding is that as the number of resorts is limited they can get very busy with local skiers at peak periods.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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NomadicBoo, you may have a point. Here's what snowheads' favourite ski club has to say about Spain (and Andorra) , and about Sierra Navada in particular.
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| ...with one of the longest ski seasons in Europe it is not uncommon to be skiing from the end of November to the beginning of May |
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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That's a decent report and I will give it a try next season without a doubt. I definitely think it would be worth combing it with a few days in Barcelona!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Have been to La Molina and Masella twice, closest resort to Gerona (about 1.5-2hrs drive) and big ski area by Spanish standards, about 110km. An intermediate area but relatively cheap although more snow sure further west in the Pyrennes.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I skied Sierra Nevada few years ago. It would be good for a couple of days skiing if you were in the area. I wouldn't make a special trip just to ski, it's all a bit small and limited. High though, it was bitterly cold when I was there.
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Spain has few steeps. So it struggles to get hyped up by the international press.
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NomadicBoo, Baqueira is v. good. Extremely well organised. almost US in service. Other half spent a couple of seasons there.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I've been to baqeuira with ski miquel. Had a great time. would love to go back one day
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Baqueira is "advised" by Intrawest who own Whistler and several other resorts in North America. They're (afaik) the only euro-resort to use the NA in-bounds / out-of0bounds system rather then piste / off piste
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I assume for the same reasons that the French Pyrenean resorts aren't either, and there are far more of those than there are in Spain. However with euro costs now almost 50% higher for us Brits perhaps some of these smaller and cheaper places will start (re)appearing in TO's brochures ?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I've skied Spain. Resorts there are much smaller than anything in the Alps. The fun part of Spanish skiing is the mucho marcha! Skiing all day and then heading out to the discoteca until dawn. It was a blast many moons ago when I was 20 I dont know if I could handle it today!
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NomadicBoo, Look at the Pyrenees snow report!  Also, Late Starter reports from Sierra Nevada every time she goes to visit her mum in season.
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You know it makes sense.
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We went to Baqueira with Ski Miquel about 10 years ago. I think it's grown a bit since then, but the skiing was certainly fab when we were there. Quite a good variety of terrain and reasonable extent, plus great snow. I would imagine it would be a bit like Andorra where there is usually plenty of snow, but in different patterns to the alps in terms of the weather systems that affect it. The skiing on the whole was good for our group as it was quite varied, although I think there are better places for complete beginners.
We found there was very little English spoken, which was quite nice to be honest, although again would make things more difficult for families with young kids needing ski school etc.
When we went, the village itself was a bit soul-less, having been raised on Austrian ski resorts, I was a bit overwhelmed by big hotels and blocks of apartments (although it is still small compared to the mega-resorts). We ate in the chalet every night except one, when the company took us down the valley to a catalan restaurant, I am not sure what the options were for eating out in Baqueira, but there were one or two bars that were OK at apres time.
Also, there were very few interesting mountain restaurants with any character, a lot of McDonalds style fast food places.
I seem to remember it was quite a long (and tedious) coach transfer from Toulouse.
I guess in terms of overall holiday experience, it was great skiing, but not so great other elements.
Definitely worth a look though, can be good value, and a nice change of scene from the alps.
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