Pyrenees Guide

Founded in 1964 by Spanish champion ski racer Luis Arias, Baqueira Beret has grown to become Spain's largest resort. The modern lift infrastructure serves terrain generally regarded as some of the most challenging in the Pyrenees mountains, and most of it is above the treeline. The resort is purpose built but done tastefully using wood and stone rather than concrete. Baqueira's southerly latitude gives an hour more daylight for skiing than in the Alps, and it's warmer too. But the 350+ snow guns ensure adequate snow cover on the lower slopes which face north or north west.

There is skiing for all abilities in this large area including five tough blacks, excellent off-piste powder and near vertical couloirs. The 'Scornacrabes' is particularly well known and has the literal translation of "the place where the goats die". The Louis Arias and Tubo Nere runs are famed as steep mogul trails. The Spanish Ski frequently trains here. Baqueira Beret is well laid out, has a modern lift infrastructure and a lively and varied apres ski scene. And international visitors appreciate the relatively reasonable Spanish prices.