Have you seen the Catalan Pyrenees this winter? You probably got amazed when you saw the peaks covered with snow, hidden under a thick white layer that spreads all over the mountain range and has also dyed white all the landscapes of the villages and valleys that are not used to such an idyllic scenery. Snow is magic. Its presence changes it all. The Pyrenees experience that soft metamorphose every year, passing from the exuberant green of a summer full of emotions and outdoor activities to another absolutely fascinating natural scenery that offers all kinds of adventures and endless snow activities to enjoy with your kids, your family or your friends. The different ski resorts have designed a wide range of ski options (all disciplines included), whereas the local rural companies offer amazing discovery and orientation activities and other options to enjoy the mountain world during the winter months.
If you haven’t done it yet, try snowshoeing! This is a unique way of enjoying high mountain in winter, at your own pace, feeling the snow rustling under each step, which besides does not require much equipment nor specific technique. This traditional way of winter hiking will allow you to walk deep inside some landscapes that would be difficult to access to with other skiing techniques. Go for your first snowshoeing outing or for a new crossing in Vallter 2000 or Port del Compte. Val d’Aran and Pallars regions also offer guided walks and customized routes, from family hikes like night sessions under the moon through the magic forests of Alt Pirineu in Tavascan, to multi-day ascents or treks.
Another way that allows you to get into the heart of the most captivating landscapes of the year is cross-country skiing. This is another excellent activity to enjoy snow adventure, whether in short and flat routes if you have never done it, or uphill with sealskin! In Port del Comte, Vallter 2000 and in the area of Aigüestortes i Sant Maurici National Park, you will find a wide range of activities (equipment included) to spend a fantastic winter sports day with your family. And if you want some adrenaline rush, go for El Repte (the Challenge) in Ripollès and Cerdagne regions. These guided outings of cross-country skiing are aimed at all levels, from beginners to skilled skiers, and will allow you to discover all the secrets of that discipline.
The most experienced skiers will be delighted with the Chariots of fire crossing (Carros de Foc), a 5-day guided trek through the Western Pyrenees that rimes with wonderful descents, fresh tracks in lonely valleys, and comfortable mountain huts. A great snow and nature experience that will remain deep in your mind and soul.
Alpine skiing and snowboard lovers will find a wide range of options to enjoy their favourite sport or to discover it for the first time. The ski resorts of the Catalan Pyrenees represent a unique scenery that offers you everything you need to connect with the snow like never before.
Eventually, if you look for a unique experience to feel comfortably enwrapped by the winter, go for Bahns de Tredós (Tredós Baths), in Salardú (Alt Pirineu region). Go up to unimaginable spots on board a snowmobile or gliding on a splitboard, switching your cross-country skis for a snowboard and enjoying long paradisiac descents. And to finish up the experience, spend the night there and wake up amid a site you have never imagined before.
