FORMIGAL The Tena Valley, situated in the north of the Huesca province, is home to two ski resorts of the Aramón group. That puts us in Formigal, which is to say, at the end of the backbone that all the Romanesque towns of the Tena Valley form. It borders France, and you will find, an altitude of 1550 metres, the urban area of Formigal, six kilometres from Sallent de Gallego, the town to which the built-up area pertains. Hidden in the central Pyrenees, the Tena Valley splits the mountains with the Gallego River, which gathers in the Lanuza Reservoir, then continues to the south, to the Búbal Reservoir. The Formigal ski resort is located in a huge layer of snow that covers the granite mountains, which are pronounced crests presided over by the Escarra peak, which has a height of 2748 metres. The winter resort, which is also a hiking area in summer, is probably the most modern, sophisticated and well-equipped resort in Spain. The distance between the lifts and the urbanisation of Formigal is about 400 metres, so you can walk there after a day skiing or you can take the Aramón bus which runs from all parts of the resort and Sallent de Gallego. The Formigal resort and its car park are to the left of the A-136 road which crosses the valley, heading in the direction of France, and to the right of this road is Sallent de Gallego and Formigal, six kilometres away. It is necessary to mention the Peña Foratata for its incredible rocky mass, which is located majestically over the built-up area of Formigal. Climbing it can be long and difficult, but very much worth it to reach the top and be able to look at the valley. It\'s something that very few people have the opportunity to enjoy, given the physical requirements and mountain knowledge needed. The built-up area of Formigal is of recent construction, although it is built on a small, Roman- Gothic village that was formed alongside the towns of the Aranese summits. The remains of this Gothic-Roman village are even older, however, being from the 10th Century, an example of which is the Mozarab church that was restored at the end of the last century. Even so, the majority of the buildings retain the Pyrenean style of slate roofs, thick stone walls, and small windows. In Sallent, there are some more important historic remains, such as the Puente Romano (Roman Bridge) from the 16th Century, and the Iglesia Gótica de la Asunción (Gothic Church of the Assumption), from the beginning of the 16th Century. This church forms a part of the group of Iglesias de Serrales (Serrales Churches), unique to Spain, and of which one must mention their valuable altarpiece which worships the virgin of snow. Among the popular festivals in the region, one must make special mention of the Festival Pireneo Sur (South Pyrenees Festival), which only recently began, but which is usually very popular with young people. The music they usually listen to is innovative with ethnic and Celtic touches. The music groups perform concerts on a stage that floats on the Lanuza Reservoir, while the spectators can enjoy the festival while seated on the banks of the reservoir, on a gentle hill. The South Pyrenees Festival is held in the town of Sallent de Gallego in the month of July, which provides a huge number of young people with a meeting point. Lovers of nature, the mountains and music will find themselves in an idyllic enclave in the centre of the Pyrenees.
Among the multitude of activities that the Tena Valley has to offer, you must not let the months from September to November slip by: mushroom picking in the Valley is traditional of the mycological customs and faith in the region. They contribute to endless recipes, such as the mushroom pie (a traditional regional dish), mountain asparagus, or stewed veal shanks. You can enjoy all of these in the restaurants of Formigal and Sallent, in autumn. How to get to Formigal Getting to the Formigal ski resort can be quite easy if you hire a car or use your own vehicle. Like any other Spanish ski resort, using public transport to get to Sallent de Gallego can be sheer torture, when you consider the length of the journey and the low frequency of the transport. If you are travelling from the south of Spain or the central region, it is best to drive on the A-2 to Zaragoza, then Huesca, and once there, head in the direction of Sabiñánigo on the A-136 road that connects to El Portalet in France. However, if you are travelling from the western region, get to Lleida then continue to Huesca, following the chain of mountain towns that dot the A-136 national road. Sabiñánigo gives you access to them all. Take the exit there and continue north until you pas Biescas. Then continue to Sallent de Gallego, and finally, six kilometres away, is the Formigal urbanisation where the winter resort is located. If your point of origin is the Cantabrian Sea area, or the east, the easiest option is to take the N-240 national highway until you get to Jaca, and from there continue on the N-330 to Sabiñánigo, which goes to Biesca, Sallent de Gallego, and finally Formigal, travelling on the N-260 and then A-136 (which leads to France). Madrid is 493 kilometres away, Barcelona, 370, Pamplona, 165, and the nearest airport to the Formigal ski resort is Pau, 66 kilometres away, in France. The next closest airport is Huesca- Pireneo (102km away). Then there is Pamplona Airport, which is 160 kilometres away from Formigal, or Zaragoza Airport, 165 kilometres away. You can get to Sabiñánigo by train, but it is still then 35 kilometres away from the Formigal ski resort. You can also travel there by public bus, taking the route that goes to northern Aragón. Furthermore, Aramon the public-private company that manages the Formigal ski resort puts at the disposition of clients of the resort the Bus Blanco (the White Bus ) that can take you from some of the cities in the north of Spain to the resort in one day. Formigal has a free bus that will take you from areas of the Anayet pistes, Portalet, Sexta, Plaza Reloy and Chalets. The bus is free for skiers, and it continues making trips throughout the day at the service of those who are practising the sport. Car parks at Formigal At Formigal, parking is not a problem, given that the resort has two of its own car parks: that of Sextas (with 110 spaces) and Anayet (58 spaces). For both, it is possible to reserve a space through the resort\'s website, and you will be able to obtain special prices for car parking with lockers where you can keep your skis.
Furthermore, the majority of hotels have a garage, for which it can also be possible to reserve a space in the same establishment in which you are staying. Nurseries at Formigal If you are going to Formigal with children, don\'t worry! The resort has thought of everything and has three nurseries available where you can leave your children to be well cared for while you enjoy the snow. The Parque de la Urbanizacion accepts children from the age of four months, while the Anayet snow nursery accepts children from 2 years old. Prices vary depending on the age of the children and if they are there for the full day or a half-day. Babies from 4-6 months can be at the nursery for a maximum of a half-day, and it costs from 38.50 per day, to 169 for six days. For children from 6 months to 2 and a half years old it costs from 35 48.50 (half-day or full day respectively), to 166 218.50. There is also an available play centre for 12 a day, for children older than 3 years old. It is located in the Info&Events building. What to do after skiing / Après ski at Formigal At Formigal, you have a wide range of restaurants and bars available where you can relax after a long day of skiing while you enjoy the local gastronomy. And if you want to be fashionable, you cannot miss visiting Marchica, the most modern establishment at the resort, situated at the foot of the pistes, and where you can dance a few steps to the rhythm of the music of any of the resident DJs. At Marchica you will also be able to try Austrian cuisine specialities from midday to midnight. But if what you want is to continue feeling all out adrenaline, you should head to the Sallent chairlift at night, and for only 42 per person, you will be able to descend illuminated pistes on a wooden sled. Two and a half kilometres of fun awaits! Equipment hire at Formigal You can hire all the equipment that you require, if you do not wish to bring it here. Whatever you are looking for, you will find it in the shops. From actual ski equipment such as ski poles, skis or snowboards, to waterproof clothing, jars of wax... Classes and rental stores at Formigal Formigal has its own ski school, which has 40 years of experience and more than 200 professionals. It is endorsed by the Escuela Española de Esquí committee (Spanish School of Ski committee) and the Federación Española de Deportes de Invierno (Spanish Winter Sports Federation). The staff offer you the best, customised classes, whatever your age (from the age of 4 years old and upwards).
Lessons can be individual or in groups, and can be done on both weekdays and weekends. In addition to Christmas, Carnaval, and Semana Santa (Easter Week), the ski school schedules different advanced freestyle camps. Where to stay at Formigal The Formigal hotels are, simply-put, impressive. They are huge buildings covered in the best snow. Many establishments offer heated swimming pools and luxury services so that the client can relax and enjoy the tranquillity after a long day in the snow. Technical information at Formigal Maximum 2250 height Minimum 1500 height Vertical 750 Height Difference 97 Ski runs Green runs 7 Blue runs 19 Red runs 33 Black runs38 Lifts 21
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