Musing on Skiing Europe

Posted by
Mitch Kaplan
Dec 6, 2006

Skiing in Europe is amazing. And, not only for the downhill or backcountry ski experience. A European ski trip is also a cultural exchange.

I’ve managed to get myself to some fine European destinations. Such as?

In Switzerland:

Jungfrau region—Wengen, Murren and Grindelwald
Engleberg
St. Moritz

In Austria:

Innsbruck

In Italy:

Brixen-Bressanone region in the Dolomites

In Germany:

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

And, in Spain:

Baqueira-Beret

The trip to Baqueira-Beret was particularly fascinating. First of all, when I was invited, it hadn’t even occurred to me that you could actually ski in Spain.

Secondly, the Val d‘Aran, where Baqueira-Beret is located, proved an enchanting place with tiny antique towns set high on mountain ridges, its own language (Aranese) and a tight-knit culture born from years of physical isolation—there was only one was in and out of the valley and it led to France.

That cultural development has led to, among other things, some wonderful local wine and cuisine. I think we spent as much time eating as skiing.

I was intrigued and amused to learn that Jeep has instituted a winter driving school in Baqueira. Seems a bit remote for such a program. But, then again, Baqueira is reputed to be the preferred ski destination for Spanish royalty, so why not provide every possible service?

It just adds another reason to visit Baqueira-Beret, or to return there. And, I’d go back in a New York minute.