“Should I ski in Europe?” It’s a question people ask me every year.
As a long time ski travel writer who has been all over the U.S. and Alps, my answer is always the same: “Skiing is always dependent on weather, and some years Europe gets great snow, some years we get great snow, you can’t predict it. But the thing about a ski trip to Europe is that it is in Europe, a place you want to go on vacation anyway. If the skiing isn’t great, you’re still eating fondue.”
This year there is a new wrinkle on that equation: if the skiing isn’t great, you’re still getting a great visit to a fantastic city - and driving a Ferrari.
That’s the allure of the new “Full Speed Ahead” city and ski package from the luxe Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona, one of the best luxury hotels in Spain’s most popular tourist cities - and one of the most popular cities in the world period. Between its unrivalled Gaudi architecture, incredible market, restaurants, tapas and many other charms, Barcelona is hard to beat. Especially when you add skiing.
The historic hotel partnered with the slopeside Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa in Andorra to create a package that includes three nights in Barcelona, three at the Grandvalira ski resort, and adds a visit to a Formula 1 racetrack to drive a Ferrari F430 F1. Of course, ski passes are included (for two), as well as ski-centric physical conditioning session at the Majestic’s spa to prepare for the slopes.
Grandvalira is the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees and the only one in Andorra that hosts Word Cup races. It has nearly 130 miles of runs, and the most skiable acreage in Southern Europe. More than half the terrain is covered by snowmaking and the resort is home to more than 40 bars and restaurants.
Both hotels are providing junior suites with daily breakfast for the deluxe package, as well as a 3-course dinner with wine pairing at Barcelona’s Petit Comite by Michelin-starred chef Nandu Jubany, use of the Spa and the Hydrotherapy Zone at the ski resort, and another 3-course dinner with wine pairing at Origen in Andorra by the same Michelin-starred chef, Nandu Jubany. To make it simple, the 6-night package also included all airport transfers, on arrival, departure and to and from the ski resort. Oh, and there are the 23 laps you get to drive in the F430 F1 around the Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya, home of the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Full Speed Ahead is available all ski season, from December 1st to March 31st (excluding Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress, February 22-25, and New Year’s Weekend). Rates start at 6.530€ (approx. $7,200) for two.
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