Asturias in winter: an experience you won't forget!

The Asturian winter offers an impressive natural spectacle and a wide range of activities that entertain locals and visitors alike, delighting all those who wish to discover the Principality at this time of year. There are a wide variety of plans, ranging from nature activities such as snowshoeing or skiing, to walks to discover natural treasures such as the bufones, as well as all kinds of festivals and cultural and gastronomic events.

If you are considering snowshoeing, it is very important that you know how, when and where to use them, and if it is something very new to you, perhaps doing the activity with a guide is a good plan. Snowshoeing is an affordable activity that allows you to enjoy the winter beauty with little knowledge and without great sacrifice.

Without being an exact science, the best months for snowshoeing are January to March. Occasionally, also in December and April, depending on the quality and quantity of snow.

The safest way to get started in this popular sport is to sign up for one of the different guided outings organised by active tourism companies.

If you want to go on your own, it is advisable to have some knowledge of the mountains and know how to interpret the snow. And if you don't have snowshoes, you can hire them at various places in Asturias. You will realise that snow transforms the landscape, giving you a unique and peaceful experience in nature.

Here we suggest some easy routes in Asturias with snowshoes:

• Walk under the light of the full moon in the ski resorts.
• Explore a fairytale forest such as the Gumial.
• Discover the snow-capped Picos de Europa.
• Reach the Meicín refuge in the Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park, where you can recharge your batteries with a good Asturian stew.
• Tabayón del Mongayu, in the Redes Nature Reserve.
• El Cueto de Arbas, in Fuentes del Narcea.

And you can also explore other easy hiking routes in Asturias and enjoy unforgettable landscapes and moments.

Another great option for enjoying Asturias in winter is to practise sports such as skiing and snowboarding. Visit the ski resorts in Asturias and immerse yourself in the thrill of these sports. The Asturian mountains offer thrilling slopes and breathtaking views.

Skiing is a sport with deep roots in Asturias, which has two resorts in the central mountains. They are ski resorts with personality, fun and affordable prices for their different services. Both have ski schools and equipment hire.

The Valgrande Pajares resort has been operating since 1954, making it one of the oldest ski resorts in Spain. It is a versatile resort, with canyons, and combines areas for beginners with more challenging red and black runs.
Its new gondola lift has brought a lot of flexibility and reduced waiting times. Together with the other lifts, they serve a maximum of 30.9 km of pistes, where there are also cross-country and cross-country ski runs. There is accommodation that allows you to sleep at the foot of the slopes, avoiding transfers.

If Pajares is the venerable grandfather, the ski resort of Fuentes de Invierno is the adolescent of the Cantabrian Mountains. Bordering the photogenic village of La Raya, the highest in Asturias, it is a relatively modern resort, surrounded by beautiful scenery and with good lifts (3 chairlifts, 1 ski lift and 1 conveyor belt).
It has 8.7 km of skiable terrain, divided into 15 pistes and is famous for the fun and accessible off-piste skiing that spices up the mountain.

Explore where to go ski touring in Asturias, discovering unique places and challenging your skills in the majestic winter mountains.
The best way to appreciate the winter beauty of Asturias is with ski touring, a sport that allows you to go longer distances, but it is more demanding than the previous ones, so if you are not an expert you should hire a guide to accompany you.

It depends on the quantity and quality of the snow, but in Asturias there are some really special places such as Tarna, or the valleys around Pajares and Fuentes de Invierno, which usually have good conditions and plenty of snow. Also in Somiedo, Picos de Europa or Las Ubiñas. Very exceptionally, when the altitude drops, the Sierra de Peñamayor is a fabulous setting.

Immerse yourself in the charm of winter slow travel in Asturias, exploring snowy landscapes, authentic natural treasures that you can enjoy in a respectful way and mimicking the environment.
Experience Asturian culture and gastronomy, as well as its exceptional landscape and scenery, in the ideal time to travel slowly through the Principality, and appreciate the most genuine Asturias in your winter holidays.

Explore different routes, for all tastes and levels, in search of snow-covered landscapes, where the early sunsets allow you to practice slow travel, finding happiness and well-being in the long winter nights by the fireplace, in the many rural lodgings in the Principality that take you away from the stresses of everyday life.
Slow down, the connection with the destination will increase the longer you enjoy each moment. In Slow Asturias, less is more.

Discover the magic of buffoons in winter by exploring what they are and where to find them. You need to find out about the ideal conditions to witness this natural spectacle.

The bufones are coastal geysers formed when the waves of the Bay of Biscay beat against the cliffs of eastern Asturias on days when there is a swell and at high tide. As the sea seeps in through the chimneys that the cliffs have been carved out, it creates a formidable visual spectacle, which can be more than 20 metres high. But it is also aural, because this phenomenon generates an impressive sound, which will give you an idea of the imposing force of nature.

The three most popular bufones on the eastern coast are Pría, Arenillas and Santiuste.

Winter is the most likely time of year, although they can wake up at any time of the year. Several factors come into play, the most important being:

• Plenty of groundswell to see them at their best, the more the better.
• It is better to go at high tide, although it is not essential if there is a big storm.

Of course, always take extreme precautions when walking among the bufones, and do not lean out over the edge of these fissures, or of the nearby cliffs.

In addition, if you are travelling with your family, plans with children in winter multiply, especially during the Christmas holidays, where the cities of Oviedo/Uviéu, Gijón/Xixón and Avilés offer many activities, with a warm atmosphere and a spectacular Christmas setting.

There are also many towns and villages with very interesting programmes to enjoy during these special dates.

And if you want to find out about all the leisure possibilities Asturias has to offer in winter , check out the Asturias Calendar!