Barcelona Field Studies Centre

Environmental Impact of Skiing on Vall de Nuria

There are many environmental issues associated with alpine skiing, such as soil erosion, deforestation and the positioning of unsightly ski lifts, apart from the problems created by the sheer number of visitors and road traffic. The Vall de Nuria ski resort is unique in that access is only possible by the Cremallera rack and pinion railway or by a tortuous footpath.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION


Ski resort Vall de NĂºria
Alpine ski
Catalan Pyrenees
Altitude of 1.964 to 2.252 metres (difference of 288 metres).
Alpine ski:   1 km. de pistas verdes de un total de 7 km. 3 km. de pistas azules de un total de 7 km. 2 km. de pistas rojas de un total de 7 km. 1 km. de pistas negras de un total de 7 km.  (7 km. of trails)
 

Alpine ski infrastructure



  Trails Kilometers
 Green 3 1
 Blue 3 3
 Red 2 2
 Black 2 1
Total 10 7
Lifts Number
Ski lift 2
Chair lift 1
Cable car 1

  Lifts: 3.120 lift capacity
  Innovation - artificial snow: 7 tubes of high pressure , 40 low pressure tubes , 6 trails with artificial snow , 5.000 km. with snowmaking

Services


  Schools: 1 ski schools , 25 teachers
  Security: aid station , emergency equipment and rescues , infirmary
  Basic services: Information office , parking , public-address system , toilets , left-luggage office , Snow garden , solarium / terrace, self-service , bar/cafeteria , restaurant
  Material: equipment rental , tools for small repairs
  Activities: excursions with rackets , strolls in sleigh , ski at night

Maximum  visitors per day: 3,500 (Access via Cremallera rack and pinion railway)
Total Vall de Nuria staff employed: 160
Accommodation: Hotel (65 rooms), Apartments (12), Hostel and camp site (94 plots, open April-November).