A hidden gem in the heart of the Pyrenees
An uncrowded resort with Spanish hospitality, low prices and world-class skiing
We like to describe it as millionaire skiing, because it often feels like you have the mountain all to yourself! In Baqueira you can expect to be skiing fresh corduroy slopes all morning with no lift queues. There's a reason why this resort is often referred to as the best-kept secret!
Tapas and rioja on the mountain, what's not to love?! Baqueira has some superb restaurants offering tapas and other Spanish specialties. There is also the famous Moët champagne bar, which is visited by both celebrity royalty (like the Beckhams!) and the Spanish royal family.
Baqueira has become known as a haven for off-piste skiers and is home to some of the best itinerary runs in Europe. The famous Escornacrabes couloir (the translation meaning "where goats fall") was recently ranked as one of the best in the world by 'Fall Line' ski magazine.
Baqueira is the dream secret resort you’ve never heard of, with empty slopes, perfectly prepared pistes, beautiful scenery and low-priced mountain restaurants.
Why have you never heard of it? Because it’s in the Spanish Pyrenees and not the Alps, but the mountains are distinctly Alpine in scale and they boast an even better snow record. In fact, there's often so much that the snowploughs are still clearing the roads into mid-May!
Our guests return raving about this resort, as the skiing is good for all levels. The slope gradients are consistent, which is very helpful for beginners. Families love the village crèche and specific ski school for younger kids, whilst intermediates enjoy cruising the long, wide blue and red runs. There is also lots of easily accessible off-piste.
The open and varied terrain is popular with skiers and snowboarders alike, and there is even some black-diamond terror for the more hardcore snow-lover, including the notorious Escornacrabes couloir.
This was the view expressed by the renowned ski journalist Peter Hardy in an article that he wrote for The Telegraph:
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/articles/Baqueira-Beret-Spain-is-this-the-worlds-best-ski-resort
The food and drink prices beat most other European ski resorts, and our 6-day adult lift pass price is even better value than the kiosk price.
You will notice this everywhere, from the kind English-speaking ski instructors to the chatty restaurant staff. It makes everything a pleasure, from jumping on the lift in the morning to drinking your glass of Rioja at the end of the afternoon!
Years of investment in the lift system with 6-man chairlifts throughout the resort means a lack of queues, especially in January and March, when it can often feel like you have the runs to yourself.
You can look up at the spectacular views of the Cap de Baqueira whilst sipping pink champagne on your last run home of the day, and you might even bump into the Spanish royal family whilst you are there, as they enjoy coming to Baqueira as much as we do!
Baqueira is often described as the best-kept secret, as it is still relatively unknown because it's not in the Alps, so this means you can often have the mountain almost all to yourself. Join a local guide who will take you out and show you the spots only the locals know about. The BB Ski School can offer half or full days off-piste guiding.
If you want to have a truly memorable experience then why not try a heli-skiing adventure? Spain is one of the few European countries where you can heli-ski legally. Prices start at around €300 per person (minimum of 4 people) for two runs, including a guide, safety briefing and all the equipment you'll need for backcountry skiing or snowboarding (including equipment, transceivers, backpack, etc).
Moga offers a great array of skis and snowboards to rent, and their selection of brands and types of equipment makes their shop the perfect place to rent from.
With many major brands in stock and with the latest rocker and carving technology, you are guaranteed to find the best skis or snowboards available for any conditions.
Their staff are very friendly and helpful, and they also stock a wide range of clothing and equipment for sale.
The Baqueira British Ski School was founded in 2003 and they have been looking after Ski Miquel guests ever since then. They are the only British-owned ski school operating in Baqueira and they offer instruction for all levels and ages, for groups or private tuition. They also are able to provide off-piste guiding for half or full days.
The Moga Ski School was founded by Spanish winter Olympian Jose Moga and they have been the cornerstone of skiing in Baqueira ever since. They offer group ski lessons for children up to age 12, and they also offer competition training to help improve your technique.
A short bus ride down the Val d'Aran brings you to the picturesque villages of Arties and Veilha. The traditional Aranese villages are home to beautiful buildings with history on every corner and fantastic restaurants. In Arties you can visit the 13th Century Santa Maria d'Arties church, or head to Veilha and try the local culinary style of Pintxos (small tapas-like dishes on cocktail sticks) at Taberna Urtau.
Baqueira also has some fantastic winter walking trails. From Beret you can hike to the church at Montgarri, which was a well-trodden route during World War 2 when the French Resistance smuggled 20,000 Jews towards Portugal. It's a spectacular walk through the forests and worth a visit. There is a quicker option if you don't want to travel on foot, with the chance to drive a snowmobile, or even try a husky-drawn sled, both of which make for an unforgettable experience.
The village at 1500m was built to showcase the great skiing that the area has to offer and offers easy access to the main ski area of Baqueira, as well as the equally splendid Beret and Bonaigua.
The views of the thickly-wooded mountains of the Aran Valley and the Noguera Pallaresa-Bonaigua national park are without comparison, and it's easy to see why the Spanish royalty love this area so much.
The village was purpose built in the 1960's and has a good variety of amenities. The locals are amongst the friendliest you will encounter in any ski resort, with a plethora of small tapas restaurants and bars littered throughout the village - They love to talk with their customers, and they are often keen to know how you found out about Baqueira!
For the best tapas and traditional Spanish favourites, you can't go wrong with the Tanau restaurant. It offers a great array of classic tapas, as well as some Aranese specialties and fantastic steaks, all washed down with some superb local wine. With friendly and helpful staff to talk you through the menu and offering great value, it's a firm favourite with many of our guests.
A family favourite is Pizzaria Montgarri, located close to the Chalet Salana. Offering great-tasting pizzas, pastas and steaks, it lives up to the Spanish proverb "a full belly and a happy heart" and is super value. If you still have room after your main course, why not try the Crema Catalana for dessert?
On our staff night off, the Resort Manager can arrange a night out in the village of Arties. The price includes your meal, wine and return bus to the Pinotage restaurant, where their staff will prepare the greatest Spanish and African-inspired dishes. After your meal, go for a walk to see the sights in the village and learn some more about the local history of this wonderful corner of the world. Ask our Resort Manager for further information on this when you arrive in resort.
The recently renovated Baqueira Bar at the bottom of the slopes offers fantastic views at the base of the home run back into the village. With live DJ's and occasionally a live band, this is a popular spot to sit and watch the sun set over the tops of the mountains.
Bar Croack offers reasonably priced beer as well as tapas. They also serve 'Cerveza Inglesa' (English beer) in large pint glasses, which is always a big hit with our guests!
Tiffany's is the local night club for those who want to end their evening a little later than the rest. They also have an après-ski area, which is open most afternoons. It can be a popular spot, especially when they have a live band performing, so get there early to guarantee a seat!
There’s a reason why this resort is considered to be the favourite destination of the Spanish Royal family - it’s a largely undiscovered gem. Hardly any queues at half-term and once you are away from the gondola there were many occasions we were the only people on piste. The chalet is great and well laid out with good sized rooms. The food is fantastic and varied, even for the vegetarians in our group. The chalet staff are fun and engaging with Tom deserving a special mention, not only for his skiing ‘style’ but keeping us happy at all hours in the bar - be that in the bar, on the terrace or in the hot-tub! Thank you for a wonderful week.
Our family spent the Christmas week at Chalet-Hotel Salana with Ski Miquel and we had a fantastic time! It was our first ski holiday as a family and I’m so glad we chose to do the chalet option as it just made everything simple and stress-free. Ski Miquel organised our ski hire and passes before we flew and the manager took us down with the other guests to be fitted when we arrived. The chalet was warm and clean and had a lovely atmosphere. The hot tub was perfect for relaxing in after a hard day on the slopes. Canapes and drinks were served in the bar at 7.30pm where a roaring fire made everyone feel welcome and cosy. Tom mixed a mean G&T which went down well! Dinner cooked by Josh was superb - a mix of local and international dishes and there was enough variety to satisfy all appetites. The rooms were serviced each day. Hotel Salana is a short walk from the chair lifts….this holiday had it all! Oh and the skiing was just amazing - bright sunny days and enough coverage to go up to the highest slopes. Our family thoroughly recommend Ski Miquel and will hopefully be holidaying with them again in the future as we have all caught the ski bug.
Came with a large group of friends and the staff could not have been more accommodating, friendly or helpful. The ski guiding was superb and made the holiday. The chalet is well located in the village and a short walk to the slopes. It’s not 5 star as it is a little dated but this is reflected in the price!! AMAZING value for all you get so you can’t really mark them down too much for this. The food is good ‘home cooked’ style and varied. Wine aplenty! Skiing extensive and varied. If you want a great holiday on a budget in an excellent location and fabulous staff, then look no further.
We went back to Ski Miquel with a large group and stayed at Chalet-Hotel Salana. The staff couldn't do enough and the really friendly team we had second time of going there made it so enjoyable. Accommodation is basic but comfortable and welcoming. Ski hosting is a fantastic complimentary extra and ensures you see the whole resort and ski more miles. The food was really good. It's not Michelin star but it was above expectation in quality and variety. We were never left hungry and the wine flowed throughout the meal. We are returning guests with Ski Miquel and really rate them highly. If you are after 5 star luxury, you'll be paying £1,000 more per person but you don't need to with this exceptional value for money. Brilliant! Going again in 2021! Can't wait.
Staff were very friendly, food was good and we enjoyed the free guiding. A 5 minute walk to the main lift up the valley. We kept our skis and boots in the storage location by the lift - this was only 16 Euros for the week. 4 of us in the chalet with 19 in total - the atmosphere was cosy and easy to make friends with the other guests. Nice lounge with reasonably priced bar. We enjoyed the quiz night and the game of Articulate! Overall good value for money.
