Spain has ski resorts that are not as famous as the larger resorts and operate differently. It’s smaller, with less flow of people and more connected to the area, so skiing here isn’t like doing so in a crowded resort. Everything is designed to make the experience calmer and more structured, adapted to the size of the field and the local audience.
These resorts don’t just focus on alpine skiing. Many of them combine their slopes with options such as nordic skiing or snowshoeing routes, especially when there is not enough snow to open the entire area. This makes it a good alternative for both beginners and those looking for a more relaxed day, without a lot of pressure to get down fast or cover kilometres.
In addition, it acts as a more local model of winter tourism: the infrastructure and services adapt to the environment and those who visit the resort. The way the courts and activities are distributed allows you to make the most of each open area, keeping the space functional and safe all season long.
Manzaneda (Ourense)
The mountain station in the eastern province of Ourense serves as the westernmost ski area in Spain and is the only facility of this type in Galicia. Its location is close to the border with Portugal, in an environment where some of the highest peaks in the autonomous region are concentrated. The area is developed around a base located about 1,500 meters above sea level, and an upper point about 1,800 meters high.
The space provides approximately 15 kilometers of working surface, spread over 23 different routes. The piste structure covers different levels and allows access via lifts that adapt to the size of the field. The facility complements winter activities with services related to sports practice and the basic needs of the visitor.
Winter Fountains (Asturias)
The station located in the Council of Alier is part of the winter network in the interior of the Principality of Asturias. It has an area of 8.7 skiable kilometers, distributed evenly between three green, three blue, six red, and three black runs. Transportation around the area is ensured by five lifts: a detachable four-seat chairlift, two fixed-clip four-seat lifts, a ski lift and a conveyor belt. This combined structure allows a flow of up to 8,200 people per hour.
The venue’s daily capacity is set at a maximum of 2,800 skaters, a number that is adjusted according to the size of its tracks and the available infrastructure. The lower level focuses on public services associated with the activity: rental of technical equipment, specialized school and restaurant space. The station organizes its work on the basis of these elements that regulate the use of the field during the snow season.
Tavascan (Lida)
The snow area located in the region of Pallars Sobirà, in the province of Lleida, carries out its activity in a Pyrenean environment where the limited Alpine width is combined with different complementary modalities. The area is approximately five kilometers dedicated to alpine skiing, with snowshoe-enabled loops, mountain trail areas and cross-country skiing areas. Splitboard.
Added to these options is a specific cross-country skiing route, which operates independently of the Alpine sector. The enclosure structure is centered around the main entrance, where essential services are concentrated and the starting points of the different itineraries.
The organization of activities in each season depends on the availability of snow and the condition of the facilities, which determines the simultaneous use of the different areas of the complex. This diversity forms a group that depends on the adaptation of space to the meteorological condition in each winter period.