 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
I stumbled across Spain as a possible destination for this year as what I’ve read suggests quiet, well groomed pistes, cheap(er than than Alps), powder that can last a few days before being tracked out, decent lift systems and cheapest heli-skiing in Europe?! Is this all true?!!
We would be a mixed group of skiers and boarders, and of mixed ability (advanced through to beginner/in need of confidence boost on wide open blues), looking for preferably a catered chalet in early January (so far looked at Ski Miquel and Ski Inspired).
From searching around on the net it seems that the bigger two resorts in the Pyrenees are Formigal & Baquiera-Beret. Anyone experience of either of these two? Would be great to get some general comments, thoughts, suggestions, recommendations, are there lots of flats for the boarders to deal with, what is the quality of the park etc on these two places to try & get some additional info.
For info I’ve searched the forum and have some initial info from SH, just looking for more!
Thanks in advance.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Fleecy, The Pyrenees are fantastic, normaly that more west, more snow, Baquira is the biggest resort, but in my world not the best, Formigal is better, in Spain also Cerler, Panticosa, and Boi Taüll is real good, in the french part of Pyrenees, Gourette, La Mongie/Bareges with the freeski mountain Pic du Midi is a good choice, , also Peyragudes is real good if the wether is Ok, then all the area is on high level,,
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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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Fleecy, Hi, i know you have not mentioned it but what about Sierra Nevada? I was there in August this year and the place is stunning. Well worth a consideration if your going to Spain and the elevation is amazing, looking down on the valley floor 3000+ metres below you is amazing!!!
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Ricklovesthepowder, to ski Sierra Nevada is fantastic,, but its expensive in winter season 
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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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freeheelskier, really? Which bit is expensive? staying there, lift pass, hire, food/drink?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Ricklovesthepowder, Staying there,, food and drink,, not if I compare with french alpes, but with the Pyrenees,
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I´ve been in Baqueira , Formigal , Sierra Nevada and Soldeu-el-Tarter.
From all i would say formiga it´s the best , good skiing , lovely views , good times 
Sierra Nevada has one big problem: Too many people , the queus are....... well horrible!
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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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Early Jan Baqueira should not be crowded weekdays. Weekends there can be a lot of people, but the lift system is pretty good and having cars the weekenders can choose from different access points. Park will depend on the amount of snow they've had.....this season they are putting in yet more snowmaking so that will help. Plenty of wide open blue/red runs. Flats? yup. Cheap? 7 day Baqueira lift pass is 237 Euro.....Chamonix (3 separate ski areas) is 237.5 Euro. Baqueira website has all the usual info; or the Val d'Aran homepage. If you're staying in a chalet then no worries about meals out. On-piste grub, similar to the Alps.
Have never skied Formigal but was there in Sept. Now linked with Massala(?) so more choices....looked like some flat
connections. Enjoy 
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Mac46,
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Have never skied Formigal but was there in Sept. Now linked with Massala
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I have ski Formigal,, but whats the h--l is Massala,, 
About prices for skipass, Bareges/La Mongie, Grand Tourmalet pass with no limmited acces to Pic du Midi, 7days 190€ for adult 
french pyrenees skiresorts are a little cheeper,,, its make a big different for a family
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Humblest apologies......La Molina is linked with Masella in the province of Girona whereas Formigal is in Huesca.
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You know it makes sense.
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freeheelskier, Spain was not in the second world war, as they had their own civil war a couple of years earlier.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Great priority by General Franco in 2nd worldwar
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I read it to mean Franco was in the 2nd WW
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Franco - La Molina: Mussolini - Cervinia: Hitler - Garmisch: Churchill - ????
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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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Mac46, Churchill - ???,, He was busy with to smoke cigar, drink cognac and fight the other guys 
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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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3 of us drove to Baquiera-Beret 2 years ago from Barcelona ,took us 3 hours and had a great laugh,i think it was about 170kms . It's pretty much one long fast road up until you reach one of the longest tunnels i've ever drove through . Up to the tunnel we had nice sunshine and beautiful deep blue mountain lakes and the only snow was the snow on the mountain tops in the distance. But then we came out of the tunnel and it was like something out of the film Narnia . 4 feet deep snow drifts all the way to Baquiera , after the tunnel the roads do get more twisty but the roads are still ok to drive on with no need for snow chains ,which you can buy from one of the petrol stations selling them for half the price that we paid to hire them from the car rental shop.
We all really liked Baquiera and will definitely go back some time .
If you smoke then stock up as you can not buy any baccy or cigarettes on the resort or surrounding shops and you'll need to take a bus down or drive down to the next town and you'll be looking for a tobacco shop
The runs were great with just a few flat spots in between but keep up the speed and you'll be fine .
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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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Thanks too all those for the feedback, and the impromptu history lesson too!!
Sounds like it could be a go-er.
Does anyone have experience of the itineraries in Baquiera - I see that there are four, of varying lengths, and they look pretty appealing so any info would be great. Ie I presume that one doesn't need a guide to ski them, do they get tracked out quickly after a dump etc.
Also, anyone had any experience in the parks?
Thanks all!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Fleecy, I'm no park skier but it's 'ok'. There is only one, over in Beret. They did build a 1/2 pipe in the Bonagiua sector but it's not been in operation for a few seasons.
I think I've skied all of the Itineraries. No guide required but probably best to be with someone as some are fairly long with variations. They are controlled, so sometimes closed. Loads of off piste terrain so you can usually get fresh tracks pretty easy.
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Thanks AndAnother - are you based out there, or just visited?
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Fleecy, No trouble. I did a season there a few years ago and end up there most years either working or playing 
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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'm considering a mid to late march trip to Baqueira how will the snow conditions be at this point in the season?
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mickstephenson, Usually good. Can't say for sure about the coming year
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks, I'm looking into hiring a VW Caravelle, will snow chain rental be necessary?
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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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mickstephenson, They keep the roads pretty well. There are a couple of supermarkets in the main town down the valley which will sell chains should you need them. Worse case you can catch the bus up and park the camper in the main car park in Veillha.
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You know it makes sense.
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thanks for that, one of the places I am considering- maybe mid to late March
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