Baqueira Beret Ski Resort

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Baqueira Beret ski resort, Spain.
Baqueira Beret ski resort, Spain.
Baqueira Beret skiing.
Baqueira Beret skiing.
Ski Baqueira Beret Spain.
Ski Baqueira Beret Spain.
Baqueira Beret ski resort.
Baqueira Beret ski resort.
Baqueira Beret ski resort.
Baqueira Beret ski resort.
Baqueira Beret learn to ski.
Baqueira Beret learn to ski.
Baqueira Beret skiing.
Baqueira Beret skiing.
Baqueira Beret ski resort.
Baqueira Beret ski resort.
Baqueira Beret skiing.
Baqueira Beret skiing.
Baqueira Beret ski resort.
Baqueira Beret ski resort.
Hotel Tuc Blanc is affordable & right on the slopes at Baqueira
Hotel Tuc Blanc is affordable & right on the slopes at Baqueira
Early season powder at Baqueira Beret (photo - Susanne Schwedhelm)
Early season powder at Baqueira Beret (photo - Susanne Schwedhelm)
Heliskiing & helitouring is available at Vielha, close to Baqueira Beret
Heliskiing & helitouring is available at Vielha, close to Baqueira Beret
Discover awesome Baqueira Beret off-piste & sidecountry with Roger Mountain Guide
Discover awesome Baqueira Beret off-piste & sidecountry with Roger Mountain Guide
Access great terrain at Baqueira Beret with only a short walk from the lifts (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)
Access great terrain at Baqueira Beret with only a short walk from the lifts (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)
Ski tour to the best snow near Baqueira Beret (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)
Ski tour to the best snow near Baqueira Beret (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)
Heliski at Baqueira Beret (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)
Heliski at Baqueira Beret (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)
Explore Baqueira Beret
Explore Baqueira Beret's massive off-piste terrain (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)
Off-piste skiing in Baqueira Beret sidecountry (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)
Off-piste skiing in Baqueira Beret sidecountry (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)
Ski Baqueira Beret (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)
Ski Baqueira Beret (photo: Roger Mountain Guide)

Baqueira Beret Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Baqueira Beret

Baqueira Beret5/51
Baqueira Beret5 out of 5 based on 1 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
Ski touring in the last best place on earth at Finnmark in Arctic Norway with Powderhounds partner Up Guides
Wagner Custome Skis

Maps & Stats

    Baqueira Beret Ski Trail Map
  • Baqueira Beret Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    1,500m - 2,610m (1,110m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    Unknown
  • Lifts (28)
    1 Gondola
    19 Chairs
  • Opening Times
    Late Nov to early April
    8:45am to 4:45pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 167km (incl. routes)
    Longest run - 6km+
    Advanced - 20%
    Intermediate - 32%
    Beginner - 48%
  • Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 23/24
    Adult - €55 to 59
    Child - €36.50 to39
    Child u/6yr - €6

Baqueira Beret Ski Resort Spain

In the heart of the Pyrenees mountains in Catalonia, Baqueira Beret is Spain's largest & some would say, best ski resort. Whilst the resort has the country's most expensive lift pass price, relative to the rest of Europe (except maybe some Italian & French Haute Maurienne ski resorts!), it is still sensational value. Powderhounds is constantly told that the off- piste freeride & backcountry snow & terrain at the resort, and more generally in the Val d'Aran, is world-class on its day. We do hope to sample it one day for ourselves.

Pros & Cons for Baqueira Beret Ski Resort

Pros

  • Majority of terrain above 2,000m elevation.
  • Skiable vertical of over 1,100m.
  • Efficient lift system throughout the resort.
  • Incredible amount of high-quality off-piste, backcountry & ski-touring terrain available.
  • Expansive on-piste trail network for all abilities.
  • Very quiet during the week.

Cons

  • Expensive lift pass comparative the rest of the country (but on a par with major Alps resorts).
  • Snow quality is becoming increasingly variable due the warming climate.
  • Public transport access by train & bus is poor.
  • Can be incredibly busy during weekends and holiday periods.

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

  • Over 40 ski schools to choose from!
  • Accommodation in the resort villages is mostly apartments & chalets with limited hotels, and those tend to be high-end.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

Baqueira Beret has expansive skiing & snowboarding terrain served by an efficient lift system including a gondola & 19 chairlifts. Terrain is generally high alpine, the majority of which is over 2,000m altitude, assuring the best possible snow conditions in what can be a challenging region in a world of rising temperatures! The resort's 167km of marked trails is exceptionally diverse and includes expert (double black diamond) trails & freeride routes on 1,110m of skiable vertical, spread across a sprawling 11km of mountain peaks. The highest lifted elevation is over 2,610m.

Before we get there to sample it for ourselves, check out the ski trail map.

Baqueira Beret Ski Trail Map
Baqueira Beret Ski Trail Map

Those with a good sense of topography will scope out excellent freeride lines within a short walk from the top of the lifts. With no uphill skinning involved, 900m vertical descents to the small village of Bagergue, or on north-aspect slopes to the hamlet of Montgarri are great fun. A local mountain guide can be handy to show the expansive backcountry beyond the more obvious lines. Also, some of the region's best & longest off-piste descents require some form of motorised transport (taxi or snowmobile) to get back into the resort, so a local guide can be doubly handy to help arrange such things!

Pyrenees Heliskiing operates from the major town of Vielha, a short drive west of Baqueira Beret.

Snow & Weather

The Pyrenees can be a feast & famine ski region. The feasts come often, with cold dry champagne powder the likes of which would be normally seen in Utah, Japan, or the high Alps. But after the feast, long periods of above freezing temperatures & warm cloudless days can (& do more regularly) occur, impacting snow quality. Snow making technology has offset most of the issues on-piste, but if looking to ski or board the region's amazing off-piste terrain in powder, it is best to leave your travel options to the Pyrenees flexible & go when the combination of snow base & forecast align. Or just do as most ordinary folk do, travel there when you can, make the most of what you have & enjoy sliding on whatever type of snow is available. The good news is that at Baqueira, that probably means all of the piste trails will be open, but it just might not be dry, cold & squeaky snow you were hoping for. And remember this when sliding down some sun-softened slush in the Pyrenees, it could be raining like it did in Japan most of January 2020! Even the snowiest places have warming temperatures these days!

Where is Baqueira Beret Spain?

Baqueira Beret ski resort is set on the pass between the Val d’Aran & Vall d'Àneu of the Catalonian Pyrenees mountains. The main village of Baqueira is around 275km (3½ to 4hr) by road northwest of the international airport at Barcelona (BCN). The major town of Vielha is 14km west of Baqueira and is linked to the resort via local bus.

The capital of Andorra, Andorra la Vella, is only 50km east of Baqueira Beret, but a 2½hr (130km) journey by road. From France, the airport at Toulouse (TLS) is also a 2½hr (180km) drive away, providing an alternative international gateway to the resort, particularly for European & UK skiers. Note though that the road travel times can vary greatly in winter conditions

Getting to the ski resort from any of the airports by anything other than car is convoluted, or restrictive at best. One public bus a day makes the direct run from Barcelona airport as far as Vielha. It leaves mid-afternoon & does not arrive until 2045hr. The return airport bus leaves Vielha at the excruciating time of 0500hr. Check out the ALSA bus website for tickets. The ‘least worst’ options are renting a car or taking a private transfer. Note that rental cars in the region are generally not winterised other than coming with snow chains. A private transfer can be pricey but convenient & not so hard on the wallet if in a group of 3 or more.

Search & book private transfers to Baqueira Beret.

Baqueira Beret Ski Accommodation

The ski resort has three main village areas, the largest of which is Baqueira at 1,500m elevation. The smaller village of Bonaigua is higher in the resort, but both tend to share a common architectural theme best left to the 1970s! Many of the lodging options are either self-contained apartments or chalets, but there are several highly rated hotels in Baqueira including several 5-stars like the Hotel Val de Neu & Meliá Royal Tanau, plus some better value 4-stars like the Hotel Montarto & the 3-star Hotel Tuc Blanc (situated right near the slopes at the gondola station.

Search & book Baqueira Beret ski accommodation.

Down the valley, west of the resort in the Val d'Aran toward the large vibrant town of Vielha are numerous traditional cobble stoned, hillside villages. The likes of Arties & Garós provide a true Spanish lodging & cuisine experience. Several excellent hotels & guesthouses are clustered in each village. A local bus links them to the ski resort. Vielha is worthy of a night out to sample the many rowdy tapas bars, particularly if you have never experienced them anywhere else in Spain.

[AdListings Filter="Baqueira Beret Packages"]

Ski Rentals

Ski rentals from our partner organisations are available in the main resort village of Baqueira, adjacent to the ski lifts plus in the valley approaches at the towns of Vielha to the west & Esterri d'Aneu to the east. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Baqueira Beret Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

Ski Lessons & Mountain Guiding Services are available in the ski resort. For options, see our Baqueira Beret Ski Lessons & Guiding page.

Review

The Powderhounds were hoping to review the Spanish Pyrenees & Baqueira Beret in season 2019/20. We visited Andorra & La Molina-Masella, but after a stellar start to the season, snow conditions in the Pyrenees had become impacted by a prolonged warm, dry spell. Skiing in the sun is nice....... but only to a point! We journeyed north to ‘whiter pastures’ in the Alps instead. We will try again next season as Baqueira Beret has awesome terrain and should be a great ski experience. More information will come after we visit.

See how the rest of the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.

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Tours in or near Bacqueira Beret

Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area Tours

Baqueira Off Piste Discover
GUIDED OFF-PISTE SKIING
Private or Mixed (Shared) Group
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Full day guided off-piste skiing for all abilities at Spain's premier ski resort, Baqueira Beret. Long descents of 1,100m vertical, comprising open easy slopes, forests, bowls, gullies, couloirs make this playground a freeride paradise. Private singles or groups apply for your best dates, or join another group.
Price p/p From price based on a group of 6 people.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 81
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Freeride Week Baqueira Beret
MULTI-DAY GUIDED OFF-PISTE SKIING
4 Ski Days | Private Group
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Enjoy 4 full days exploring Spain's premier ski resort & freeride paradise, Baqueira Beret. After long descents of 1,100m vertical in open easy slopes, forests, bowls, gullies, & couloirs, you are then transported back to the resort by taxi & snowmobile. Private singles or groups apply for your best dates ....
Price p/p From price based/person in a group of 6 people.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 400
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See all Single-Base, Single-Ski-Area tours that visit Baqueira Beret here

Backcountry Skiing Tours

Pyrenees Ski Tour - Carros de Foc Circuit
GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOUR
7 Days | 6 Nights | 5 Ski Days
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Fully hosted & guided small group backcountry ski touring in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, one of the most beautiful in the Spanish Pyrenees. Stay in mountain huts & ski untracked powder. Private singles or groups apply for your best dates. or join a group.
Price p/p From price based on 2 nights hotel & 4 nights shared hut lodgings in a private group of 4 to 6 guests.
Base/invoice currency is in CHF inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,204
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See all Backcountry Skiing tours that visit Baqueira Beret here
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