Baqueira Beret
Spain's largest ski resort offers excellent value for money for all standard of skiers
Baqueira Beret resort guide - a general overview
Baqueira is Spains largest resort, split into three separate zones, each with its own distinct look and feel. Nucleo was the original resort which opened back in the 1960s, while Ruda is a whole new area built in 2017, with its modern 5 star hotels and luxury apartments as well as a covered shopping gallery. Then on hillside above Nucleo you will find the area known as Tanau. Tapas restaurants and wine bars are peppered throughout the resort, offering low-key après with a Spanish flavour.
For apres ski the place to be seen is at the bottom of the slope by the main bubble where there are usually DJ'S playing a set and to a hip crowd. If you dont fancy loud music then you can simply relax and unwind, with lots of the local hotels offering excellent spas facilities and pools. If you want to take a break from skiing why not take an afternoon off and visit the nearby town of Vielha. A 20-minute bus ride away, this authentic town's just the spot to get a feel for the local culture.
The slopes are split into three distinct but very well connected areas - Baquiera, Beret and Bonaigua. Theres a nursery area with nearby greens to get you started, and a little further afield there are long, wide intermediate runs parctically all of them above the tree line. For more advanced terrain, there are plenty of blacks and powder-filled bowls below the Cap de Baqueira peak.
Resort stats
170km
1,500m - 2,610m
Level of skiing
- Beginners
- Intermediates
- Experts
- Snow sure
- Off-piste
- Ski area
Qualities
- Charm factor
- Non-skiers
- Nightlife
- Resort layout
- Fine dining
- Short transfer
- Resort value
Airports
- Toulouse
- 2 hours 15 mins
- Barcelona
- 4 hours
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Those looking for a different experience from the Alps.
- Very good value for money.
- Excellent food and wine.
- Few crowds outside peak weeks.
- Skiing for all levels.
Cons
- Late season snow in Spring gets soft after lunch.
- Still some slow, old lifts.
- Some of the orginal buildings are a bit drab.
Restaurants
Baqueira Beret Resort Restaurants
For delicious pizzas we recommend Pizzeria La Montgarri. The Place to Peak gastro-bar is a locals' favourite offering good beers and plenty of tapas and local food. For simple tapas try Tamarro-Croack. For classic Spanish dishes the Pecado and La Borda Lobato are good choices. For more of an international flavour Ticolet is recommended. If you want a more exclusive experience any of the restaurants in the three 5-star hotels in the area of Baqueira Ruda are worth booking. The Hincha restaurant in the hotel MIM Baqueira is particularly good. If you hire a car there are many good local restaurants within 10 / 15 minutes of Baqueira in places like Salardu, Unha, and Tredos. Our favourite is the Vinoteca Eth Cerer in the centre of Unha. Amazing home cooking.
Baqueira Beret Mountain Restaurants
The Moet Winter Lounge is for the indulgent skier, with a massive terrace offering every brand of champagne, some nice sushi dishes accompanied by some Ibizia beats. For excellent local cuisine Cinco Jotas grill is excellent. The self-service restaurant at the mid-station called Free Flow Bosque is a good place to get a quick bite, other restaurants you can try are Parrec Bosque and Restaurant 2200.
Baqueira Beret Apres Ski
The Baqueira Bar 1500 is the après ski bar at the bottom of the slopes; music, and drinks are the order of the day. For sports fans head to the Drinkery Sports bar in the Hotel Montarto.
Baqueira Beret Nightlife
There is not too much going on at night besides a few bars most of which are in one of the many hotels in the resort.
Funicular
Cable Car
Gondola
Chair lift
Drag lift
Property
