Port Del Comte Oceny / Recenzje

This was my second visit to Port del Comte, and I wasn't really looking forward to it(part of a business thing). This pre-pyrenees station struggles with snowfall, being too far east and south to get Atlantic-driven storms, and too far west to get late season Mediterranean-driven storms. Last year there were hardly a few inches off-piste, crowds were stifling and there was little to enjoy. However, any seasoned skier can look across the expansive terrain and deduct that Port del Comte must be a paradise in deep snow, with gorgeous glades and the fun park promise of the Estivella sector. On this recent visit, we had the snow - not so deep, but enough to open up less-traveled terrain and give one the illusion we were at least an hour further north, deep in the Pyrenees. Several natural snow descents were open, including the elusive Estivella sector, dispersing the crowds(this station is the closest to Barcelona) and offering more varied terrain. However, the downsides are considerable: there is only one detachable lift, so the runs seem short as the mountain's considerable vertical is not contiguous. In addition, the main base facilities have an 80's vibe straight out of "Hot Tub Time Machine". And, yes - low snowfall. But on a snowy day, looking across the various peaks and sectors, popping into the perfectly spaced trees, it's hard not to be utterly charmed by Port de Comte.

• tree skiing, dining/lodging options, access
• antiquated facilities, crowded, slow lifts, low snowfall

This ski area, close to the Cadi Moixero National Park in the Pyrenean foothills, was relatively unknown to visitors before the advent of the ski lifts in the early 1970s. Now there are some lovely descents through wooded hillsides. With 25 miles of runs and a 2,500 foot vertical; this is a good sized ski area with trails up to a mile and a half long for all ability levels. Snowmaking continues to expand and now covers about half of the runs, with another 70 snow guns added for the 2006-7 season. Barcelona airport is a little over an hour (70 miles) away.