Baqueira Beret, the setting for sports competitions

Baqueira Beret is not only one of the best ski resorts in Spain, but also a benchmark venue for high-level sporting competitions. Thanks to its modern infrastructure, its privileged location in the Val d’Aran, and its outstanding snow conditions, this resort has been chosen to host major international events such as the Freeride World Tour and alpine skiing and snowboard championships. The combination of technical slopes, challenging off-piste terrain, and flawless organisation has made Baqueira Beret a key destination in the world of winter sports. But what makes this resort so special for competitions? In this article, we explore the features that make it an ideal place for sporting events and how its prestige continues to grow year after year.

Baqueira Beret, host of the Freeride World Tour

The Freeride World Tour (FWT) is the most prestigious international freeride competition, where the world’s best skiers and snowboarders demonstrate their skills on off-piste terrain. Since 2022, the Baqueira Beret ski resort, located in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees, has hosted this exciting event, establishing itself as a benchmark destination on the global freeride circuit.

Baqueira Beret’s inclusion in the FWT calendar was a major milestone for both the resort and freeride in Spain. The 2025 edition, known as Baqueira Beret Pro by Movistar, took place from January 18 to 23, officially opening the FWT season. For this latest edition, the competition moved to a new area within the resort: the La Bamba face. This sector, located in the heart of the Val d’Aran, offers steep slopes and technical terrain that challenge even the most experienced riders. The choice of La Bamba as the venue highlighted Baqueira Beret’s ability to provide optimal and varied conditions for high-level freeride.

The hosting of the Freeride World Tour in Baqueira Beret has had a significant impact on the Val d’Aran region. The influx of international visitors, media, and sports enthusiasts has boosted tourism and positioned Baqueira as a leading destination for freeride lovers. In addition, collaboration with sponsors such as Movistar and the support of regional institutions and the Spanish Winter Sports Federation have been key to the success and international projection of the event.

European Cup of Alpine Skiing

The European Alpine Ski Cup is another of the most prestigious competitions in skiing, serving as a platform for emerging athletes to showcase their talent on the international stage. In February 2025, Baqueira Beret had the honour of hosting two men’s slalom races in this circuit, marking a major milestone in the history of alpine skiing in Spain.

The last time Spain hosted a European Cup event was in 2018 in La Molina. Therefore, the celebration of these competitions in Baqueira Beret represented a major milestone for national winter sports. On February 6 and 7, 2025, the best slalom skiers gathered at the renovated Fernández Ochoa Stadium in Beret, competing in two exciting races that confirmed Baqueira as a key destination on the international competition calendar. To ensure the success of the event, Baqueira Beret carried out extensive preparations at the Fernández Ochoa Stadium. This slope, homologated by the International Ski Federation (FIS), has a length of 954 metres and a vertical drop of 219 metres, with the start at 2,079 metres above sea level and the finish at 1,860 metres, right in front of the Beret cafeteria and near the car park. The work included snow compaction and water injection to create a layer of ice of at least 20 centimetres, ensuring optimal racing conditions.

The Spanish participation in this edition of the European Cup was remarkable. Six skiers from the Spanish Winter Sports Federation (RFEDI) took part in the races, including Quim Salarich, Juan del Campo, and Aingeru Garay, regular competitors on the World Cup circuit. In addition, young talents such as Aleix Aubert Serracanta, Tomás Barata, and Jonás Sánchez had the opportunity to compete at home, especially meaningful for those trained in clubs from the Val d’Aran.

Naut Aran Trophy of the FIS Masters Cup

The Naut Aran Trophy is a major alpine skiing competition that forms part of the FIS Masters Cup, an international circuit designed for skiers over 30 years old. This event is held annually at the Baqueira Beret ski resort, located in the heart of the Val d’Aran, and attracts numerous veteran athletes from around the world who aim to test their skills in a competitive and professional environment.

Since its inclusion in the FIS Masters Cup calendar, the Naut Aran Trophy has gained prestige and recognition within the veteran skiing community. The competition stands out not only for the high technical level of its participants, but also for the excellent organisation and optimal conditions offered by Baqueira Beret for alpine skiing. Athletes compete in several disciplines, including Super Giant (Super G), Slalom (SL), and Giant Slalom (GS).

Each of these events tests the technical ability and skill of the participants across different alpine skiing disciplines. The FIS Masters Cup circuit spans 16 countries and a total of 24 events per season, including destinations such as Argentina, Germany, France, Australia, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, the USA, Slovenia, Finland, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada, Austria, and of course Spain.

Snowboard Cross World Cup

In addition to the previously mentioned competitions, Baqueira Beret has also hosted on several occasions (such as in 2016 and 2023) the prestigious Snowboard Cross World Cup (SBX). This international event brings together the world’s best snowboarders in the boardercross discipline, where athletes race simultaneously down a course filled with jumps, banked turns, and obstacles, offering a spectacular display of adrenaline and excitement.

Baqueira, an ideal venue for winter sports competitions

Baqueira Beret has become an international benchmark for organising winter sports competitions. Its combination of modern infrastructure, high-quality snow, and privileged natural surroundings has made it a host of top-level events at both national and international level. These events have consolidated Baqueira’s position not only as a ski tourism destination, but also as a hub for elite competition.

What makes Baqueira Beret special as a competition venue is not only its organisational capacity, but also the exceptional conditions it offers athletes. The involvement of the Val d’Aran in each of these events creates a unique atmosphere, where athletes, fans, and professionals enjoy an environment filled with authentic passion for skiing and snowboarding. Baqueira is not only a place to enjoy the snow, but also a stage where some of the best chapters in winter sports history are written. With every event, every victory, and every new generation of skiers challenging themselves on its slopes, Baqueira Beret continues to establish itself as the leading reference for competitive skiing in Spain and the Pyrenees.

If you are a fan of these sports disciplines, you can enjoy them as a spectator and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of sport, snow, and adventure in equal measure. At Alma de Nieve we offer the best accommodation in Baqueira for you and your family and/or friends so you can enjoy a fully satisfying holiday experience not only in Baqueira Beret but also throughout the Val d’Aran. Enjoy sport in the best place!