Active tourism for discovering Spain in the snow
Snowshoes, ski tours, igloos and ascents expand the map of winter experiences from the Pyrenees to Sierra Nevada
Winter in Spain multiplies the possibilities of active tourism with mountain experiences for different ages and levels of intensity. The major ski resorts serve as the starting point for an offering that is expanded with snowshoe trails or workshops for learning how to build an igloo. Those seeking a greater challenge can opt for climbs on snow or ice, while nighttime activities offer another way to experience the mountain. These proposals extend to Catalonia and Aragón and are also present in Andalusia. The tour also covers Asturias, Castile and León, Navarre and the Community of Madrid. Tena Valley embodies the potential to transform a day on the snow into a complete experience. Tena Park combines igloo building, snowshoe trails, 4x4 snowmobile rides, bivouac and proposals that bring together activities, landscape and gastronomy. This offer is perfect for families and groups of friends aged 12 and over, who, accompanied by an expert mountain guide, are able to experience the snow not only as a surface for sports but as a setting for coexistence, learning and adventure.
Aragón expands this range with alpine ski resorts and “Nordic Spaces” scattered from the Pyrenees to the Teruel mountain ranges, capable of offering different stays according to the desired intensity. In Tena Valley, moreover, it is possible to combine various disciplines in a single getaway and approach the mountain through experiences with varying levels of demand. Asturias combines Fuentes de Invierno and Valgrande-Pajares with an offer that goes far beyond the slopes. Alpine skiing coexists alongside snowboarding, cross-country or backcountry skiing and snowshoe outings through the Gumial forest, the Picos de Europa, the Meicín Refuge, Tabayón del Mongayu or Cueto de Arbas. The offer also includes full moon hikes and trips through Tarna, Somiedo, Las Ubiñas and their natural surroundings, thus expanding the ways in which to explore the winter territory. Navarre proposes a winter at a slightly different pace in Larra-Belagua and Irati-Abodi, two benchmarks for Nordic skiing, to which guided or independent snowshoe routes can be added. The Aralar, Urbasa and Andía and Roncesvalles mountain ranges and the Aezkoa, Salazar and Roncal valleys create a backdrop where snow can also be enjoyed among family with sleds, games and walks, without the day needing to be all about alpine skiing.
In Montaña Palentina, this experience gains in verticality. The mountaineering trails between Piedrasluengas and Peña Labra, Brañosera and Valdecebollas or Cardaño de Arriba and Pico de Murcia show the most demanding side of winter, in combination with climbing on the Pico Valdecebollas icefalls. For less technical approaches, snowshoes open up the possibility of routes towards Mazobre Waterfall or Pozo de las Lomas. Sierra de Guadarrama, divided between the Community of Madrid and Castile and León, take adventure into the realm of winter mountaineering. Peñalara, Cabezas de Hierro and Valdemartín, La Maliciosa, Siete Picos, Peñas de la Barranca or Cuerda de las Buitreras feature gullies, ridges, slopes and couloirs which, depending on the conditions, can take on an alpine character. This experience demands greater preparation: crampons and an ice axe, technical knowledge, checking the weather forecast and paying close attention to the snowpack condition and avalanche risk are non-negotiable parts of the activity. Sierra Nevada adds another dimension with flexible schedules and formats. Every Sunday during the season and weather permitting, the Primeras Huellas programme allows guests to ski before the general opening, that is, between 7:30 and 9:00 in the morning. This offer is complemented by timed slalom races, guided routes, snowshoe excursions through Borreguiles, Prado Redondo or Suerte de Fuente Alta, night outings on snow grooming machines, the chance to drive one of these machines and dinners at Borreguiles at 2,700 metres above sea level. The resort also offers night skiing and snowboarding, adding the opportunity to extend the experience once the atmosphere on the slopes changes. Skiing remains a fundamental pillar of the Spanish winter with resorts like Formigal-Panticosa, Baqueira Beret and Sierra Nevada, alongside facilities distributed throughout various regions. Madrid Snozone features an indoor slope that enables skiing 365 days a year. Whether on snowshoes or skis, touring circuits or climbing ascents, enjoying night activities or building igloos, each destination creates a different relationship with the snow.