Baqueira/Beret review

I'd love to say yes but I really fancy North America next year. If we do Europe, then it'll be Bad Gastein or Lauterbrunnen. I know that if I do either of these resorts, it'll be through SkiMiquel again. Unbeatable value for money IMO.

One very important thing that I forgot to mention in the review, is that there are quite a lot of flat spots and far too much poling involved. The majority of the flats are near to the lift stations, which you can understand to get people to break their speed, but they start too early and can never maintain enough momentum to get to the lifts. The upside to this is that there are very few boarders (on piste), which means that the pistes stay in better conditions.

Coop wrote:I'd love to say yes but I really fancy North America next year. If we do Europe, then it'll be Bad Gastein or Lauterbrunnen. I know that if I do either of these resorts, it'll be through SkiMiquel again. Unbeatable value for money IMO.

One very important thing that I forgot to mention in the review, is that there are quite a lot of flat spots and far too much poling involved. The majority of the flats are near to the lift stations, which you can understand to get people to break their speed, but they start too early and can never maintain enough momentum to get to the lifts. The upside to this is that there are very few boarders (on piste), which means that the pistes stay in better conditions.

Right.

TH's January trip 2013 will be to Bad Gastein........

Been AWOL for a year. Kept a good eye on this site though. What a technical improvement in the set up! Well done Admin Team. Only wish I could keep up with it.

Back to Spanish thread.

Anyone reading my posting 21/02/2011 " Biggest pain in skiing....etc" will know few are more enthusiastic than me for the whole area. I certainly agree with posters' rave anout Baqueira. Couple of posters referred to transfer times, Tolouse in particular.

Be aware that British ski companies are no longer using the "new" (2009) HUESCA airport built to serve Formigal, Cerler, Panticosta and other ARAMON (Aregon Government) resorts (30/45 mins transfers).

I believe this results from poor UK interest/take-up.
By example in 2011, one weekly flight had 4 clients on a euro-bus out of LGW.

This means again transfers out of Tolouse up to 4-5 hrs depending on road conditions.

I've been told recently that Crystal MAY have used 4x4's to cut tranfer times?

As always south of the French Pyrenees side, check, check and check again current snow base before booking the Spanish side and resorts further down into Spain.
When it's deep white it's great. Otherwise it's limited, disappointing and can get expensive. You have to do something in a snowless resort.

It really isn't nesessary to book too far ahead. Unless you insist on certain hotels/travel companies and so on.

Too MUCH snow can mean certain Pyrenean Passes may be blocked. Especially around Lourdes going south. Awkward if you're on a travel company transfer; nightmare if you're driving the family.

Hope this helps!?

Dave W

Very useful Dave, thanks.