Val d’Aran, “Valley of Valleys”, in the core of the Catalan Pyrenees, has a unique climate, as the only Atlantic facing Valley in the Spanish mountains.

The valley offers endless possibilities for everybody – from winter sports at the highest level during the ski season, excursions, mountain biking, rafting and adrenaline-filled activities for those seeking adventure, to relaxing and enjoying the hot springs, landscapes, and fresh air of the Catalan Pyrenees for those seeking a little more simplicity.

One of the most popular reasons to visit is to ski at the renowned Baqueira Beret resort.

Skiing at Baqueira Beret

​​For winter sports lovers, Baqueira Beret has become a reference point. With around 171 km of slopes, 36 ski lifts, and 122 slopes, it is considered the best ski resort in the Catalan Pyrenees: an option that is perfect for both beginners and the most advanced skiers thanks to the snow quality.

Every season, the resort welcomes thousands of fans of all types of skiing: alpine, snowboarding, Nordic and telemark. In addition, ski schools and internationally renowned instructors are available and it offers a wide variety of courses in different specialities, classes in different languages and for all levels.

Gastronomy on the slopes

Up to 24 establishments, including bars, restaurants and snack stops are spread across the main enclaves of the resort, and guarantee refreshments of all types, from snacks to banquets. This includes 5 J’s Restaurant, a gastronomic refuge at an altitude of 1,800 meters specialising in high-quality dishes of 100% Iberian acorn-fed pigs, as well as The Moët Winter Lounge, which has become a classic in the Pyrenees of Catalonia. A unique, enlarged and refurbished space with a dining room and terrace, designed for enjoying a glass of Moët & Chandon accompanied by select dishes on its terrace in the sun and between mountains.

Sustainability

Baqueira Beret ski resort remains committed to its sustainability journey, as a big part of the Val d’Aran. In 2023 the resort received a Biosphere Committed seal of approval, which endorses the resort’s progress towards sustainability on the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform, confirming its commitment to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in the Agenda 2030.

The resort has planned and implemented several actions seeking to ensure it can coexist harmoniously with the surrounding nature, preserving the Val d’Aran and Valls d’Àneu ecosystem. Crucial maintenance and regeneration works include hydroseeding and fertilising the slopes. The resort has forged links with local farmers, using grazing as a means of maintaining the pastures in a natural, balanced way. Investing in increasing efficiency in the use of electricity and water, and waste reduction measures, whilst also continuing to improve the guest experience through digitalisation to minimise waiting times and reduce the need for paper, the resort is striving to ensure a balance between mountain tourism and the local environment.

As well as sustainability initiatives, Baqueira Beret participates in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. A good example is its collaboration with the city council of Naut Aran for the promotion of summer tourism to make tourism in Val d’Aran a year-round proposition.

Other activities in the Val d’Aran

Skiing isn’t the only way to experience the snow. Cross-country routes, Heli-skiing, snowmobiling, dog or horse sledging, ski mountaineering – a myriad of different winter activities and a guide service are available to help you discover and know better the secrets of the mountain and the valley.

If you aren’t visiting in winter, you won’t be disappointed – in spring onwards, waterfalls appear everywhere and extensive forests of fir, pine, beech, walnut, birch, oak and wild cherry trees sprout. This provides an amalgam of activities that appeals to lovers of the outdoors, open spaces, sport and well-being. You are spoilt for choice from canyoning and rafting to archery, horse riding, fishing, and climbing. There are 6 via ferratas in the Val d’Aran, and access to all of them is free, although it is recommended to do so guided by experts.

The Val d’Aran also offers hiking in its purest form, with routes and itineraries that allow you to explore the most beautiful and emblematic corners of the unique territory. In total, there are more than 300 km of routes of different degrees of difficulty, suitable for all ages and levels, to enjoy with family and friends.

If you prefer to cycle rather than hike, Val d’Aran has everything from guided e-bike routes on snow to mountain biking routes that spike your adrenaline to more relaxed cycling routes of varying difficulty that offer some of the most scenic experiences in the valley. The valley has more than 800 km of approved eBTT/BTT routes and more than 120 km of cycle touring routes accessible to all types of cyclists.

W: Visit Val Daran

Photos credited to Baqueira Beret