With the perfect snow conditions we've got in the Pyrenees at the moment we've headed to the ski resort of Astun a couple of times in January - once on my own and once with the kids. Astun is in the Valle de Aragon, north of Jaca, right on the French/Spanish border. I've never skied there before and have always wanted to. It's got a reputation for being steeper and harder than Formigal and was...
Skiing Articles
Ski touring at Panticosa
Last weekend, I got the skis out for the first time this season. We've had some really heavy snow here in the Pyrenees over the last ten days, but Sunday was one of the first clear days to get out and enjoy it. The first winter outing of the season - whether on skis...
First skiing and snowshoeing trips of the winter
Winter has arrived early in the Pyrenees and it’s been snowing for most of November in the mountains, right down to village level. Formigal and Astun ski stations both opened last Saturday (16th Nov) – I’ve never known them to open that early before. From today...
A day skiing with the family
It's great living near a ski resort and skiing is part of the lifestlye here. On Wednesday afternoons the kids have ski lessons with the school and last Sunday we ventured out to Panticosa for our first day's skiing with the whole family - and to make things more...
Snow conditions in Formigal and the Pyrenees
With the holidays over, the tourists gone and the pistes empty once again I headed up to Formigal yesterday for my first days skiing of the season. We've had a lot of snow over the Christmas period - a couple of really big dumps but mixed in with a few days of rain...
Mountain – a new documentary film
Mountain is a new documentary film from Jennifer Peedom - the maker of the recent Sherpa documentary. The film explores the beauty of the mountains rather than a particular expedition or peak and from the look of the trailer has some stunning footage. The film covers...
Ski touring afternoon to Col des Moines
Last week we had a beautiful afternoon of ski touring with my American friend Nick. After a period of bad weather and snow, some sun shining days always come in our mountains!! Starting from Astún ski resort in Aragon Valley, we chose to follow one classical summer...
Ski Touring: winter ascent of Bisaurin Peak (2670m)
I recently did an ascent of Bisaurin on ski's - a superb peak with brilliant views. It might sound a bit strange, but most of the local skiers will tell you that the ski touring season actually starts in March in the Pyrenees. In March, the avalanche risk gets lower,...
Ski gallery
Guide to skiing at Formigal
Formigal in the Valle de Tena is a great ski resort that doesn't get enough British skiers. I ski there most weeks and there's some superb on and off-piste skiing to be found there. There's not much information in English on the resort so I've written this insiders...