Family, are we going to the snow?
** VALLNORD, WINNING BET**
In recent seasons, the Andorran resort has become the peninsular benchmark in terms of family skiing. In reality, the extensive domain it has is made up of three well-differentiated areas: Arinsal sector, Arcalis sector and Pal sector. About 1,420 hectares to lay out almost 100 kilometers of marked trails . Tracks of all kinds, but with special attention and care to those very long, but stretched, itineraries. With average slopes and maximum widths to the delight of the whole family that descends.
Nevertheless, the little ones who are still in the learning period have a whole battalion of teachers who will teach them during the day , while their parents can escape to the wooded areas to enjoy "off-piste" skiing in which powder snow is usually the main protagonist.
An ideal station for children
The enormous hotel capacity together with a network of apartments with different capacities does the rest. In any case, ** Vallnord also offers routes with snowshoes, dog sledding, skibikes and even heliskiing.** This last option requires a high technical level together with a large wallet because the hour of the flight is, of course, not , cheap.
At the end of the day, the whole family can relax in the great Caldea spa, already in Andorra La Vella, among Jacuzzis, saunas and even an outdoor pool with hot water that allows you to bathe even when it's snowing. Quite an experience.
There will be other families who decide to go shopping. And no place is better for this activity than the Country of the Pyrenees with that area of Les Escaldes full of shops of all kinds. Not even in two consecutive afternoons will we be able to get to know them thoroughly.
In the snow, better with family
** MASELLA, SKI BY DAY AND SKI BY NIGHT**
This station in the Catalan Pyrenees (located north of Girona) has managed to differentiate itself from the rest by open its facilities also at night . There are no peninsular winter resorts that can offer fans 10 kilometers of perfectly snow-covered and illuminated slopes.
In total there are 13 slopes that open as soon as the sun goes down. It is at this time that the little ones, together with their parents, will discover night skiing. A ski that forces us to go warmer than during the day, but that keeps the snow in perfect condition. But above all, an experience that will leave us exhausted and surprised by already darkened mountains and paths with the lighting of a football field.
Ski, also at night
Masella has a ski area suitable for any level. One of the most interesting routes due to its views is the track "2 stations" that allows the whole family to travel to the base of La Tosa peak to see the panoramic view of La Cerdanya and even the sister station of La Molina.
Actually, one of the great attractions of Masella lies in the fact that regardless of the level of track we choose, be it blue, green, red or black, all descents end at the base of the station, located at 1,600 meters above sea level. There, big and small always regroup.
A snowy paradise for EVERYONE
** PANTICOSA, TRANQUILITY AND THERMAL WATERS**
The Aragonese station has been overshadowed in recent seasons by its older sister, Formigal , with whom she shares a name. However, despite some investments that came late, she continues to maintain that spirit of family skiing that has given her such good results.
Everything is within reach in Panticosa. Hotels, apartments, restaurants, supermarkets, are concentrated in a very small area, led by a very fast cable car that puts us on the slopes almost instantly . Each cabin has capacity for 8 people.
There is a must-see place for the whole family: the Panticosa spa. An enclave located a few kilometers from the station that Emperor Tiberius was already visiting. More than 8,500 square meters of thermal facilities that flow from a natural spring at a temperature of 53 degrees. Some waters that are cooled on their way to the spa for the use and enjoyment of the whole family.
Yes, there is also time to relax
But in the Panticosa spa we cannot miss the outdoor pool where the water temperature reaches 34 degrees. This allows us to contemplate the entire circus of summits that surrounds us or even better to contemplate one of the clearest skies in Spain, without light pollution. There we will be aware of the astronomical reality of our Milky Way.
Panticosa is located 30 kilometers from Sabiniano and 45 from the monumental Jaca, the capital of the Aragonese Pyrenees. In Jaca, its impressive ice rink awaits us if we still have the strength to skate. The little ones sure do.
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*The journalist Alfonso Ojea is the Director of the program of Chain BE specializing in snow, white tracks , which has been on the air for 20 years.
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