Undiscovered Baquiera Beret: Spain’s Beautiful Ski Scene

For all their benefits, the most well-known ski resorts in France and Switzerland can be severely overcrowded at the peak of the season. Lift queues are long and collisions are an ever-present risk, which, apart from anything else, often pushes the cost of winter sports insuranceup. Luckily, there is another way. Read on to discover a beautiful, serene winter resort you may never have heard of...

The Resort

Located deep in the heart of the Pyrenees mountains, Baquiera Beret is the most popular and luxurious resort in Spain. Spanning the Aran and Aneu valleys, Baquiera is between 1,500 and 2,510m above sea-level. It has 157kms of piste, with plenty of dedicated space for beginners. Intermediate and advance skiers are even better catered for, as the resort boasts a large number of blue and red runs as well as some challenging blacks.  

The Scenery

The landscape of the Pyrenees is less dramatic than the Alps, so the terrain is safe and the off-piste areas are quite accessible- having said that, it’s always best to take a guide just to be on the safe side. If you do venture off-piste you’ll be able to explore the region’s rolling hills, carpeted in thick white snow. The abundant powder forms drifts and dunes, which undulate away before rising into crisp rocky peaks. It’s truly beautiful and absolutely memorable.

The Clientele

Baquiera is in many ways one of European skiing’s best kept secrets. It shows up every now and again in magazines and newspapers, listed as one of the finest, most extravagant resorts on the continent. But those in the know don’t need any more convincing. It’s especially popular among Spain’s high society, and even members of the royal family come here to holiday. 

Other Activities

You’ve already had to purchase winter sports insurance for your ski trip so it’d be a shame not to get your money’s worth! At the less extreme end of the spectrum, snow-shoeing offers a great way to see more of that fantastic scenery up close. If you’d rather lie back and relax as you move through the winter wonderland, sleighs pulled by huskies or horses are also available.

There’s also a lot on offer for thrill-seekers. Snow parks with half-pipes, jumps, rails and more provide the opportunity to add some flair to your snow style. The main adrenaline based attraction, though, is heli-skiing. Because of its lack of crowding, Baquiera is one of the best places in Europe to hire out a helicopter and make your own custom run back. Again, guides are a must, but it’s so well worth it. After leaving the take-off point in the chopper, you’ll fly over the jaw-dropping landscapes to a selected high peak and from there you can choose your own route back. It’s the kind of ‘once in a lifetime’ experience many people find themselves coming back to again and again.

Before you Go

With all this on offer, it’d be easy to get excited and book your tickets on the spot. It’s vital, however, that at the same time as you book your flights and accommodation you also purchase a decent winter sports insurance policy. Even falls from standing height can be perilous if you land wrong, and the last thing you need on top of an injury is a hefty hospital bill. Make sure you’re covered with a good winter sports insurance policy and you’ll have nothing to worry about except perfecting your skills!

Author Plate

Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of InsureMore, an award-winning team of specialists in global single trip, family, annual and comprehensive insurance. If you're looking for the best winter sports insurance to any destination worldwide, InsureMore has the best policies to suit. Besides offering great deals on travel insurance, Patrick also collects and shares the best free travel competitions to help his clients get the most out of their holidays.