Best ski resorts in Spain

Spain’s known for its sandy beaches and blue waters, it’s vibrant food and city culture. So it might blow your mind to hear that Spain is home to 33 ski resorts! And each offers a different mountain experience from the last. We’re talking about exquisitely groomed slopes alongside north-facing off-piste lines, Catalan cuisine, and cute lodging made of slate, stone, and wood. Oh, and super reasonably priced lift tickets, which is always music to our ears. So, let’s get into our top locations, shall we?

Oh, and where better to show off your new ski clothing than Spain? Embrace Spain’s colorful culture and grab yourself a new ski jacket or ski bib today.

Top ski areas

Baqueira Beret

We’re kicking things off in Spain’s largest ski resort, on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees. Yep, head to Val d’Aran in Catalonia, and you’ll find Baqueira Beret. It’s home to peaks over 9,500 feet/2,500 meters and stunning scenery across a whopping 95 miles/153 kilometers. Intermediates will go ga-ga here, with 43 blues and 46 reds to cruise ‘n’ rip. Looking for something more challenging? Baqueira Beret brings epic off-piste energy on a pow day, too. You can thank the resort’s predominantly north-facing position for that! 

Back on the varied slopes, Baqueira Beret has four distinct areas. Baqueira features wide-open runs for all abilities but holds the most black-rated and black-diamond slopes. Beret is perfecto for beginners and families, with a Funpark alongside tons of cafes, restaurants, and ski schools at the base. Bonaigua is a rad mix of both – there’s Port de la Bonaigua, a beginner area, and red and black-graded runs that’ll even test experts. Finally, Baciver is the resort’s highest point. It’s made up of six reds with incredible views. Then, it’s time to rest and recharge at one of Baqueira Beret’s 24 restaurants. Our fave is the slopeside Cafeteria 2000 – amazing vistas and even better pork sandwiches! 

Top tip: Experience chilled après vibes (and champagne) at Moët Winter Lounge or head to a DJ and live music bar at Baqueira 1500. 

Sierra Nevada

It’d be pretty sick to say you’ve skied Europe’s most southerly ski resort, right? Then aim for Sierra Nevada in the Penibetica mountain range in Granada, Andalusia. Its southern location means you’ll definitely want to pack the sunscreen – and avoid the dreaded ‘goggle tan’. But, how awesome to pair your snow fix with sun-worshipping right through to May? Yep, Sierra Nevada’s season runs long, thanks to some of its peaks reaching over 9,842-feet/3,000-meters. Sign us up!

As for the resort itself, its infrastructure is super sleek, with fast-running lifts. Beginners will thrive here with over 15 ski schools and 400 ski instructors to choose from! And, if you’re willing to explore, there are more than a few epic freeride lines to claim. When it’s time to refuel, don’t pass up La Fondue de Noa. As the name suggests, it serves mouth-watering fondue – so good it gives France a run for its money! We also love Tia Maria for post-shred beers in the sunshine, and HG Hotel Maribel for slopeside libations and lodging.

Top tip: Check out Snowpark Sulayr, Spain’s largest terrain park! It’s for all levels, with a minipark for beginners and an XXL line for experts (used as the Pro-line in the World Cup). Prep for some big kickers, then, alongside Spain’s largest halfpipe. Yew!

Formigal

We’re heading pretty close to the French border now in the Aragonese Pyrenees. Formigal is one of Spain’s biggest ski resorts, flexing its muscles with 97 slopes – including 38 blacks! Expert skiers have a few unmarked runs to show off their style, too. If you’re going to do anything, though, test your skills on the video-recorded timed slalom track. It’s addictive! Wake up to fresh pow? Rub your eyes to check you’re not dreaming and head for the Stadium slope, an often ungroomed red in Formigal’s Tres Hombres area. It’s the perfect place to claim those freshies! 

Formigal joins with neighboring Panticosa to make the Formigal–Panticosa ski area, a mind-boggling 109 miles/176 kilometers of terrain to play with. Formigal has wide-open slopes, while Panticosa takes you through stunning forests. So, there’s something for everyone. You can even secure your toboggan fix on the one-mile/two-kilometer-long illuminated track!

Top tip: Après, baby! There’s no better place to grab an ice-cold cerveza than Marchica, an open-air club with DJs and big vibes.

La Molina

Keen to bring the whole family? Set your sights on historic La Molina, about two hours from Barcelona. Opened in 1943 – and based in the Catalan Pyrenees – La Molina is where Spain’s first lift and ski school opened. Today, it’s a dream for riders and families. Beginners, in particular, can link their turns on 20 green slopes. If you’re after dreamy cruisers without the crowds, take a blue off the top of Puigllançada. A handful of red and black-rated slopes wake up those thighs. More of a one-plank rider? There’s an exclusive snowboarding area, too. 

La Molina joins nearby Masella to form the gigantic Alp 2500, with over 81 miles/130 kilometers to rip. With an Alp 2500 Ski Pass, you can access gnarlier Masella, popular with advanced skiers. It’s home to the Pyrenees’ largest floodlit ski area, too. When it’s time to refuel and recharge, ‌options are pretty limited in La Molina. However, sometimes, simplicity is sublime, and you can’t beat a cold beer and crepe in the sunshine at the main restaurant by the lift pass office. 

Top tip: Hit the Pyrenees’ biggest Superpipe. It’s 558 feet/170 meters long, 16 feet/5 meters high, 79 feet/24 meters wide on the outside, and 46 feet/14 meters inside. It sits in Alabau, a professional circuit in La Molina’s terrain park that hosts the World Cup and Spanish Championships. 

Alto Campoo

We’re aiming for Alto Campoo next in the Cantabrian mountains. It’s a poco resort that boosts beginner confidence, suits intermediates, and allows other riders to lap and carve 23 runs, nine of which are graded red. Plus, if you take Trail 12, Trail 8, Trail 6 and then the 1.5-mile-long/2.5-kilometer-long Río Híjar II, you have a three-mile/five-kilometer descent that’ll burn even the legs off advanced riders. If you prefer catching air over covering miles, there’s a small terrain park to stomp. 

Thanks to its north-facing slopes and altitude, Alto Campoo holds onto pow for a decent amount of time. However, unlike other locations on our list, Alto Campoo also has Brañavieja, a purpose-built ski town. That means there’s accommodation and restaurants, a swimming pool, and a nursery for little ones. If you have a car, order the delicious mountain stew at La Cotera, just a 10-minute drive away. It’s the perfect refuel recipe. 

Top tip: Make your friends jealous by posting insane views from Cumbre del Chivo (The Goat Peak). If you’re skilled enough, head down Los Asnons, a red run with breathtaking scenery throughout the valley.

Boí Taüll

Last but not least is Boí Taüll. You’ll find it in between the Aigüestortes National Park, Sant Maurici Lake, and the Vall de Boí, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Impressive combo, right? Boí Taüll’s northerly aspect also means it regularly preserves high-quality snow across 52 varied runs. We also love that Boí Taüll is rarely crowded, meaning you often have six greens, six blues, 15 reds, 16 blacks, a five-level Snowpark, and a few ungroomed runs all to yourself – right up to May. 

Keen for a slopeside refreshment? Our fave is definitely the Bar Font Ginebrell. At 2,035 feet/620 meters, it serves stunning views alongside coffee and burgers. Down in Boí Taüll’s base, mix things up ice skating or tobogganing. Then, it’s time to rest those legs. We 100% recommend splurging on the five-star Hotel AC. Soothe your muscles in the full-service spa or hold on to the day’s adrenaline in the arcade room. 

Top tip: On a lift and fancy having a hot toastie waiting for you at the bottom? Order it on La Guineu Cafe’s app and pick it up from the Click&Go collection point. Easy! 

Wrapping up 

Okay, has anyone else learned something new today? We have – it turns out Spain is a definite contender for where to ski in Europe. Plus, it comes with a healthy dose of sol, so we’re signing up. How about you?

Know of any other shred gems? Spill your secrets in the Dope Snow Community Facebook Group. You’ll mingle with other riders and even get exclusive peeks at our upcoming collection. It’s a slice of our VIP treatment. Sign us up for that, too!

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