M. Channels

Updated Monday,15January2024-12:14

The ski season is already in full swing with the last and long-awaited snowfalls. Almost all Spanish winter resorts are open. From Baqueira to Sierra Nevada, passing through the Central System, we propose several dining rooms just a few meters from the slopes to enjoy and gain strength during and after the day.

Baqueira Beret (Lleida)

The Lleida Pyrenees resort is one of the best in Europe. Located in the Aran Valley, it is also one of the most popular in Spain, because, in addition to having snow guaranteed almost all season, its leisure and restaurant options after taking off your boots are enormous. It has more than 170 km of ski area.

Views of Baqueira station from Cinco Jotas Grill.

Cinco Jotas Grill Baqueira. A charming wooden alpine chalet located at an altitude of 1,800 metres to grab a bite to eat, have an aperitif, share dishes or eat something more hearty. On the varied menu, the best 100% Iberian hams and acorn-fed products, brought directly from Jabugo, are complemented by fresh fish, such as grilled baby squid with vegetable ratatouille, and spoon dishes, such as the Aranese pot or garlic soup. For the more carnivorous, secret, pluma or grilled Iberian pork or local sausage. To accompany it, a selection of wines and cavas from wineries all over Spain. Average price: 30 euros. Address: Sector Baqueira 1800 2; 973 63 90 10. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 12:30 p.m. to 16 p.m. Reservations here.

La Borda Lobató. Next to the well-known Montarto hotel, in the 1500 nucleus, is located this authentic Aranese borda with a remodeled and cozy interior, which presents international fusion cuisine as well as an open grill. It prepares everything from cod loins and suckling lamb ribs to peasant sausage, grilled hamburger or beef entrecôte. For starters, Aranese pot, cheese and pâté bar, salads, croquettes... It also has a menu (29.90 euros, without drinks) and an extensive wine list. It is worth sitting on its large terrace and garden if the weather permits. Where: Núcleo 1500 Baqueira; 689 29 13 93. Opening hours: from 13 p.m. to 15:30 p.m. and from 19:30 p.m. to 22:45 p.m.

The Raclette.

The Raclette. It is one of the most popular places in the resort, thanks to its excellent raclettes. Located between the Tuca Blanca and Montarto hotels, it has a menu with a first course, to choose between four dishes (carrot cream, endive salad with Roquefort and walnuts, bud salad or house pâté), and a second course which is a raclette with ham, potatoes, vegetables... Also, wine and dessert. Price: 33 euros. Where: Núcleo Baqueira 1.500; 973 64 54 77. Opening hours: from 13.30 pm to 15.30 pm and from 20 pm to 23 pm.


Cerler

Located in the Benasque Valley (Huesca), surrounded by imposing peaks of more than 3,000 m high, such as Aneto or El Perdiguero, it is recognized as the most beautiful resort in the Aragonese Pyrenees. It is not as large as its neighbour Formigal, but it has a considerable ski area of 80 km and a maximum altitude of 2,600 m.

The Forest.

The Forest: Located at an altitude of 2,100 m next to one of the chairlifts, this stone hut is renowned for its freshly made homemade pizzas. It has up to ten different ones, from the Margherita to the Diavola. Its specialties are caprese salad and caesar salad and it offers two types of pasta and three different sauces as an option and homemade desserts. Average price: 25 euros. Where: Chairlift B1; 974 55 10 12. Also open for dinners by reservation.

Brasería El Rincón.

Brasería El Rincón. Despite being in the centre of the village, from its outdoor terrace you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Benasque valley. It specialises in local grilled meats and has up to 14 options on its menu, from old cow to sausage, chicken, lamb, quail, entrails or hamburgers. The wine selection is also quite complete. Average price: 35 euros. Where: Pl. the Church; 974 551 584; Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 20 pm to 22:30 pm (closed on Wednesdays). Saturday, from 13:30 p.m. to 15:30 p.m. and from 20 p.m. to 22:30 p.m. Sunday, from 13:30 p.m. to 15:30 p.m.

The Mastiff's Gunwale. Homemade stews, grilled meats, game dishes and river fish is what this place offers located in an old restored hut with a high ceiling with a cozy atmosphere in the center of the village. Its cuisine is a mix of traditional local dishes with some modern twist. It has an extensive wine list. Average price: 40 euros. Where: Obispo, s/n; 974 551 207. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 13:30 p.m. to 15:30 p.m. and from 20:30 p.m. to 22:30 p.m. Reserves here.

Candanchú

A few kilometres from Jaca (Huesca), and just two kilometres from the border with France, this station is located at an altitude of 1,500 metres, one of the oldest in Spain, inaugurated in 1928. Nearby, at a higher elevation, is Astún. Between the two, the ski area reaches 100 km of slopes, with an enviable gastronomic offer.

Barbecue at Bar Excursionistas.

Hiker Bar. In just 10 years, this place specialized in Argentinian meat and decorated with a sports theme has become one of the most recognized and frequented in the resort for its quality and good price. In addition to the grill, they serve salads, homemade pizzas, hamburgers, empanadas..., accompanied by a large selection of beers and spirits. From its outdoor terrace, the mountain views are excellent. It also has a take-away service. Where: Única, 19, Usla Building; 974 093 685. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 23 p.m. (Wednesday, closed).

Estanés Bar Restaurant. Homemade cuisine with stews and grilled meats at this traditional restaurant in the center of the resort. T-bone steaks, crumbs, sausages, snails, stew soup and homemade desserts are not missing from the menu. It has a daily weekday menu and an outdoor terrace. Average price: 35 euros. Where: Única, 9; 974 37 33 50. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 13 pm to 15.30 pm and from 20.30 pm to 22.30 pm.

Formigal

The magnificent resort in the Tena Valley, in the north of the province of Huesca, has 137 skiable kilometres. It is divided into four well-differentiated areas according to the levels of difficulty of their slopes.

Vidocq's dish.

Vidocq. Located in the village, it is one of the most exclusive restaurants in the resort. It is recommended in the Michelin guide and offers traditional cuisine from the Pyrenees that combines with flavours of Asian gastronomy and avant-garde touches. In its elegant and modern dining room, the protagonists are the original dishes prepared by the Bilbao chef Diego Herrero and the wines selected by Amaya Sarasa. Their tasting menu has 15 courses and costs 65 euros without drinks. Reservations here. Where: Jacetania Building, Av. de Huesca, ground floor; 974 49 04 72. Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday, from 14 pm to 20 pm. Sundays, at 14 p.m.

Asador Borrullán.

Asador Borrullán. Very close to the slopes is this temple of embers for meat lovers (zero kilometre). In its spacious dining room, a menu is served (only at lunchtime, except weekends and holidays) where you can choose up to nine starters and 10 main courses, as well as dessert and wine, for 29.50 euros. Its extensive menu of homemade dishes includes crumbs with tomato and egg, mushroom cannelloni, stew soup, turbot taco, pig's trotters, entrecôte and lamb ribs. Reservations here. Where: Avenida de Huesca, 7; 974 49 02 38. Timetable: Monday to Sunday, from 13 p.m. to 15.30 p.m. and from 20 p.m. to 22.30 p.m.

Asador Montañés. Located in the Sarrios sector, this steakhouse has an incredible selection of grilled meats. In addition to garlic soup creams, mountain stew, migas and other homemade starters, it offers beef tomahawk, D.O. lamb, Black Angus sirloin... grilled that delights the most carnivorous. If you prefer something lighter, at the bar you can taste tapas and portions, inspired by traditional dishes of the Tena Valley. Average price: 40 euros. Book online here.

La Pinilla

The small resort in Segovia, located in the spectacular Sierra de Ayllón, next to Riaza, has just opened its slopes (a total of 15.82 skiable km) after a comprehensive renovation of the leisure offer, restaurants and accommodation.

El Lobo Restaurant.

El Lobo Restaurant. Less than a year old, this cozy dining room with fireplace is a new temple of charcoal and wood-fired cooking in the area. At the helm of the kitchen, the Galician and head chef of the restaurant Daniel Pedrosa creates his dishes with market and seasonal products from local suppliers. Among them, for example, the low-temperature wild boar tacos, the charcoal peppers with garlic emulsion or the creamy croquettes of roasted lamb with vine shoots. There is no shortage of Riaza lamb roasted in a wood-fired oven, Angus beef tomahawk, sea bass ceviche or black fideuá with eels and poached egg. A five-course tasting menu and a dessert are also available for €60. Reservations here. Where: La Pinilla ski resort, s/n, Cerezo de Arriba; 692 46 44 74. Opening hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 12 noon to 24 pm. Sundays, from 12 noon to 17 p.m.

Sea bass ceviche.

Sierra Nevada

With more than 105 km of skiable area, the Granada resort is the southernmost in Europe and the highest on the peninsula. Its privileged location and climate, in the shadow of Veleta and Mulhacén, the highest peak on the peninsula at 3,718 metres, make it one of the most popular and the most skiers in Spain. Its gastronomic and leisure offer off-piste is one of the most famous.

Views of the Maribel Hotel restaurant.

Restaurant at the Maribel Hotel. Opened a year ago, this Alpine-style design hotel on the Maribel and Águilas slopes, at an altitude of 2,250 metres, became fashionable last season due to its good atmosphere after a day of skiing. In the cosy lounge bar with floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace and several bioethanol fireplaces, evenings are enlivened by the music of a DJ. At the bar, you can enjoy numerous cocktails, while in the dining room you should not miss out on trying a typical fondue or raclette, as well as other dishes such as marinated salmon or coquelet picantón with lemon. If you prefer something quick, on one of the terraces there is a food truck installed that sells hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and even beef broth from 13 p.m. Average price: 60 euros. Where: Urbanización Pradollano, Pl. Maribel, s/n; 958 48 11 55. Opening hours: every day from 20 pm to 23:30 pm. Drinks daily from 19 p.m.

Views from the terrace of Tia Maria

Tía María Terrace. On a wide terrazzo esplanade that serves as a viewpoint with spectacular views, you will find this bar-restaurant, along with others of the style that share the terrace area. There, in a relaxed atmosphere, you can savour the varied homemade dishes of its simple cuisine, from hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and portions of chicken fingers to entrecôte, monkfish, octopus or Filipino laing. It's worth sitting on the terrace and having a beer while enjoying the sunset. Average price: 25 euros. Where: Plaza de Andalucía s/n; 958 48 11 93. Opening hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 19 p.m.

The Wall. Located in the Prado Llano area, it offers traditional Mediterranean dishes with a selection of the best national beef, matured Galician blond cow and also international meats, such as Kobe from Japan, Black Angus or Argentinian steer. To start, a chestnut cream, beans with partridge or stewed beef tripe and, for dessert, caramelized French toast, snowy cake or homemade rice pudding. In the winery, more than 80 references. Reservations here. Average price: 50 euros. Where: Mont Blanc Building, Pl. Pradollano, 26, 604 814 351. Opening hours: every day from 13.30 pm to 24 pm.