Top Ten Spain Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

Most Pyrenean valleys cut north into the Sierra, but the Vall d'Aran, proud of its distinct dialect and folklore, runs east to west. Until a tunnel was blasted through the mountain in 1948, all connection with Spain was severed by snow for over half the year. Nowadays, the ski station of Baqueira Beret draws a stylish and mainly Spanish crowd for winter skiing (look out for King Juan Carlos and family, who schuss the slopes each year). With skins on your skis (and, unless you're experienced, a guide), you can leave the pistes far behind and bag peaks denied to downhillers: Pincela or the Malh de Bolard if you're an intermediate skiier, Milh and the challenging Mauberme for the more advanced.