The best places to practice cross-country skiing in the Pyrenees

ByTravesía Pirenaica
Physical preparation for cross-country skiing / Photo: Phillip Belena
Physical preparation for cross-country skiing / Photo: Phillip Belena

The defenders of the Nordic skiing never tire of defending its advantages. It is a much more economical form of skiing than alpine skiing, both equipment hire and access to the slopes is cheaper. You don't have to use ski lifts or queue. You are free to decide your own route through forests, meadows... and when you want to stop, you do. You can practice it on signposted slopes or outside them (modality backcountry). Most of the Nordic ski schools in the resorts will organise routes for you, if you want.

Did you know that Nordic skiing is also one of the most complete sports - yes, that's right. Nordic skiing works all the muscles in the body, just like swimming. Unlike downhill skiing, Nordic skiing works the body without strain and without impact on the joints, which considerably reduces the risk of injury. The almost non-existence of slopes and the fact that the heel is unattached are also factors that contribute to the fact that injuries are less frequent.

If you've never been Nordic skiing before, it's never too late to start. Learning is relatively easy, you can do it yourself. There are two styles, the classic in which the skis glide over traces or tracks. This style is recommended if you are just starting out, as you will have to concentrate on keeping your balance. The second style is the skaterYou skate forward on skis, you get more speed and this is a mode that requires a bit more practice.

Cross-country skiing in the Aragonese Pyrenees

In the Aragonese Pyrenees there are 9 spaces where you can go Nordic skiing and a total of 138 kilometres of slopes. There are schools in each resort and you can rent equipment. All you have to do is choose the landscape or place to go skiing.

Cross-country skiing is the winter endurance sport par excellence. It is practised on flat or slightly sloping terrain. and the Aragonese Pyrenees offer a good number of slopes where it can be practised, such as the Candanchú circuit, those of Linza, Lizara and Gabardito -in the Parque Natural de los Valles Occidentales, in the area of Hecho and Ansó- or the cross-border station of Somport -very close to Astún and Candanchú, in the mountain pass of the same name-.

Tena Valley

  • Panticosa Spa. In the Tena Valley (3 tracks and 5.5 km) at an altitude of 1,636 m, surrounding the lake of glacial origin.

Aragon Valley

  • Candanchú. In the Aragon valley (3 pistes and 15 km skiable). Candanchú has three background circuits, in the Rinconada area, 2.5 km, 5 km and 7.5 km in length, suitable for both beginners and experts, which run through places of great beauty, such as the Ciudad de Piedra or the valley of Puerto Viejo, bordering the French part of the Parc national des Pyrénées. The price for one day's skiing is 8 euros.
  • Somport(4 pistes and 35 km), with access from both the Spanish and French slopes, linking the Aspe and Aragon valleys. Somport is another good place for cross-country skiing. It can be reached by crossing into France via the port of the same name, just one kilometre from the customs office. The resort offers a varied itinerary through the clearings and undergrowth in the Upper Aspe Valley, at an altitude of 1,600 metres. It is a highly recommended visit, even if you don't go skiing.
  • Astún. The Astún ski resort has a cross-country ski run, located in the Entre Lagos area, with a 4-kilometre-long route.

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park

  • FanloVió valley (8 pistes and 35 km skiable). It is the highest altitude Nordic area in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
  • Pineta: In the Pineta valley, 10 kilometres from Bielsa is this cross-country skiing and Nordic skiing circuit (4 circuits, 25 km skiable).

Western Valleys Natural Park

In the Western Valleys Natural Park you can ski in Linza, Lizara and Gabardito, between pine forests, beech forests and natural meadows. At Linza There are three long-distance circuits available. The longest one takes you up a long ascent to the Petrachena ravine, continues to an altitude of 1,460 m, where you can enjoy a spectacular view, and returns along a waterfall on the other side of the ravine until you reach the starting point, in the area of the refuge - which can accommodate 50 people and has a bar and restaurant service - and the sledging area. The price for a day's skiing in Linza is 10 euros. You can also go snowshoeing for 10 euros/day, or hire a snow-taxi, a peculiar vehicle for ten passengers for a tour of the area.

  • LinzaAnsó valley (4 pistes and 7.5 km skiable).
  • LizaraAragües del Puerto valley (4 pistes and 5 km skiable).
  • Oza-GabarditoHecho valley. Slopes of Gabardito and La Espata, in Selva de Oza.

Benasque

Llanos del Hospitalin Benasque, in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park (3 pistes, 30 km skiable). In Llanos del Hospital, in Benasque, you have 30 km of marked cross-country ski runs, in three circuits at an altitude of between 1,750 and 1,940 m, as well as other routes for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, at the foot of the Aneto and Maladeta.