Cerler
Cerler reaches 2,630m with the Pyrenees' largest vertical drop of 1,133m. Ski 80km of terrain in Spain's Benasque Valley.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
5 Dec 2026
Closes
4 Apr 2027
Days open
120
Annual snow
1.3m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Cerler is the highest ski resort in the Aragonese Pyrenees, reaching 2,630m at the Gallinero summit and delivering the largest skiable vertical drop in the entire Pyrenean range at 1,133m. Operated under the Aramón group, the resort spreads across 80km of marked pistes and 72 runs in the Benasque Valley, divided between two distinct sectors — Cerler and Ampriu — both connected by chairlift and each with their own base facilities. The terrain skews toward challenging ground, with 22% expert, 38% advanced and 26% intermediate runs, though 14% beginner terrain and two dedicated snow garden areas at Cerler and Ampriu make it a workable destination for families introducing younger skiers to the mountain.
The surrounding landscape is genuinely spectacular, with more than 60 peaks exceeding 3,000m in the immediate vicinity — including Aneto at 3,404m, the highest summit in the Pyrenees. The majority of Cerler's skiing sits above 2,000m, ensuring strong snow retention across a season that runs from December through late April. A standout feature of the resort is the 9km descent from the Gallinero peak all the way to the valley base at 1,500m — widely regarded as the longest run in the Pyrenees, winding through open bowls, pine forest and varied pitch changes across the full 1,133m vertical.
1130m
Vertical
72
Runs
80 km
Piste
1.3m
Annual snow
The Terrain
72 runs across 80 km of piste
Cerler climbs 1,130 metres, from the village at 1,500 metres to 2,630 metres, across 72 runs and 80 kilometres of piste in the Benasque valley of Aragon. It is one of the steeper-graded resorts in Spain: 38% advanced and 22% expert, 26% intermediate and 14% beginner. Six runs in every ten sit at advanced or expert level, so this is no place to coast. The pistes are split between the Cerler and Ampriu sides of the mountain, giving two distinct feels, and the vertical is among the biggest in the Pyrenees. Beginners should plan on staying near the lower slopes and the nursery area.
Gallinero, the high point at 2,630 metres, is the start of the longest and most rewarding descents, with sustained pitches that suit intermediates on the way down and experts looking for a challenge. Around the Cogulla chair, the black Quebrantahuesos is the run advanced skiers talk about, a steep wall that rewards good edge control. The Ampriu side adds off-piste options, though conditions change quickly, and a guide is the sensible choice. Cerler suits confident skiers and riders who want a serious workout, and mixed groups where the stronger skiers outnumber the novices.
Terrain split
72
runs
72 runs across 4 grades
Beginner10 runs · 14%
Intermediate19 runs · 26%
Advanced27 runs · 38%
Expert16 runs · 22%
Time it right
When to visit Cerler
Cerler operates from mid-December through late April, with the 2025/26 season running from 13 December to 21 April. The resort records an average annual snowfall of around 5 metres, with the snowiest period typically falling in the first week of March, when the central Pyrenees regularly receives its heaviest accumulations. High-altitude terrain dominates the ski area — most of the skiable acreage sits above 2,000m — which means snow quality holds well across the full season, particularly on the north and east-facing aspects that shade from afternoon sun. The base depth at the current point in the 2025/26 season sits at 260cm with a season total of 489cm, reflecting a strong winter in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
The resort's position deep in the Benasque Valley creates a sheltered microclimate that buffers the ski area from the high winds that periodically affect more exposed Pyrenean resorts, allowing lifts to operate on days when neighbouring mountains shut down upper installations. Spring conditions at Cerler tend to be reliable into April, with the altitude of the Gallinero summit maintaining cold temperatures and preserving cover on upper runs. The resort's snowiest calendar week averages around 24cm of new snow, with the March peak aligning well with school holiday periods and making mid-season the most popular window for visiting.
Season 2026 - 2027
5 Dec 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
120
Days open
1.3 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Cerler
Daily snow reports at Cerler go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
75 cm
Snowiest day
23 Jan 2026
18 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
116 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Cerler, and where to stay
Cerler sits in the Benasque Valley in the province of Huesca, in the Aragon region of northeastern Spain — one of the most scenically dramatic valleys in the entire Pyrenean range. The resort base is perched above the village of Cerler at 1,500m, with the historic market town of Benasque just 6km further down the valley providing the main accommodation and restaurant hub for visitors. Benasque has earned a well-deserved reputation as the mountaineering capital of the Pyrenees, serving as the access point for expeditions to Aneto, Monte Perdido and Posets — three of the range's most significant summits — which gives the valley a year-round mountain culture rarely found at ski-focused destinations.
The closest major airport for international travellers is Zaragoza, approximately 200km and around three hours by road via Barbastro, Graus and Campo. Lourdes and Lleida-Alguaire airports are both within three hours' drive, with Toulouse in France also viable for travellers connecting onward. Barcelona is around three to four hours. The town of Benasque offers traditional Aragonese stone architecture, tapas bars, and a lively après-ski scene that operates on Spanish time — meaning dinner before 9pm is firmly optional. As an Aramón group member, a Cerler lift ticket also unlocks access to Formigal-Panticosa, Javalambre and Valdelinares under the multi-resort Aramón pass.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Cerler, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Cerler's ski season?
Cerler's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 5 through April 4. That window is roughly 120 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Spain, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Cerler have?
Cerler lists about 80 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 72 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Cerler?
Trail grading at Cerler breaks down roughly as 14% beginner, 26% intermediate, 38% advanced, 22% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Cerler have?
Cerler operates 19 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 6 surface lifts, 5 quad chairs, 4 t-bars, 2 6-person chairs, and 2 double chairs.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Cerler?
Base elevation at Cerler is about 1,500 m (4,921 ft), with the summit around 2,630 m (8,629 ft), giving roughly 1,130 m (3,707 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Cerler get each season?
Cerler averages about 130 cm (51 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Cerler lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €20 to €50, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Cerler before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 5 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Cerler so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Cerler have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Cerler. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Cerler located?
Cerler sits in Spain, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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