Haute Route Pyrenees – in Aigüestortes national park

Welcome to one of Europe’s most spectacular yet lesser-known ski touring areas — meaning fewer people and more untouched terrain.

The Aigüestortes National Park is a perfect playground for ski touring, offering dramatic alpine scenery without the crowds often found in the Alps.

Our program includes six days of ski touring through Aigüestortes National Park — the only national park in the Catalan Pyrenees.
Most of the Pyrenees lie above 1,000 meters, with peaks exceeding 3,000 meters.
This Haute Route takes us from hut to hut, much like the classic tours in the Alps, featuring breathtaking lakes, snow-covered summits, delicious Catalan food, and authentic mountain culture.
We ascend between 650–1,200 meters per day — ski touring as it’s meant to be.

Day 1 – Arrival

Fly to Barcelona and transfer to Vielha.
We meet at Barcelona Airport 14:00 and drive to our hotel in Vielha (approx. 4.5 hours).

Dinner together at a local tapas bar in Vielha.

Day 2 – Vielha

This day is dedicated to getting ready for our upcoming adventure in Aigüestortes. After breakfast, we gather in Vielha — a charming mountain town surrounded by peaks, valleys, and glacial landscapes. Here we go through everyone’s equipment, check bindings and settings, test avalanche gear, and review essential safety procedures for the week ahead. We do a ski tour in the area.

Your guide also presents the plan for the week: daily stages, elevation gain, terrain, snow conditions, and an overview of how the hut system works in the Pyrenees. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, build group cohesion, and mentally prepare for what’s ahead.

Day 3 – Arties – Ventosa – Calvell Hut

After breakfast, we transfer by bus to Arties. Snow conditions will determine whether we can drive further up the valley or start from Arties.
We skin up through the Arties valley to the Restanca Hut, then continue to Agulha Crestada Pass (2475 m) near Montarto Peak.

From the pass, we enjoy a descent to Ventosa i Calvell Hut (2215 m).

Day 4 – Calvell Hut – Estany Llong Hut

In summer this route is rocky and demanding, but in winter it becomes a smooth ski tour up to Contraix Pass (2748 m).
The day begins with a short descent to the Colieto Lakes — stunning in the morning light — before continuing up a narrowing valley.

The final section to the pass is steep, requiring crampons and ice axe, and offers a great sense of achievement upon reaching the top.

Day 5 – Estany Llong Hut – Amitges Hut

A long but varied day with two passes and excellent skiing between them.

We cross Dellui Pass (2577 m) and ski down to Colomina Hut, then traverse over three frozen lakes and climb to Saburopass (2667 m) before descending to Amitges Hut.

Day 6 – Amitges Hut – Colomers Hut

We start with an ascent to Ratera Pass (2574 m).
If snow conditions allow, there’s an option to summit Ratera Peak (2863 m) for incredible views over the frozen Colomers Lakes.

We ski down past Lake Obago to Colomers Hut.

Day 7 – Colomers Hut – Restanca Hut – Arties

After breakfast, we climb to Llúcia Peak (2776 m) and enjoy a long descent.
We continue over Port de Caldes Pass (2568 m), down briefly, and then up again 150 m to Agulha Crestada Pass (2475 m).

From here, a long and scenic descent leads us to Restanca Hut (2010 m) and further down to the valley and parking area.

Our bus meets us for transfer back to Vielha.

Day 8 – Departure

Transfer from Vielha to Barcelona Airport.

Please book return flights departing no earlier than 16:00. 

Small Groups

We keep group sizes small — only 4–6 skiers per guide.

Personal Equipment

Below is the equipment list. 

• Touring skis with tech bindings (Dynafit/Plum or similar)

• Climbing skins

• Telescopic poles with large baskets

• Ski crampons

• Ski touring boots

• Backpack (35–45 L)

• Ice axe, classic straight model 40–50 cm

• Crampons (steel recommended, not aluminum)

• Avalanche transceiver

• Shovel

• Probe

• Harness, lightweight with adjustable leg loops

• Goggles (orange/yellow lens for poor visibility)

• Sunglasses (category 3–4)

• Gore-Tex jacket and pants with ventilation

• Lightweight down jacket

• 2 base layers (synthetic or wool)

• 2 pairs of ski socks

• Mid-layer fleece

• Thin gloves and insulated gloves

• Balaclava or face protection for bad weather

• Sun hat / cap

• Headlamp + spare batteries

• Sunscreen

• Water bottle (1–2 L, avoid Camelbak systems)

• Sleeping liner for huts

Included

• Certified UIGMA/IFMGA mountain guide

• All in-country transport including airport transfers from/to Barcelona

• 2 hotel nights in Vielha (shared double room with breakfast; single room possible for extra fee)

• Dinner on the first night in Vielha

• 4 hut nights with half-board (breakfast & dinner)

• Stunning scenery and world-class skiing in Aigüestortes National Park

Not Included

• Drinks with meals

• Lunches (available to purchase in huts)

• Personal ski touring equipment (see list above)

• Lift passes (if used)

• Flights to/from Barcelona

• Mandatory rescue insurance covering mountain rescue costs

Group Bookings

We offer both private group departures and open group weeks where individual participants can book and join others.