Lonely Planet names Boí Taüll one of Europe's best affordable ski resorts

Boí Taüll in the Catalan Pyrenees has been named one of Europe's best affordable ski resorts by Lonely Planet.

The travel guide praised the resort as "crowd-free, family-friendly and north-facing – crucial for long-lasting snow."

As well as providing good value for money – €175 for a six-day high-season lift pass – Boí Taüll was singled out as the 'best for après-ski culture', for its culinary and architectural offering.

The resort – the highest in the Pyrenees – is close to the Vall de Boí's nine UNESCO-listed Romanesque churches, dating from the 11th and 12th century, where the Lonely Planet says visitors can "spend lazy afternoons ogling world-famous frescoes."

The guide also suggests some hearty Catalan cooking to warm up after a day on the snow: "spiced snails and trinxat (potato-cabbage hash)," with a "chocolate-oozing crepe" from Ca la Pepa for dessert.

As for the skiing itself, Boí Taüll is described as a "sweet ski area with 28 miles (45km) of mostly red and black (advanced) trails," helping it to earn its place as one of the top eight ski resorts in Europe for budget travelers.

Season showing promise

The 2021-2022 ski season in Catalonia has been up and running for well over a month, with an intense snow storm in late November allowing many resorts to open 10 days ahead of schedule; the season usually kicks off around the December 6 and December 8 bank holidays.

Last year, the sector was heavily affected by Covid restrictions. The beginning of the season was delayed, and travel restrictions meant that only people living in the same county were able to come, a small proportion of usual visitors. The vast majority of people in Catalonia were not able to travel to ski resorts until late in the season.

This year, however, there are no restrictions on movement between counties, but restaurants and bars at ski resorts do have to comply with capacity restrictions.