The week of the Purísima, the first of the winter season, is presented in the Val d’Aran full of activities and proposals for a total disconnection.
Snow sports, artisan markets, cultural visits and Christmas atmosphere in crib villages, join the usual cultural, gastronomic and commercial proposal of the valley to offer our visitors an attractive program.
38 OPEN TRACKS
The three ski areas of the Val d’Aran, Baqueira, Beret and Bonaigua stations will be partially open. This first weekend you can have 38 tracks that add 55 km of tracks and 26 lifts in operation. The thicknesses are now between 5 and 25 cm of milled snow on slopes.
Most of the restaurant and cafe services will also be active in all three areas, as well as shops and rental points and ski storage at the foot of the slopes. It is also planned to put into operation the novelty of this year, Borda Lobato, with its new offer of catering to dishes and high mountain cuisine.
EXPERIENCES IN THE SNOW
Snow is also the protagonist of many other activities in the valley. An excursion with snowshoes, a dog sled ride, or driving a motorcycle on the slippery white terrain are unforgettable experiences that are worth living.
All of them can be hired from specialized companies. You will find all the information in the snow microsite of Torisme dera Val d’Aran, where you will also be able to inform about the weather forecast and avalanches.
THE MARKETS OF THE BRIDGE OF THE PURÍSIMA
Different markets and fairs will invade the plazas of the Aranese towns with crafts, handicrafts, Christmas decorative objects and local gastronomic specialties. From Saturday and throughout the week you have a craft market in the square of the church of Vielha.
In addition, from 4 to 6 takes place the Fira del Formatge Sabor a Vielha, where you can taste a great variety of cheeses of cow, sheep, goat and buffalo, many of which are unknown to the general public but renowned among the gastronomes. On the other hand, the village of Les celebrates Wednesday its traditional Fair of the Purísima, where they also offer products typical of the area such as cheeses, jams, honey, pates and an interesting sample of the Aranese handicraft.
New this year is the Aran Christmas Market, from 8 to 10 December at the sports center of Salardú, where you will find a sample of artisan products from the Val d’Aran: clothing, shoes and accessories.
KNOWING THE VALLEY THROUGH ITS HERITAGE
And when the cold prevails, a good option is to know the valley through its historical heritage. From the cultural council and through Musèus dera Val d’Aran there are guided tours of the Romanesque churches and temporary exhibitions. In addition, on the days of the bridge the museums remain open to a schedule adapted to tourists.
Consult here the different cultural activities of the Bridge of the pure.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
During these days in the valley sure you will also find moments to walk around the commercial areas of the main towns. The Val d’Aran offers an attractive and special offer of shops where you can choose some of your Christmas gifts and browse among an assortment of unique details to take you as a souvenir of your stay.
The Christmas atmosphere is already breathed in the streets and squares of the villages, charmingly decorated. Some, like Arties, organize a popular party to celebrate the start of the season and the lighting of Christmas lighting.
GASTRONOMY
And, one last recommendation: to live an authentic Aranian gastronomic experience. Temptations are many and for all palates. Recipes of traditional cuisine and more sophisticated dishes collect all the flavor of this place of the Pyrenees. You can enjoy delicious specialties based on hunting and fishing, high quality pates, aromatic crêpes, traditional soups, etc. And, above all, content your stomachs with a traditional Aranese Eye, the best restorative after a day in the snow.