Snow activities in Catalonia to enjoy the Pyrenees
Slide down a snow slide, learn to build an igloo or admire the mountains from a gondola lift. Snow activities in Catalonia go far beyond skiing, with options for a getaway with children, a romantic weekend or a few days of adventure in the Girona Pyrenees.
From Vallter and Vall de Núria, in Ripollès, to La Molina, in La Cerdanya, we have brought together ways to enjoy the snow, including fantastic experiences recommended by the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board. And to keep the experience going after you leave the slopes, we introduce the best hotels, where good food and relaxation are also part of your getaway.
What to do in the snow in Catalonia
- Snow slides in Vall de Núria – For sharing laughter with the children.
- Learn to ski or go snowboarding – An activity for all ages.
- Dinner among the peaks in Vallter – A different kind of evening under the stars.
- Snowshoeing in La Molina and La Cerdanya – For discovering snowy forests.
- Simulated avalanche rescue in La Molina – A hands-on learning experience.
- Gondola ride and a meal at Niu de l’Àliga – Views and local cuisine.
- A sunset snow groomer ride in Vallter – For watching the sun go down.
- Igloo building in the Pyrenees – A workshop to put your ingenuity to the test.
1. Snow tubing in Vall de Núria
Snow tubing is one of the best ways to enjoy the snow with children in Catalonia. The activity involves sliding down snowy runs on a giant inflatable ring, sharing rides and laughter without needing to ski.
You can try this activity in Vall de Núria, in Ripollès, at the resort’s snow play park, alongside the sledging runs. The park welcomes children aged 3 and over and allows you to combine several activities in one day.
Vall de Núria is one of the best places to take children to see the snow and play in it. The journey on the rack railway adds excitement to the visit and, once in the valley, playing in the snow and building their first snowmen may become the most memorable part of the day.
2. Learn to ski or go snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding are two winter classics, but there is always a first time to discover them. In Catalonia, ski resorts such as Vallter 2000, in the Camprodon Valley, offer activities for learning to ski or try snowboarding, helping you get started and turn those first turns on the snow into the beginning of a new hobby.
You can also enjoy a day of skiing without driving. La Molina has a train connection from Barcelona on the R3 Rodalies line, with the option to combine transport and a ski pass in a single ticket.
3. Dinner among the peaks with spectacular views in Vallter
The snow can also be enjoyed over a good meal. At Vallter 2000, in Ripollès, you can experience something different, starting with a snow groomer ride up to an altitude of 2,535 metres. Braseria Les Marmotes awaits you there, where the high mountain scenery provides the backdrop to a dinner prepared with local ingredients.
The Dinner among the Peaks with Spectacular Views experience is one of the most original ways to enjoy the snow as a couple, with family or with friends. A mountain dinner beneath the night sky of the Pyrenees turns the day into an evening to remember. The experience includes the return snow groomer ride and dinner, from €75 per person.
4. Snowshoeing in La Molina and La Cerdanya
Snowshoeing lets you enjoy mountain scenery without knowing how to ski or taking on a particularly demanding activity, provided you choose an easy route. In La Molina and La Cerdanya, it is a lovely way to explore snowy forests, admire the peaks and pause to discover details of the surroundings that go unnoticed from the slopes.
To try this snow activity, we recommend the snowshoeing excursions with Altitud Extrem. Their guides will show you how to use the equipment and move through the snow, accompanying you on a route suited to the group’s ability and the mountain conditions.
5. Simulated avalanche rescue in La Molina
For those looking for a different snow activity in Catalonia that combines adventure and learning, La Molina’s ARVA Park invites you to step into the role of a rescue team. This space recreates an avalanche scenario and allows you to practise locating simulated victims beneath the snow using an ARVA, an avalanche transceiver.
The ARVA Park avalanche rescue practice activity combines the search with an instructor’s explanations of how to respond to an avalanche. It is a particularly interesting experience for mountain enthusiasts, fans of survival workshops or anyone wanting to try something different in the snow.
Available from €68, for groups of up to 5 people, it is an activity to share with friends, family or colleagues, putting your teamwork to the test.
6. Gondola ride and a meal with panoramic views at Niu de l’Àliga
Admiring snow-covered mountains and savouring local cuisine is another way to enjoy the snow in Catalonia. At La Molina, in La Cerdanya, the Cadí-Moixeró gondola lift takes you comfortably up to Niu de l’Àliga, at an altitude of 2,537 metres. The ascent lets you enjoy the scenery from above without a hike or a descent on the ski slopes.
The Gondola Lift and Panoramic Menu at El Niu experience combines the ride with a meal inspired by mountain traditions and flavours. A relaxed way to enjoy the snow, share a meal and admire the Pyrenean peaks without taking part in a sporting activity.
7. A sunset snow groomer ride in Vallter
What can you do in the snow if you are looking for something out of the ordinary? Ride a snow groomer to watch the sunset in Vallter, an experience that combines adventure and scenery without a big adrenaline rush. The ascent to 2,535 metres lets you enjoy the mountains without skiing or hiking. From the Costa Brava viewpoint, you can watch the evening light transform the snowy peaks.
The Sunset in Vallter experience invites you to share a romantic moment as the last rays of sunshine bathe the snow in warm colours. Afterwards, hot chocolate with sponge biscuits at Braseria Les Marmotes rounds off the afternoon, a comforting pause after watching the mountain sunset.
8. Igloo building in the Catalan Pyrenees
Another snow activity to try with children in Catalonia is learning to build an igloo. Preparing the blocks and arranging them to create this snow house turns the workshop into a challenge of ingenuity and teamwork. It also reveals a surprising fact: the inside of an igloo can be up to 20 °C warmer than outside, depending on its construction, the ambient temperature and the heat sources inside.
In the area around La Molina, workshops take place in locations such as Pla d’Anyella or Coll de Pal. The day lasts around six hours and begins with a short walk to the chosen spot. Instructors provide the equipment and guide the group throughout the process.
Hotels in the Pyrenees for enjoying the snow
To enjoy snow activities in Vall de Núria, you can stay at Els Caçadors de Ribes, in Ribes de Freser, and travel up to the valley on the rack railway. You can also use the hotel as a base for visiting La Molina and trying its snow and mountain activities.
If you choose Vallter, you will find La Coma, in Setcases, Grèvol Spa, in Llanars, and Calitxó, in Molló. Three options for combining the snow with good food and relaxation, and making the most of your getaway to discover the Camprodon Valley.
Hotel Els Caçadors de Ribes, located in Ribes de Freser, is one of the best hotels in the Girona Pyrenees. Situated next to the Vall de Núria rack railway and close to ski resorts such as La Molina and Vall de Núria, it is the perfect base for enjoying the mountains all year round.
Its modern rooms and apartments combine tradition and comfort, with accommodation options for every type of getaway. Highlights include cosy rooms with a private jacuzzi, ideal for a romantic getaway, as well as family rooms and independent apartments for longer stays.
Gastronomy is one of the hotel's greatest attractions. The Els Caçadors Restaurant, open since 1920, serves outstanding traditional Catalan cuisine prepared with seasonal local produce. As a member of the Fundació Institut Català de la Cuina and Slow Food Catalunya, it has become a gastronomic references in the Ripollès.
After a day of hiking, cycling, skiing or exploring the Vall de Núria, relax in the heated outdoor jacuzzi overlooking the Torreneules mountains, unwind in the exclusive Moon Room with fireplace or enjoy the terrace with solarium. The hotel also features a games room, ideal for both families and groups of friends.
Combining gastronomy, wellness and nature, Hotel Els Caçadors de Ribes is an excellent choice for discovering the Girona Pyrenees. A mountain hotel where you can enjoy gastronomic, romantic or adventure getaways.
Hotel La Coma is one of the best hotels in the Girona Pyrenees, located in the charming village of Setcases, in the heart of the Camprodon Valley. Surrounded by mountains, forests and rivers at an altitude of 1,279 metres, it offers a privileged setting to discover the natural beauty of the Catalan Pyrenees throughout the year.
Its location makes it an excellent starting point for hiking routes, mountain excursions and outdoor activities. The hotel is also close to some of the valley's most beautiful natural pools and waterfalls.
The proximity to the Vallter ski resort, one of the closest ski resorts to Barcelona, makes Hotel La Coma an ideal choice for winter sports enthusiasts as well as for travellers wishing to enjoy the Pyrenees at any time of the year.
The hotel offers 22 rooms spread over three floors, as well as apartments and independent rural apartments in the centre of Setcases. Its facilities make it a hotel ideal for children and families, thanks to its spacious leisure areas, playground, games room, table tennis, pétanque and gardens.
Among its main attractions are the outdoor swimming pool, perfect during the summer months, and the spa with heated pool and sauna, also accessible to children. The hotel also features a gym and cosy lounges with fireplaces.
Its restaurant offers excellent Catalan mountain cuisine, prepared with local products from the Camprodon Valley, turning every stay into an authentic gastronomic experience connected to the region.
Hotel Grèvol Spa, located in Llanars, in the heart of the Camprodon Valley, is a welcoming mountain hotel in the Girona Pyrenees that combines stone and wood to blend harmoniously with its natural surroundings. Surrounded by forests and mountains, it offers a warm and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for enjoying the Pyrenees.
Its spacious rooms, decorated in an elegant mountain style and overlooking the surrounding landscape, make the hotel an ideal destination for both a romantic getaway and a family holiday. During winter, the valley's frequent snowfall can be admired from the rooms or from the spa area.
Grèvol Spa features a complete wellness area with a hydromassage pool, waterfalls, jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, gym and relaxation areas. The experience is complemented by personalised massages and treatments, offering guests the perfect opportunity to unwind in the heart of nature.
One of the hotel's most inviting spaces is its lounge with a central fireplace, ideal for relaxing after a day in the mountains or enjoying cosy winter afternoons. The café-bar and communal areas invite guests to embrace the peaceful rhythm of the Pyrenees.
Recognised as a Gastronomic Hotel, its restaurant serves refined Catalan cuisine prepared with local and seasonal products from the Camprodon Valley. Breakfasts also stand out for the quality of their ingredients.
The hotel also features a games room with billiards and table tennis, making it an excellent hotel for families with children. It also offers spaces for celebrations, business meetings and small events.
The location of Hotel Grèvol Spa allows guests to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, golf, horse riding and skiing. Its status as a bike-friendly hotel and its proximity to the Vallter ski resort make it an excellent base for discovering the Girona Pyrenees at any time of the year.
Hotel Calitxó, located in Molló, in the Camprodon Valley, is a welcoming mountain hotel in the Girona Pyrenees surrounded by nature. Its privileged location, close to the Headwaters of the Ter and Freser Natural Park and the Vallter 2000 ski resort, makes it an ideal destination for enjoying the mountains at any time of year.
Its comfortable rooms and spacious suites, all with views of the natural surroundings, provide the perfect setting for a relaxing getaway, whether as a couple or with the family. The hotel also offers independent apartments where pets are welcome, making it an excellent choice for travelling with your dog and discovering the Pyrenees.
The Hotel Calitxó Restaurant serves carefully prepared mountain cuisine, featuring locally sourced products such as Camprodon Valley foal, organic potatoes from Molló, and beef and lamb from the Ripollès region. In summer, the outdoor swimming pool and shaded sun loungers provide the perfect place to relax, while in winter the cosy lounge with fireplace is ideal after a day in the snow.
The hotel also features a wellness area with massage services and is a favourite among outdoor sports enthusiasts. As a bike-friendly hotel, it offers a secure bicycle storage area as well as exclusive parking for guests at the Vallter 2000 ski resort at a reduced rate with prior reservation.
From Hotel Calitxó, guests can enjoy some of the finest hiking routes in the Pyrenees, explore the Camprodon Valley, visit charming villages such as Molló, Camprodon and Setcases, or enjoy cycling, horse riding and winter sports. In addition, Vallter 2000, one of the ski resorts closest to Barcelona, is especially popular with families thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and excellent facilities.
Committed to sustainability and protecting its natural surroundings, Hotel Calitxó promotes responsible management, the use of local produce and the preservation of the Camprodon Valley landscape. Thanks to its location, gastronomy and excellent facilities, it is one of the best hotels in the Girona Pyrenees for enjoying nature, mountain activities and relaxation throughout the year.
Extend your getaway and enjoy the mountains after leaving the slopes. Discover all the hotels in the Pyrenees from Grans Hotels de Catalunya and choose where to spend your next snow-filled break.
