BAQUEIRA-BERET: 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Baqueira Beret has become in the last decade one of the best valued Spanish resorts and the one that more skiers go to every year. At Uller we are committed to the evolution and progress of skiing, which is why we want to tell you how amazing Baqueira Beret is and all the options it offers you. From its origin to today! Here are the 10 things you should know about Baqueira
1. ORIGIN AND FOUNDATION OF BAQUEIRA-BERET STATION
The station of the Valle de Arán was definitively inaugurated in 1964, although it is confirmed that the first skiers entered in 1919. The date December 6, 1964 is marked because it was that day that the first chairlift was installed. Four years later, it already added 30 kilometers of tracks. Until now, the most famous station was Candanchú, also for being the oldest, inaugurated in 1928. In Aragon, apart from Candanchú, there was Formigal. For Catalan skiers, the resorts were reduced to La Molina and other tiny resorts in Andorra.
That today we can enjoy the great services that this station and its slopes provide us is thanks to the fact that someone one day saw the possibilities that the snow-capped hills of the Aran Valley had. That someone was Luis Arias Carralón and Jorge Jordana de Pozas. Luis Arias was the first director and son of a family linked to the hospitality and skiing in the Sierra de Guadarrama.
Baqueira currently belongs to the Serra family and the president is Juan Luis Heredero Martí.
2. THE BAQUEIRA BERET SNOWPARK
Baqueira Beret has passed the level. Since the remodeling in 2018, the demand for all lovers of snow or freestyle has increased. You can enjoy its three independent lines: red, green and blue, each with different tests to make the most amazing jumps with your board. If you like to take sport to the limit, Baqueira is the ideal place. We leave you an article on everything you need to know about the Baqueira snowpark.
3. THE CHARMING VILLAGES OF THE ARÁN VALLEY
This valley offers some cozy villages where you will feel like you are in a movie while you walk among so much nature. Many consider it mandatory to visit them on the days you come to ski in Baqueira.
Above all, we recommend you make a stop in Vielha which is the capital of the basin where you can visit the church of San Miquéu. On the other hand, the region of Arties is one of the most valued, famous for the 14th century church of San Juan, which stands out for its octagonal bell tower.
4. SNOWMOBILE OR SHOES RACKETS: THE TWO INCREDIBLE EXCURSIONS THAT YOU CANNOT MISS IN BAQUEIRA
Baqueira Beret is famous for the number of services that the snow offers you beyond putting on skis. Because it is one of the newest in all of Spain and because of its continuous modernization, the station has everything from motorcycle excursions to gastronomic routes.
If you like speed, but want to try plans beyond skiing, then snowmobiles are the solution to all your problems. They allow you to take a fantastic walk through the forest of the Aranese valley, something that would be impossible to do on foot, and that sitting and driving your motorcycle will not be a problem for you. In addition, it is an activity to enjoy with family and friends. If you want to know how a ski motorcycle works or answer questions about this activity in this article on why snowmobiles are the fashionable activity.
If you get on a snowmobile in Baqueira Beret, we recommend you visit the Montgarri area, which crosses a virgin coniferous forest.
Another excursion that the most sporty can take is snowshoeing. A very old activity that in the past arose to cross the snow more easily, is now in vogue among mountain lovers. It also takes place in a group and normally with a guide or professional who will assure you of the route and guide you better. Another sport similar to snowshoeing is randonnée, which combines hiking with skiing, interesting right?
5. DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE GASTRONOMY OF THE ARAN VALLEY?
Who doesn't have an appetite after a day of sports and wouldn't eat a good dish as a reward? In Baqueira Beret there are many options for restaurants and bars famous for their grilled meats or the Aranese pot among their typical dishes. In addition, the pintxo-pote is famous, which consists of a pack of tapas and drinks in the restaurants in the area. A whole plan.
6. DISCOVER THE PALACE OF FIGURE SKATING
An activity that the little ones love and in which you can enjoy a most entertaining aprés ski is the ice palace in Vielha. If you have never tried ice skating and you have the thorn in it, this is your moment! The truth is that if there is something about this activity, it is that you will want to repeat it every winter.
7. THE ARAN VALLEY MUSEUM
Although no one would expect to travel to the snow to visit a museum, nothing is crazy for the Baqueira resort. The Valle de Arán museum is located in Vielha and you can go there if you are a fan of the history of the towns in the area. It contains archaeological and ethnological samples and pieces of art found in the surrounding area. Most interesting if you want to spend a quiet day and get to know the roots of this fantastic place.
8. RELAXATION AND VIEWS IN THE SPA OF BARONIA DE LES
We end this list of plans with the activity with which we would end a tiring day of skiing: in the bath springs of Baronia de Les. A small, most welcoming spa, which will allow you to enjoy its thermal circuit and its treatments. In addition, it offers beautiful views of the mountains from the indoor pool . A real luxury!
9. THE BAQUEIRA-BERET TRACKS
The Baqueira station is worth visiting as well as staying in a hotel near the slopes, since the station is not near any town. Therefore, if you want to take advantage of the day, it will not be worth going up and down by car. These are the essential tracks that you should know about Baqueira Beret.
LUIS ARIAS
One of the mythical black of the Pyrenees and located on the north face of Baqueira. A track that will put your technique and physical strength to the test, and that will make you enjoy the best snow of the entire season.
THE VIEWPOINT AND FOREST
This is more of an itinerary that joins two slopes of difficulty red, and that combines the slopes of Mirador and Bosque. This section of the station will also put our abilities as skiers or snowboarders to the limit. In addition, it is recommended to make a stop when you reach the line of the forest at level 1.800.
ARGULLS
If you haven't been skiing for a long time, this slope is perfect for you, as it will allow you to develop your skills and it is also famous for being one of the slopes that receives the most snow throughout the winter. This blue slope is a quiet area where you can feel comfortable skiing on its wide slopes.
BLANHIBLE
One of the few areas facing south, on the Tuc de Blanhiblar slope and the most frequented by those who practice freeskiing since the resort's snowpark is located on this slope.
THE BERET STADIUM
The Beret stadium is highly valued by the teams that compete because it has an access chairlift that prevents you from entering the Dera Reina chairlift, which is usually quite crowded. In addition, since 2017, the stadium was renamed Fernández Ochoa in honor of this family of Olympic skiers. However, this stadium is usually reserved for the different clubs, so it is often advisable to visit its neighboring track Els Pins.
10. A LIFT IN HONOR OF THE FERNÁNDEZ OCHOA FAMILY
As expected, the lift is intended for a competition stadium that gives access to the highest part of the Beret Stadium track. The story of Paquito Fernández Ochoa and his sister Blanca Fernández Ochoa will always be remembered as a milestone in skiing for their medals At the olympic games.
Although the chairlift is open to all skiers, it is especially intended for those who train at the Stadium Beret.
Are you still wondering whether to spend your next winter holidays in Baqueira Beret? We recommend that you go as soon as you can to enjoy all its services and what we like the most: skiing and nature. Let's go!
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- WHAT ARE THE BEST WEEKS TO GO TO BAQUEIRA BERET?
The best weeks to go to Baqueira Beret are the weeks before Easter, it is considered low season. In general, the month of February is high season in Baqueira, especially on weekends.
- WHO RUNS THE BAQUEIRA BERET STATION?
Currently, the station belongs to the Serra family and the Andorran group owns a minority stake. At the head is the president Juan Luis Heredero Martí and among the directors José Vilarasau Salat, who was president of La Caixa
- WHY IS VIELHA THE BEST AREA?
Vielha is the best and most recommended area due to its proximity to the slopes. On the other hand, it is surrounded by shops and restaurants, as well as its historical and cultural appeal. For all this, it offers a large number of accommodations and a wide hotel network.
- WHERE CAN YOU BUY IN BAQUEIRA?
Baqueira is a resort that offers various shops and businesses to buy everything you need, from food to luxury products, so you will see stores throughout the area.
- HOW TO GET FROM MADRID TO THE BAQUEIRA SLOPES?
The easiest and most flexible way to go to Baqueira from Madrid is by car and it will not take more than 5 hours, about 600 kilometers. Another option is to take the Madrid-Lleida AVE, which takes two hours, and then a Lleida-Vielha bus for about two and a half hours.
- HOW MANY YEARS HAS BAQUEIRA BERET BEEN OPEN?
Baqueira Beret has been open since 1964, that is, this station has been in operation for 58 years. It was founded in the municipality of Naut Arán due to good snow conditions.
- HOW BIG IS BAQUEIRA BERET?
It is considered a fairly large station according to French criteria, a leader in the sector. With a capacity of 60.000 skiers per hour that extends between its 101 meters of unevenness.
- WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE PASS?
The ski pass includes access to all slopes, ski lifts and chairlifts. They are individual and their price per day is around 54 for adults, but you can get your season ticket for around 1050 euros.
- WHY IS BAQUEIRA CONSIDERED ONE OF THE BEST RESORTS IN SPAIN?
Baqueira Beret is considered one of the best ski resorts in Spain due to its 155 skiable kilometers for all tastes and levels, its well-kept facilities and the hotel and restaurant offer.
- WHAT CELEBRITIES HAVE CHOSEN BAQUEIRA AS THE FAVORITE PLACE TO SKI?
In recent years, Baqueira has become a luxury high-mountain destination, which has attracted celebrities such as Alejandra Prat, the Kings, the Infanta Elena, Luis Medina and the Aznar family . Its wide offer and its unbeatable facilities, in addition to the quality of the snow and the après ski activities, have made Baqueira one of the favorite destinations for skiing.
