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    Spain, Europe

    La Molina

    Ski Spain's oldest resort in the Catalan Pyrenees. 71km of terrain, Alp2500 combined domain and direct train access from Barcelona.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    10 Dec 2025
    Closes
    27 Apr 2026
    Days open
    138
    Annual snow
    6m
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    La Molina holds a unique place in Spanish skiing history — it is the oldest ski resort in the country, having installed Spain's first commercial ski lift on 28 February 1943, followed a year later by the nation's first ski school. Managed by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC Turisme), the resort sits in the Cerdanya region of the Catalan Pyrenees at elevations between 1,667m and 2,537m, offering 71km of marked pistes across 66 runs.

    The terrain is broadly accessible, with 30% beginner, 27% intermediate and 34% advanced runs, plus 9% expert — a profile that reflects La Molina's long-standing reputation as one of the most family-friendly and all-ability resorts in the Pyrenean range. The resort also hosts the largest superpipe in the Pyrenees alongside a well-developed snowpark, making it a genuine year-round destination for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.

    La Molina's competition pedigree is substantial for a resort of its size. It hosted the Alpine Skiing World Cup in December 2008, the Snowboard World Championships in 2011 and the IPC Disabled Alpine Skiing World Championships in 2013 — a record that speaks directly to the quality of the groomed piste network and supporting infrastructure.

    The resort pairs with neighbouring Masella to form the Alp2500 combined domain, which connects the two mountains via gondola and delivers a total of 145km of linked skiing across both resorts on a single pass. La Molina's Adapted Sports Centre, a pioneer in Europe for adaptive skiing, adds further distinction to a resort that has spent over 80 years building one of the most complete mountain offerings in Spain.

    870m
    Vertical
    66
    Runs
    71 km
    Piste
    6m
    Annual snow
    The Terrain

    66 runs across 71 km of piste

    La Molina spreads 66 runs across 71 km of piste of terrain. It leans advanced at 34%, with 20 beginner runs to find your feet and 28 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    66
    runs
    66 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner20 runs · 30%
    Intermediate18 runs · 27%
    Advanced22 runs · 34%
    Expert6 runs · 9%
    Time it right

    When to visit La Molina

    La Molina operates from early December through to late April, with the 2025/26 season running 10 December to 27 April — one of the longer season windows of any resort in the Catalan Pyrenees. The resort records an average annual snowfall of around 6 metres, with the Cerdanya region's position on the southern side of the Pyrenean divide producing a climate that combines cold continental air with periodic Atlantic weather systems, resulting in heavy snowfall events followed by extended periods of high pressure and sunshine.

    The snowiest conditions are typically concentrated from January through March, and the current 2025/26 season has accumulated 402cm total with a base depth of 240cm by early March.

    The higher elevations of the ski area — particularly the summit terrain above 2,300m accessed via the Cadí-Moixeró gondola — hold snow quality well into spring, and the north-facing Torrent Negre and Tosa d'Alp sectors are among the last in the Catalan Pyrenees to lose their winter cover. La Molina's snowmaking infrastructure provides important early-season support, ensuring the main access runs and beginner areas open reliably from the December start date regardless of natural snowfall timing.

    The resort's relatively sunny disposition — the Cerdanya is one of the sunniest valleys in the Pyrenees — makes spring skiing particularly attractive, with warm afternoon temperatures on south-facing blues contrasting with preserved cold snow on shaded upper runs.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    10 Dec 2025
    Opens
    27 Apr 2026
    Closes
    138
    Days open
    6 m
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to La Molina, and where to stay

    La Molina sits in the Cerdanya Valley within the province of Girona in Catalonia, approximately 150km north of Barcelona by road via the C-16 through the Túnel del Cadí. What distinguishes La Molina from most ski resorts of comparable size in Europe is its direct rail connection — a RENFE Rodalies train service runs from Barcelona's Passeig de Gràcia to La Molina station, placing the resort within around two hours of the city centre without a car.

    The resort actively packages this connection as the Barcelona Ski Train, which combines the rail fare with a lift ticket, making it one of the most straightforward urban-to-slopes access options in Spain and a practical choice for visitors based in Barcelona.

    The surrounding Cerdanya region is a broad, sunlit valley straddling the Spanish-French border, with the French town of Puigcerdà just 12km from the resort base and the Andorran border within 50km to the west. The valley's gentle pastoral character — stone farmhouses, open meadows, village markets — provides a notably different atmosphere to the purpose-built resort towns more common in the French Alps.

    Nearby Alp and Alp village offer traditional Catalan accommodation and restaurants serving local cuisine including hearty Cerdanya stews, local cheeses and trinxat — a pressed potato and cabbage dish specific to the region. For those combining skiing with broader travel, La Molina's position makes it a practical base for day trips into Andorra, the French Cerdagne and the wider Alt Pirineu natural park.

    Where to stay

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    Hotels and lodges near La Molina, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

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    Maverick Mountain's Only Chairlift Destroyed as Sand Creek Fire Tears Through Montana Ski Area

    Maverick Mountain's Only Chairlift Destroyed as Sand Creek Fire Tears Through Montana Ski Area

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    15 Aug 2026
    Spain Moves to Ban Smoking at Ski Resorts Under New Tobacco Law

    Spain Moves to Ban Smoking at Ski Resorts Under New Tobacco Law

    Spain's government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking across a wide range of outdoor spaces, including sports venues - a category Spanish winter sports media expect to cover ski resorts, potentially extending to slopes and lifts themselves. The rules would also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, even nicotine-free ones. The bill still has to clear the Spanish parliament before any ban, signage, or fines can take effect.

    22 July 2026
    South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena

    South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena

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    22 July 2026
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    21 July 2026
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    21 July 2026
    The Remarkables Adds Scarpa Bowl to Its Inbounds Terrain

    The Remarkables Adds Scarpa Bowl to Its Inbounds Terrain

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    21 July 2026
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    21 July 2026
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    19 July 2026

    Lift tickets

    10 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult Full Day La Molina

    €35up to €48 peak

    Full day skiing at La Molina, Spain's oldest ski resort since 1943. Experience 68km of slopes in the Catalan Pyrenees with easy train access from Barcelona.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Alp2500 Combined Pass (La Molina + Masella)

    €45up to €58 peak

    Combined access to La Molina and Masella ski resorts creating Alp2500 with 145km of slopes. Connected by gondola lift for seamless skiing between resorts.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Youth Full Day

    €28up to €38 peak

    Youth daily ticket for La Molina in the Catalan Pyrenees. Spain's oldest ski resort offers varied terrain with modern snowmaking and lifts.

    Buy pass
    Child 7–12

    Child Full Day

    €24up to €32 peak

    Children's lift ticket at La Molina. Family-friendly skiing at Spain's historic resort with dedicated learning areas and excellent children's programs.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–6

    Child (6 & Under)

    Free

    Free skiing for children 6 and under at La Molina. Spain's oldest ski resort welcomes families with gentle slopes perfect for first-time skiers.

    Buy pass
    Senior 65–74

    Senior Weekday Special (65-74)

    €17up to €28 peak

    Special weekday rate for seniors aged 65-74 at La Molina. Discounted access to Spain's oldest ski resort during non-peak weekdays only.

    Buy pass
    Senior 75–99

    Senior Full Day (75+)

    €24up to €32 peak

    Senior lift ticket for ages 75+ at La Molina with excellent discounts. Enjoy Spain's historic ski resort with reduced pricing and quality snow conditions.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Barcelona Ski Train Package

    €42up to €52 peak

    Combined train + lift ticket from Barcelona to La Molina. Convenient public transport package to Spain's oldest ski resort without car rental needs.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Large Family Discount Pass

    €32up to €43 peak

    Special 10% discount for large families (3+ children) or single-parent families at La Molina. Family-friendly pricing at Spain's historic ski resort.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Half Day

    €28up to €38 peak

    Half day skiing at La Molina starting at 1:00pm. Afternoon access to Spain's oldest resort with potential for Alp2500 combined skiing with Masella.

    Buy pass

    La Molina lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at La Molina closed on Apr 27, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from €17, with peak rates up to €58.

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a La Molina day pass cost?+
    La Molina day passes range from €17 to €58 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy La Molina lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a La Molina lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at La Molina, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between La Molina lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at La Molina - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy La Molina lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does La Molina offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact La Molina directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at La Molina.

    More La Molina intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.