Winter Tracks

Winter Tracks: Catalonia

Snowsure skiing in the winter, scenic hiking in the summer and fantastic restaurants all year round – welcome to the Val d'Aran. A range of runs to suit all levels and postcard villages nestled at the foot of the mountains make this the ideal destination for outdoor adventures, no matter the time of year. And it's where you'll find this cosy apartment, tucked away in Salardú, only a five-minute drive from the lift in Baqueira.

Wake up in the cosy bedrooms underneath the sloped wooden ceilings and rise with the sun. Pad into the kitchen for a cup of coffee and fuel up on Spanish omelettes around the dining table before hitting the slopes. After your day on the mountain, drop your gear off at the locker by the gondola, then head to one of the eateries and aprés-ski in style.

Later on, make your way back home and stretch out on the plush L-shaped sofa. With the fire roaring in the hearth and a glass of wine in hand, laid-back evenings are a given. Play a board game or two as the night rolls in, or if your muscles are aching after your day spent skiing, take a soak in the mint-tiled bathtub or unwind under the rainfall shower.

Home truths:
*Three guests will sleep in the third bedroom, with two on a bunkbed and one on a single bed – we think this room is best suited to children
*Although there's a lift here, this home is set over two floors and has internal stairs – there's a bedroom and bathroom on the entrance level for those with limited mobility
*The elevator opens directly into this apartment
*The parking space is quite narrow and can be very tight – we suggest renting a smaller vehicle if you plan on driving
*The dining table doubles as a laptop-friendly workspace
*You'll have access to a ski locker by the gondola to store your gear