This ski resort at Val d'Aran in Catalonia, Spain is generally known as Baqueira; however it consists of three areas: Beret, Baqueira and Bonaigua. The highest peak is in Beret measuring 2,516m, and the resort offers a whole range of services in different regions which facilitate the comfort of skiers. This review will look at the beginner areas of Baqueira.
Information on Val d'Aran
Val d'Aran belongs to the Province of Lleida and has its own dialect called aranés, which is different from catalán, the official language of the autonomous community Catalonia. The valley is surrounded by small towns with typical mountain houses which give a charming change of views from nearby cities.
The highways are in excellent condition and of easy access which wind in and out of the border of the Province of Aragón.
It is at the frontier of France and is only around 100 km from Toulouse.
Baqueira Ski Packages
Baqueira offers a whole range of packages with hotels in Val d'Aran, which can be booked directly online on their home page. Needless to say there are many hotels and hostels in nearby towns which cater to different budgets. There are two national paradores nearby, the Parador of Arties and the Parador of Vielha, the latter of which offers more promotions throughout the year and is situated in a more charming location, though it is a little bit farther away from the ski resort. This Suite101 article contains information on taking advantages of these promotions.
Review of Baqueira
Parking is provided just at the stop of the telecabina (more popularly known as telehuevo, "tele egg"), "gondola lift." However, one has to walk quite a bit with the ski boots on and carry the skis and ski poles to get to the stop from the underground car park. The gondola lift is the only entrance to the tracks, and for those who are not going to ski, they will have to buy a pass in order to get in.
At mid-level the gondola lift makes a stop for those who choose to park their cars in another car park. Here there is an option of taking the chairlift. However, it is not permitted to go for a ride simply to appreciate the beautiful view, though there is not a long queue for getting up or down. One can still do it if one does not mind being chided by the staff. It is indeed worth it because the view is spectacular.
For the beginner areas, there is a selection of ski escalators, ski tows and chairlifts, which offer a wide range of tracks for practice. For those who are not familiar with Spanish culture, they should not be flabbergasted when the queue is not observed. In the morning busy hours it is advisable to keep one's space well guarded if one wants to use any of these facilities.
Monitors who give classes to children and adults, individually or in groups, encourage such behaviour because, understandably, they would like their clients to get their money's worth. If one is not their client, one's time naturally is not their concerns.
Little children of three years old would not hesitate to squeeze into the tiniest space left in between skiers and often one's skis are stepped on in order to prevent one's advance in the queue. After several days of classes these students have become experts in jumping queues. It is highly recommended to be more aggressive and less polite.
The Spanish lunch hour starts at 2. By that time most people are eating and the tracks are free. Foreign visitors who do not mind eating earlier can take advantage of this. It is advisable to bring a sandwich because it can take up to half an hour to wait for one's turn to get lunch in the bar and restaurant, not to mention the over priced food served there.
In the afternoons, the tracks are less crowded and the pass for after 2 o'clock is half the official price. The tracks close at 5 p.m.
Some advice for those who are easy to embarrass, shy away from the toilets at the bar mid-level to the track Rabada, because the windows are completely transparent and anyone who kneels down suddenly on the staircase will get a glance of one's most private activity.
Another surprise is the litter which hides itself in the snow. Cigarette ends, chocolate bar wrappings, potato chips and slices of discarded bread are by no means strangers on the tracks. But do not be concerned because they do not really affect other activities.
Ski Resort Baqueira in Catalonia Pyrennes
A ski holiday in Baqueira provides an occasion for experiencing Spanish culture. The view of the mountains and the valley is magnificent and Baqueira offers a wide range of slopes and tracks for skiers of different levels.
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