Skiing close to Barcelona – Where to go

La Molina and La Masella

The top ski areas close to Barcelona, La Molina (50km pistes) and La Masella (61km pistes), are fantastic for day skiing trips from Barcelona. They are both in the Pre-Pyrenees mountain range and can be reached within two hours by car or bus and it is also possible to get to La Molina by train which also departs from Barcelona.

The Rodalies Renfe transportation offers a package to La Molina, which includes a train and ski-pass (forfeit) and can be bought at all Renfe railway stations in Barcelona. If you want to go skiing close to Barcelona during a weekday, you will enjoy the luxury of empty pistes and no lift lines. During the weekend it’s a bit more crowded but still, nothing compared to the Alps.

Grandvalira

A larger ski area is the resort Grandvalira in Andorra in the Pyrenees, which is a 3 hours bus ride from Barcelona. With more than 210 km of a run, it is the largest skiing area close to Barcelona.

This resort usually offers uncrowded pistes and short lift queues. Moreover, the Eastern Pyrenees have 300 days of sunshine, so the weather is marvelous for skiing. Since the resort has high altitude, there are also several freeride trails and off-piste runs to enjoy.

Vall de Núria

Being the closest station to Barcelona, Vall de Núria has a lot to offer. Not as big as the previously mentioned ones, this ski station offers a total of 7.6 km skiable tracks. The access to this area alone is worth the experience because you have to take a small antique rack railway that lasts about 40min. With an altitude of roughly 2000, you’ll find excellent conditions to get the most out of your small ski adventure near Barcelona. Ideal for 1 day.

The station has 1 Gondola lift, 1 Chairlift, 2 Telescopes, and 1 Ribbon debutantes. It has 11 tracks: 2 black, 3 red, 3 blue, and 3 green. It offers a total of 7.6 km skiable.

Vallter 2000

Vallter 2000 is the most Eastern ski stations in the Catalan Pyrenees, in Girona. At 153 km from Barcelona, Vallter 2000 is a very cozy ski area located between 2,000 meters and 2,500 meters of altitude.

With 14 km of slopes to enjoy the snow with your family or friends, Vallter 2000 is one of the few ski areas with a track for the Skimo.

Boí Taüll

Located in the Natural Park of Aigües Tortes, in the Boí Valley, you will find Boí Taüll.
It is the station with the highest levels of the Pyrenees, up to 2750 meters of altitude.
Boí Taüll offers 10 green tracks, 7 blue, 26 red and 9 black.

There are no accommodations right at the foot of the piste. It is a very small ski station, but it is surrounded by lovely small villages you will surely like to visit. Recently, Boí Taüll has been nominated in the world ski awards as the best ski resort in Spain.

Baqueira Beret

Baqueira Beret is one of the most prestigious but also the most expensive ski stations near Barcelona, as it offers many services in the facilities and its surroundings for the most exclusive clients.

Located in the Vall d’Aran, it enjoys intense snowfall and a high quality of snow.
Baqueira Beret has 157 km of slopes, 7 km of itineraries, 7 km of cross-country skiing and 1010 meters of altitude difference, a real luxury. On the slopes, you will see mountainous peaks that exceed the 3000 meters.

Espot

Espot is a ski area located near Baqueira, next to the National Park of Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici, which is an extra motivation for ski and snowboard lovers.

With this privileged situation, breathtaking views and exceptional snow quality, Espot offers more than 20 km of slopes and 1,000 meters of altitude difference for those who want to ski near Barcelona in a quiet and familiar location.

Port of Comte

The ski station of Port del Comte is 143 km from Barcelona. The station is also very familiar, and a good option for those who want to enjoy the pistes without many people.

With 37 tracks and 16 ski lifts, it is surrounded by a beautiful forest of black pine trees. Apart from skiing in the area, you can practice many activities such as hiking, paragliding, zip line or golf, among others.

Port Ainé

Located in the Pyrenees of Lleida, in the municipality of Rialp, and right at the foot of the Pic de l’Orri (2440 meters), you will find the ski station of Port Ainé. It is considered the ski station with the best snow in the Pyrenees for its orientation to this peak.

One of its main attractions of Port Ainé is the Snowpark, for the enjoyment of all and the practice of freestyle. In this ski resort, you will also find different types of accommodation. Among them, the highest hotel of all the Pyrenees. You can get there by car, but there is also a bus line from Barcelona that will take you directly to the ski station.

The after-ski scene in all these ski stations near Barcelona is much quieter than in Austria or Switzerland, but nevertheless, you will find some nightlife especially in Grandvalira. The most lively nightlife you will probably find in Pas de la Casa in Andorra.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic run and book your trip to the Pyrenees and enjoy great skiing close to Barcelona with a clear, blue sky!

Der Beitrag Ski stations near Barcelona – Enjoy Skiing and Ski Tracks in Catalunya erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

Do you love traveling even when it’s cold? Well, Barcelona is not the coldest place in the world, but it changes a little when the winter is coming. Luckily Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunny days, with permanent clear blue skies, and it doesn’t rain very often. It is a fascinating city, very crowded, with so many things to do and even in winter, you will find lots of tourists and locals being entertained and having fun outside.

The city is alive during all year long. You can find a lot of activities in Barcelona to have a great time and places to enjoy by yourself, with your partner, your friends, your family or your company. Check out these things to do in Barcelona during winter and start thinking about your next trip to the Catalan capital. You don’t need to wait until summer!

1. Try Ice Skating and have a lot of fun

Do you love skating on the ice? You can do it in Barcelona every day of the year, but it’s in winter when this practice becomes more frequent in the city! So, if you want to enjoy with some locals in the ice rink, this is the time. Take your skates or rent some in the same ice skating rink. It’s not expensive, and you will have a great time there. Don’t forget to wear gloves; these can protect you if you fall.

What are the top ice skating spots in Barcelona?

• Kaliu Park (24th December until 7th of January)
• Pedralbes Centre (24th November until 7th of January)
• Pista de hielo FC Barcelona (all year)
• Skating Club (all year)

2. Visit Museums in Barcelona

When the weather is cold outside, and you don’t feel like going out, you can have a break and visit the museums. These are an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and the essence of Barcelona. There are so many historical museums in Barcelona that will approach you to what this city has become, but also you can find alternative ones and many others of a specific nature such as science museums or special ones like the Chocolate Museum. Every week you can see new exciting expositions in the city too. So if you like, you can spend some of your time deleting yourself with a different kind of them. Barcelona is full of them!

The top museums to visit in Barcelona:

• Catalan National Art Museum (MNAC)
  The MNAC offers an impressive collection of Art from Medieval Romanesque Art to Photography and Numismatics with a selection of 136.000 coins, there’s something for everyone here.
• MACBA Contemporary Art
  The MACBA collection unites the work of local, national and international artists, especially South-American, eastern countries and recently also added works from North African, Middle East and Arabic artists.
• The Egyptian Museum
  The pharaohs in Barcelona? Yes! An exposition of Egyptian artifacts in Barcelona.
• Picasso Museum
  The Picasso Museum is located next to the cathedral (not the Sagrada Familia) and definitely worth a visit.

3. Enjoy the beaches and the breeze

Yes, you’ve read it right! One of the most amazing things to do in Barcelona is to enjoy its beaches, even in winter. Have a walk, sit on a terrace, go surfing or kitesurfing, or just lay on the sand and read a book, under the sun, feeling the fresh air from the sea.

Paddle surfing has also become very popular in the recent years. But if you are more into a sailing mood, you can do it too in Barcelona.

For the early birds: remember to watch at least one sunrise on the beach of Barcelona. It’s wonderful. You won’t regret it!

4. Hang out on a terrace and relax

In Barcelona, you can take a snack, have a drink or eat outside even when it’s freezing. Most terraces in the city are equipped with very powerful outdoor stoves, so you would surely take off your coat! Forget the cold and enjoy the magical atmosphere in every corner of Barcelona.
Either in restaurants at street level or the attics of some hotels, restaurants or museums you will have a great time.

5. Go Skiing in the mountains

Ok, it’s not really in Barcelona where you can go skiing or snowboarding, but if you love mountains, those are very close to the city. You don’t even need a car to go there. There are so many possibilities to get to the ski slopes: by bus, by train,… If you like, you can wake up early in the morning and come back the same day too.

Where to ski near Barcelona?

The top ski areas near Barcelona are called La Masella and La Molina and are probably the most famous ones here in Barcelona. Those are not too far away by and can be reached by bus as well. During the winter season (until the 2nd of April) there’s a bus leaving at Hard Rock Cafe every Tuesday and Thursday, for example, which you can book with ski tickets, transport and insurance included.

6. Experience Barcelona in the markets

There are so many things to do in Barcelona during winter. One of them is visiting the markets and why not, take the occasion to have breakfast or lunch in there – if possible. Markets like the famous Boquería or El Mercat del Ninot are only some of the choices you could find in the city. But, if you are looking for some antiquities or you want to buy some handmade clothing, Barcelona is the place to be! Here you can take a look at the list of markets in Barcelona to check this winter: food markets and non-food markets. Sure you will find what you are searching.

7. English cinema for everyone

Do you want to feel like home? Choose English Language cinemas in Barcelona and flee the “cold” winter. You would taste the city as locals do. Grab your drink, some sweets, popcorn and relax at your sit. Check out the Movie guide for films showing in English in Barcelona.

Keep in mind that these cinemas are smaller cinemas with a smaller selection of film but therefore offer them in original language version.One of the popular cinemas with original language sound is Yelmo Cines, also check Filmoteca de Catalunya, Cines Renoir and Cinemes Girona.

8. Winter Sales: Shopping in Barcelona

Winter sales start in Barcelona after Christmas time. Although some shops have advanced the discounts this year, is not until the day after the 3 Kings Holiday that stores open with lots of different prices and opportunities to buy all kind of gadgets, clothes, household items, and much more. Visiting the center of Barcelona the first weekend of winter sales would be a risky activity if you love quiet places. But if you are one of those who like a little bit of action, go for it! You could find your favorite pieces at a lower price!

Der Beitrag 8 things to do in Barcelona during winter erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.