Press Release 2016/2017 Season LATEST NEWS 16/17 SEASON Baqueira Beret prepares for the 16-17 season with improvements in different areas enriching and easing the experience for the skiers and snowboarders on and off piste. Reaching 156km of skiable terrain The remodeling of pistes which took place over the summer adds 1 km to the marked runs reaching a total of 151 km plus the 5 km of mountain itineraries. Moreover, the Audi Ski Kronos has been added to the overall total due to its success this previous winter. With this addition, Baqueira Beret now has 104 signed runs as well as a freeride area with 2,166 ha. of skiable terrain, therefore, representing a very attractive option for enjoying the mountains of Naut Aran and Alt Aneu. Preparation and piste maintenance Each morning throughout the season the pistes of the Baqueira Beret resort must be impeccable. To make sure this takes place, the resort has a float of 15 grooming machines, 4 of which have been purchased this season. Two are conventional and two are winch operated. All of the groomers are equipped with a GPS system which improves their performance and efficiency in addition to the safety of the drivers. Snow production A good portion of the snow making system in Beret has been changed to improve the quality of the snow production. The new system brings an increase in capacity of production thanks to an improvement in the use of the hours of cold weather and the reduction of energetic consumption. Moreover, the installations have been changed in the arrival area of 1500m zone of the Vuelta Casa which will increase the snow production in this highly trafficked area. New Borda Lobato and gourmet shop in 1500 The traditional Borda Lobato located next to the parking at 1500 has been remodeled such that this winter it will broaden its opening hours. The restaurant will open at midday and also for the après-ski hours. The menu will be centered on grilled dishes and Aranese cuisine. In addition, a new shop will open with gourmet products in the Forum, next to the Montarto Hotel. Thus, resulting in a nice ambiance in this area which was significantly improved last season with the new Wine Bar by Viña Pomal and the Drinkery of the Hotel Montarto. Improvements have also been made in the majority of the restaurants on the mountain with a focus on restaurant operation and better client movement. New online reservation center and more user friendly web Improvement in the reservation system of the Baqueira Beret Travel Agency with the installation of a new program which streamlines and eases the reservation process for those which take place via telephone and those completed directly through the renovated web www.baqueira.es. Technical information • 156 km skiable terrain • 104 pistes: 6 green (5 km.), 41 blue (73 km.), 40 red (53 km), 17 black (20 km). • 3 itineraries (5 km.) • 7 Km of Cross Country Ski circuit • Snowpark, Slalom Stadium and Ski Kronos • Freeride area • 35 lifts: 1 gondola (9 people), 19 chairlifts (10 detachable grips lifts 3x6, 7x4 and 9 fixed grips lifts (6x3, 3x2), 8 ski lifts (4 button lifts, 2 person bar lifts, 2 rope pull) and 7 transportation belts. • Transport Capacity: 60.144 persons/hora • *Moment potential: 18.209* • Highest level: 2.510m • Lowest level: 1.500m • Elevation drop: 1.010m • Skiable area: 2.166Ha. • 629 snow production canons • Snow grooming machines: 15 * Moment potential = Transport capacity x Elevation drop (each lift) 1.000 COMPLEMENTARY SERVICES • 5 ski repair and rental shops • 7 Parking Areas with capacity for 5.040 vehicles • 26 Cafeterias, restaurants and bars on the mountain • 4 Snow Park Nurseries • 2 first aid points on the slopes • Private Medical Center in the Baqueira 1500 area • More than 500 ski instructors • Residential area at the foot of the resort with hotels, apartments, restaurants, discotheques and commercial centers. Provisional calendar of events and competitions Baqueira Beret 2016 2017 December 15 RTV SKI Meeting – Christmas Trophy 17 Marató TV3 / Salomon Quest Challenge 18 Naut Aran Skating, Cross Country Ski 24 Santa Claus arrival on piste pulled by dog sled 31 Downhill torch ride. Fireworks and Vin Cau (warm sweet wine) January 1 New Year’s Eve Concert 5 King’s Day Parade 14 World Snow Day (FIS) celebration activities, Open Race, Snowman Contest and downhill ride with torches 21 BBB Ski Race Experience 28-29 Montse Corominas Slalom and Super Giant Trophy February 5 Marxa Beret, Open Cross Country ski race, all categories, Beret. 11-12 Montgarri & Friends Trophy, Alpine (Alevines), SL y SG, Beret 18 y 19 II Copa FEDC, Spanish Ski Federation for the Blind 25 Special Program Carnival Activities 26 FEDC U10-U12 Cup March 4-5 Top CAEI FIS, GS 10-12 Jesús Serra Foundation Trophy 18 Audi Quattro Era Baishada, Combi Race open, Beret 29-30 Amicale des Anciens Championship April 1-2 Open Telemark 3-6 Telemark & Friends 8-9 Ski Mountaineering World Cup Final (SKIMO) 12 MAC-Ainhoa Social Race 13 Copos Social Race 14 Ski-Camp Era Escòla Social Race 15 CEVA Social Race 15 Gold Test Baqueira Beret 16 CAEI Social Race 17 Baqueira Beret Employee Race Events and Competitions in Baqueira Beret, 16/17 season 17 December – Salomon Quest Challenge/Marató TV3 In solidarity with the TV 3 Marathon and in collaboration with Baqueira Beret, this is a fun event in which teams of three participate in two categories, Challenge and Family. The later of which includes the participation of a child between 8 and 15 years of age. Each team has an official number and roadbook provided by the organization. There is a Giant race on a closed piste prepared for the occasion, a challenging Skicross, a freeride run and other trials throughout the resort. 14 January – World Snow Day (FIS) Celebration The World Snow Day, supported by the International Ski Federation (FIS), during which special activities and promotions are organized to bring the snow to the children and families, intends to transmit the benefits of the practice of winter sports. The resort organizes an open race, snowman contest and downhill torch run and continues the promotion with special prices during various weekends. 21 January – BBB Ski Race Experience Open event for skiers from 6 years of age where alpine, boardercross and freeride competitions are mixed in conjunction with the art of selfies in the highest points of the resort. Fun is guaranteed! The three “B” correspond to the initials of the sectors of Baqueira, Beret and Bonaigua and the definition of “Experience” is that this event takes its participants to ride through many corners of the resort on skies or boards which they’ve never ridden before. The competition is an individual qualifier, however, the connecting sections can be done in group, especially for the smaller ones with their clubs or families. 28 and 29 January – CEVA Trophy Montse Corominas Memorial The Ski Club of the Val d’Aran (CEVA) organizes the memorial race in memory of the fantastic skier and founder of this Aranese club, Montse Corominas, in which the youth categories I and II participate. A super giant (SG), a giant slalom (GS) and a slalom (SL) races will be contested in the Beret Stadium. 5 February – 38th Marxa Beret On Sunday February 5th the Cross Country ski race promoted by the Conselh Generau d’Aran, Baqueira Beret and the Town Hall of Naut Aran along with the collaboration of organizations, entities and clubs will be held in Beret. During the day there will be three separate divisions of 10, 21 and 42 km. More information: www.marxaberet.com 11 & 12 February – Audi Quattro Cup Trophy Montgarri & Friends The Montgarri & Friends Trophy, organized by the Aranese Winter Sports Club (CAEI), is part of the alpine ski competition circuit Audi Quattro Cup of the Spanish Federation of Winter Sports (RFEDI). The Super Giant (SG) and the Slalom (SL) races will be held in the Beret Stadium throughout the weekend. 4 & 5 March – Top CAEI FIS The CAEI organizes this FIS competition is the highest level alpine ski race in the Val d’Aran which in recent editions has corresponded to the Spanish Citizens Championship in the Juvenile and Senior categories. In this competition, which holds a giant slalom (GS) and a slalom (SL), more than 250 racers participate from Spain, France and Andorra, among other countries. 10th to 12th March - Jesús Serra Foundation Trophy The Jesús Serra Foundation organizes this Trophy of the same name which holds an open Giant race on Saturday and a parallel race on Sunday. The top classified racers from the Giant race can participate in Sunday’s race. Being an open race and thus for anyone, the winners who are under 25 years of age, can win a Student scholarship. Moreover, there will be many gifts for the participants. 18 March – Audi Quattro Era Baishada The 18th March, the Audi Quattro Era Baishada will celebrate its fourth edition. All of those who have signed up prior to the race will be able to participate in the this open race which combines distinct disciplines of alpine ski and boardercross in the Beret Stadium. The competition will have a start in parallel followed by a super giant track, a jump, kilometer launch and a unique giant track with curves and bumps. The participants can opt for prizes valued in 10.000€ and a driving course in the Audi Driving Experience of Baqueira, among others. www.quattroerabaishada.com 8 & 9 April – World Cup SKIMO (Ski Mountaineering) Final The best ski mountaineers of the world will decide in the Val d’Aran who will be the winner of the International Ski Mountaineering (ISMF) circuit with an Individual and Vertical race in the Senior category.