Spain’s largest ski area Baqueira Beret, which celebrates its 60th birthday this year, gets bigger still this year with three new pistes added. With the three new pistes, the resort now has 122 routes with 167 km of marked pistes and 4 itineraries, a total length of 171 km.
They include the new Bosc de Peülla 2, a black graded slope in the Bonaigua area. At 514 m long it drops almost 200 verical metres with an average gradient of 40% from its starting point of 2,239 m.
Another new route is Barqueta 2, joining the Barqueta 1 slope which was new last year. The slope is now extended to go from Baqueira to Argulls via this 430m long red route 430 m which drops 143 vertical metres with an average gradient of 35%.
The third new run, christened 2200, is located at this height in Baqueira and ends by the 2200 Restaurant of the same name. The 220 m long track, drops 57 vertical metres and has an average gradient of 27%.
Elsewhere there’s been some slope remodelling to improve the overall feel of the resort. These include the widening of Ta Cabanes, in the Dossau area, and Pla de Beret 2. In Baciver, the work carried out on Orqueta 1 and 2 and the access to the Ta Baciver 2 piste is worth noting.
Snow production has also been expanded with 31 new snow machines added this season to take the resort total to 850. Three low-pressure snowmakers with a platform in the 1500 zone to ensure a safe return home. Another four new snowmakers in the busy 1800 zone. 16 new snowmakers in Bonaigua, 14 on the piste of the same name and two in Debutants. Five new snowmaking facilities at Audi Ski Kronos and the aforementioned three new snowmaking facilities at Stadium (both in Beret). Over the years, Baqueira has been perfecting its system, managing to reduce energy consumption by up to 70% compared to the old methods.
FWT
The 4th edition of the Freeride World Tour will be held at the resort’s Baciver from 18 to 23 January with the best international ski and snowboard riders and for the first time the FIS Men’s SL European Cup will be held at the Stadium de Beret on 6 and 7 February.
With a view to the European Cup on 6 and 7 February, improvements have been made to the Fernández Ochoa Stadium in Beret, a FIS-approved slope for competition, with an enlargement of the slalom (SL) start area and the finish area to make braking safer, a new finish screen to clearly display the results and three new snowmakers in the SL start area.
There’s also a new APP, which can be downloaded on iOS and Android, has seen significant improvements in access to the BaqueiraPASS and BaqueiraTICKET recharge, as well as complete information on the state of the slopes and the weather.
For the 60th Anniversary of Baqueira Beret there’s a very special celebration during the season and manufacture of commemorative and personalised Husta skis in a limited edition of 60 pairs only available at Baqueira Store.
“This is a limited edition that will delight collectors. It is the ROC model of the Aranese brand for on-piste use, aimed at medium and high level skiers. They are made in the Salardú workshop in local ash wood and bamboo reinforcements, following a process adapted to generate the smallest possible carbon footprint through resin and soles made from recycled materials and hybrid carbon and linen fibre. They can be personalised with an antique silver registration plate on which the serial number and the customer’s name are laser engraved,” a spokesperson said.
