La Cerdanya - the best destination for skiing in the Pyrenees

Of all the sporting and recreational opportunities offered by the Cerdanya one stands out above the rest: skiing. The county not only has golf courses and horse riding, but also a wide range of sports facilities for practising a variety of multi-sports activities. It also has an indoor swimming pool and ice rink - the ice hockey is the national sport in Cerdanya-among others. In addition, there is an aerodrome with balloon and glider flights, and outdoor activities such as hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, mountain biking and paragliding.

However, in spite of this wide range of sporting options, the skiing still plays an important role in the region. This sport has been, and continues to be, a fundamental driving force in the economic and social development of the region, which is home to numerous ski resorts, some of which are very close to each other. Upper and Lower Cerdanya -and, by proximity, also Capcir - have up to 10 alpine ski resorts (including Puyvalador and Puigmal, although they are currently closed) and another 5 resorts of nordic skiing.

Skiing: economic engine of Cerdanya

The skiing has been, for years, one of the most important economic driving forces of the Cerdanya. Tourism, hospitality and construction activities have developed around this sport, which has also transformed the social life of the region. The Cerdanya offers a wide variety of skiing beyond traditional alpine skiing and snowboarding, thanks to the constant evolution of equipment and resorts.

The ski resorts in the region have been modernised, with gondola lifts and chairlifts and the most advanced technology for snow production, even when temperatures are barely above freezing.

The beginnings and rise of skiing in La Cerdanya

Skiing in Cerdanya began more than a hundred years ago. At the beginning of the 20th century, members of the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya made their first descents in La Molina. The resort of La Molina opened in 1943, was the first to open in Catalonia and the first to put into operation a mechanical ski lift. The train line R3 Barcelona-Puigcerdà (1922) contributed to the development of this activity.

In 1946, the station put into operation its first chairlift - Turó de la Perdiu and, in 1954, the first gondola lift gondola lift was inaugurated in 1954.

Alpine ski resorts in lower Cerdanya

If we focus on alpine skiing, in Lower Cerdanya two nearby resorts stand out: La Molina and Masella. La alp 2500 link between both resorts (starting in 1968) is the most extensive offer in this part of the Pyrenees. The area, which accumulates an offer of 145 kilometres of slopes, has 33 ski lifts and 131 pistes, the most outstanding being the cadí-Moixeró gondola lift, cable car, which covers in just 20 minutes the difference in height between the car park at La Molina and La Tosa (2,537 metres).

An important feature of these resorts is their capacity to transport skiers, with a total capacity of 43,590 skiers/hour total capacity of 43,590 skiers per hour.

Advanced technology and other winter activities

Thanks to a modern snowmaking network, the seasons in the Pyrenees are considerably extended. Recently, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Railways) has promoted the Snow Laboratory which aims to reduce water consumption by up to 40%.

Both resorts offer a variety of services and activities, such as a slalom stadium, the super-pipe of the Pyrenees, circuits for snowshoeing circuits and activities for all the family, such as tobogganing.

Nordic skiing and other types of skiing in Cerdanya

La Cerdanya also has nordic skiing such as Guils Fontanera, Aransa and Lles de Cerdanya, which are open during the winter season. These places are ideal for practising snowshoeing, which have gained great popularity in recent years, especially among families looking for recreational activities in the snow.

Finally, the ski mountaineering or Skimo has gained momentum in recent years. This modality, which does not require prepared resorts, allows you to ascend to summits or peaks and then descend. If you are new to this practice, we advise you to seek professional advice before embarking on the adventure.