Worldwide Ski Resorts • Spain • Formigal
Overview
Purpose built Formigal is set high in the Pyrenees. From the outside it is a soulless collection of mostly modern buildings but by night it is a lively fun small resort. It serves a small collection of mainly well spread north facing slopes. It has relatively few lifts - 13 drag lifts, 1 gondola and a six seater chair.
Profile
Purpose built Formigal is set high in the Pyrenees. From the outside it is a soulless collection of mostly modern buildings but by night it is a lively fun, small resort. It serves a small collection of mainly well spread north facing slopes. The relatively few lifts - 13 drag lifts, 1 gondola and six — cover a wide area spread over the Pico Tres Ombres leading over the Collado de Izas. Slopes are wide open and usually sunny. Queues are usually minimal, and there are a number of pleasing descent from the top station level, all the way to the village, which are up to 7 kms long.
Mountain Information
The ski area is accessed from three base stations. From the village there are two linked drag lifts. Otherwise there is a big parking area above and west of the village. This is served by a fast quad chair right to the top station of Pico Tres Hombres at 2350m (7920ft). There is a gondola which goes from valley level further west of the village, and then further round still is Sarrios which offers ascents via two chairs and three drag lifts. The main hub on the ski area is at El Cantal where there is a big self serve restaurant with sun terraces to enjoy the magnificent views. Around this area the runs are pretty gentle and much of the ski school activity is centred here. There are four mountain restaurants and cafes over the whole ski area. Most of the terrain is pretty easy, particularly from the lower slopes, and overall Formigal is well suited to the novice and intermediate skier. The main runs down to the village on the eastern side are well served with snowmaking, as are a few of the middle runs around El Cantal. Only during peak holiday period does it get busy.
Apres Ski
Drinks have tended to be pretty cheap, particularly wine. There are additional shops at Sallent, but mainly Formigal just has a couple of ski and sports shops, clothes shops, and a recommended cake and pastries shops. There are a few good, lively bars and a bar/nightclub in the Hotel Nievesol. Other decent pubs include the Pub Collins and the Tres Hombres. Mostly accommodation is in hotels: the Hotel Formigal receives good reviews and has over 120 rooms including over 90 doubles. They also have family and group sized apartments. Also on offer are two bars, sauna, hydro massage, sun bed and gym. The Hotel Nievesol itself also has over 120 double rooms and a few singles. All are en-suite with TV. There are a couple of bars, a kids playroom and the bar/nightclub. At the smaller, more friendly end of the market — and with character to boot — is the Hotel Eguzki-Lore. Built as a faux Austrian chalet the rooms are comfortable and well appointed, and the hotel itself is nicely furnished.
Spanish Resort Guide
Resort Information • Formigal
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Resort Height | 1500m |
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Top Station | 2200m |
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Bottom Station | 1500m |
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Vertical Descent | 700m |
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Drag Lifts | 16 |
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Chair Lifts | 7 |
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High Capacity | 1 |
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Opening Dates | Dec - April |
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Rating Expert | 5 |
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Rating Intermediate | 8 |
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Rating Beginner | 6 |
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Apres Ski Rating | 6 |
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Snow Reliability | 8 |
