Alto Campoo Ski Resort

The Alto Campoo ski area is located in the Cantabria region in northern Spain. Almost 30 kilometres of slopes await winter sports enthusiasts at the end of the Valle de Campo valley around the Cornon (2,126 m), Tres Mares (2,172 m) and Cuchillón (2,172 m) peaks. The highlight of the ski area is the sea view from Alto Campoos, the highest descent.

The starting point for all skiers is the village of Brañavieja, which was created together with the ski area. On the outskirts of the village is the main building with, among other things, a restaurant, ski hire and ski school. From here everyone goes uphill. Beginners will find two short practice slopes at the Calgosa I and II ski lifts, and piste kids can have fun in the children's park next to them. In addition, novice skiers can take the chairlift Río Híjar, at the top station of which two more very easy (= green marked) slopes await them. The only way back to the valley station is via longer, blue-marked slopes.

Those who are already confident in such descents can take the already mentioned chairlift Río Híjar or the Pidruecos from the valley. Once at the top, winter sports enthusiasts have a choice: explore the longer, blue-marked slopes that lead back to the valley with a great panorama, or should they go higher up? If you choose the latter, take either the El Chivo or the Tres Mares. Both lead to the piste Peña Labra (No. 12), which has its start at the mountain station of Tres Mares. With its location at 2,125 metres, this also marks the highest point in the ski area. The Peña Labra run is not to be missed, as it offers a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Between the Tres Mares and El Chivo lifts, even advanced skiers will find what they are looking for. There are four red runs (nos. 14 - 17), each branching off from Peña Labra (no. 12). Other intermediate runs can be found on the steeper slopes between the peaks of Tres Mares (2,172 m) and Cuchillón (2,172 m). They are each accessed by one of four lifts, although the lifts lead to separate areas of the ski area and are therefore not connected by runs. In addition, there are 3.2 kilometres of routes.

Freestylers can also access the resort's snowpark via the El Chivo lift. The six kickers are suitable for beginners and professionals thanks to their different sizes. There are also rails and boxes.

The ski area offers two places to stop, in the main building at the valley station and in El Chivo, which is located in the heart of the ski area. Both places have a restaurant for a longer break as well as a cafeteria for the small hunger.

During a visit, one should not miss the Peña Labra exit (no. 12), from which one can look out over the Atlantic Ocean.

If you feel like visiting a city after a day of skiing, you shouldn't miss Reinosa, 24 kilometres away. It stretches along both banks of the Ebro and was an important trading centre for centuries. Holidaymakers will find some of the most beautiful baroque buildings in the Cantabria region here, including the church of San Sebastian.

The small town at the foot of the ski area offers few options for party animals. The best place to go is Reinosa.

Gourmets should also drive the 24 kilometres to Reinosa. Here you will be tempted by the Fuentebro, which prepares fish specialities from regional and seasonal ingredients. There is also an exquisite wine list.

By car
First take the A-67 to Reinosa. Change there to CA-183, which you follow for about 24 kilometres to the ski area.

By train
The nearest train station is in Reinosa, 24 kilometers away.

By plane
Santander airport is 90 kilometres away, Valladolid 170 and Bilbao 190. Madrid airport is 330 kilometres away.