Skiing fans, are you looking for a cozy hotel with that special something near Baqueira Beret ski resort in the Aran Valley? If the answer is yes, we've got just want you need. You can take your pick of our two Paradores in the Aran Valley: the Parador de Artíes and the Parador de Vielha.
Both are spectacular! Artíes is a little closer to the ski resort (about 7 km). The town is like something out of a fairytale, with perfect stone houses and an excellent selection of restaurants. Highlights include the fashionable après ski spot Dry Snow Artíes, a restaurant and cocktail bar where everything is delicious! Vielha is about 16 km from Baqueira Beret, but it has a wonderful spa and a restaurant with spectacular views of the entire valley. The 1960s-style building has a special charm and the town is among those with the best atmosphere and the most services in the area.
Both hotels offers a number of conveniences for skiers, including the option of picking up your ski pass in reception (avoiding lines and allowing you to load it with as many days as you like online) and discounts for Paradores guests at a local company offering ski rental and lessons (ProCenter).
And there's more:
Days 1 and 2: enjoy the skiing
We recommend grabbing your gear and spending the first two days of your visit on the nearby slopes at Baqueira Beret, enjoying the king of winter sports.
If you're not familiar with the resort, we encourage you to give it a try: it is truly amazing and incredibly convenient (and if you've been there before, well, then you already know!). There is a free outdoor parking area (but you'll need to arrive early to nab a spot) and another covered pay area. From either, it is easy to get to what they call el huevo (the egg), a cable car that runs from 1500 meters (town and parking areas) up to 1800 meters (where you can pick up the surface and aerial lifts to Bonaigua, Beret or stick to the Baqueira slopes).
After an exhausting day on the slopes, you'll want to get your strength back with dinner at the Parador restaurant. At the Parador de Artíes, you can enjoy the Dry Snow Restaurant & Cocktail Bar. This spot was created specifically with après ski in mind. You can sample the best in traditional Arán Valley cuisine, together with the finest selection of cocktails inspired by the valley. The perfect combination!
At the Parador de Vielha, relax before dinner in the wonderful spa. This magnificent spot allows you to take in all the majesty of the Pyrenees while unwinding after a thrilling day of skiing. And to round off an excellent day, dine at the Parador's glass-enclosed circular restaurant. You can savor such specialties as: pig's feet carpaccio with bouquet of roses, Ibérico ham and foie gras mi-cuit, caracoles a la llauna (baked snails), roast shoulder of suckling lamb with aromas of Montgarri, Aran Valley sturgeon with priorat wine reduction and pescajus (crêpes) filled with apple compote.
Day 3: exploring the natural surroundings
After two days of skiing, we recommend taking your last day to explore the Colomer Lakes Route. This massif of mountains arranged in a circle is home to seven gorgeous lakes, each totally different! Not to be missed!
As always, we provide a map to help you get oriented during your stay and plan your excursions from the Parador de Artíes or the Parador de Vielha, whichever you choose.
So what do you think of our plan for a ski getaway? Book you favorite Aran Valley Parador today.
And on your way back, don't forget to take advantage of your Stop Along the Way voucher to enjoy the Paradores cuisine at one of our other restaurants.
We recommend stopping at the Parador de Sigüenza (if you're traveling back to Madrid), Cardona (if you're heading for Barcelona) and Sos del Rey Católico or Argómaniz (if your journey takes you back to the Cantabrian coast).
