Ski resorts in Spain and Andorra: a guide to choosing
From the big ski areas of the Pyrenees to resorts an hour from Madrid, Spain and Andorra have snow for every level. We look at the main ones by area. The kilometres and altitudes are those published by each resort in its official technical data: what is open each day depends on the snow.
Aramón Formigal-Panticosa (Valle de Tena, Huesca)
The big ski area of the Aragonese Pyrenees: according to its official data, 182 km of skiable terrain and 147 runs, between 1,145 and 2,265 metres.
Ideal for: skiers who want lots of kilometres and variety.
Aramón Cerler (Huesca)
In the Benasque valley, with 81 km of skiable terrain and the highest point in its data at 2,630 metres, according to its official website.
Ideal for: a week’s skiing in a valley with a real mountain atmosphere.
Candanchú and Astún (Huesca)
Two neighbouring resorts next to the French border, a few kilometres from Jaca, which share a website: 101 skiable km between the two, according to their joint data. Candanchú presents itself as a benchmark for family tourism.
Ideal for: families and skiers travelling from Jaca.
Baqueira Beret (Val d’Aran, Lleida)
One of the big ski areas of the Pyrenees: its official technical data gives 169 km of marked runs spread across the Baqueira, Beret, Bonaigua and Baciver sectors, between 1,500 and 2,610 metres.
Ideal for: longer breaks with a good choice of hotels and restaurants in the valley.
La Molina and Masella (Cerdanya)
Two neighbouring resorts that together form the Alp 2500 ski area. La Molina presents itself as the oldest ski resort in Spain and is a benchmark for adaptive skiing; Masella has floodlit runs for night skiing.
Ideal for: weekend breaks from Barcelona.
Sierra Nevada (Monachil, Granada)
Its official website speaks of 112.5 skiable km and the greatest skiable vertical drop in Spain, and presents it as one of the largest ski areas in southern Europe.
Ideal for: combining skiing with a visit to Granada, very close by.
Valdesquí (Rascafría, Madrid)
In the Sierra de Guadarrama, on the northern slope of the Bola del Mundo: 22.3 skiable km and 29 runs according to its technical data.
Ideal for: a day’s skiing from Madrid.
La Pinilla (Segovia)
In the Sistema Central, in the province of Segovia. It offers a bus from Madrid on some days of the season.
Ideal for: learning to ski without going to the Pyrenees.
Alto Campoo (Cantabria)
24 km from Reinosa, in the Cordillera Cantábrica, with around 30 skiable km between 1,650 and 2,125 metres, according to its official website.
Ideal for: skiing close to the Cantabrian coast.
San Isidro (León)
Between Puebla de Lillo and Valdelugueros, with 27.4 km of alpine runs plus special runs and itineraries, according to its official information.
Ideal for: skiers from north-west Spain.
Grandvalira (Andorra)
It was born in 2003 from the merger of Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig and Soldeu-El Tarter, and its website presents it as the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees, with 215 skiable km and seven linked sectors.
Ideal for: those who want lots of kilometres and a mountain-village atmosphere.
Pal Arinsal (La Massana, Andorra)
Formerly known as Vallnord, with the Pal and Arinsal sectors and 63 km of runs according to its website. It presents itself as the most family-friendly option in Andorra and is reached by gondola from La Massana.
Ideal for: families with children who are beginners.
Tips for your snow break
The season runs roughly from December to April, depending on each year’s snow: check each resort’s opening date.
Buy your lift pass online and in advance: it usually works out better than at the ticket office and you avoid queues.
Check the snow report on the day: the kilometres in the technical data are the maximum, not what is open.
Check road conditions and carry snow chains or winter tyres. Some resorts have a bus or gondola from the village.