A great deal has changed since 1908, when the first documented descents in La Molina took place. These pioneers seemed more like explorers or climbers than skiers. Now, a century on, La Molina is a top line ski resort, suitable for skiers at all levels and of all ages: it has eight ski schools and 400 monitors. 

It also offers one of the best children's snow parks on mainland Spain and a sports centre adapted for people with reduced mobility. This centre is located on the Bosquet piste and has a special ski lift and material and provides specific classes.

All systems go at the Alabaus Snow Park 

However, La Molina really comes into its own when it comes to snowboarding (or snow surfing, that is sliding down the slope balanced on a board). From 17 to 21 March 2010, the resort will host a World Cup event and, in 2011 it will be the world-wide venue for this modality. As a result, its snowboarding facilities have undergone spectacular improvements and updating.

Another example is the Superpipe at the Snow Park Alabaus, with its impressive dimensions: 170 metres in length and 5 metres wide. The world championships will be held here. The other Snow Park, Trampoli, is reserved for intermediate level riders (snowboarders) or for those who have just taken up the sport, which, in countries such as the US, now surpasses traditional alpine skiing in popularity.

La Molina is not just about snow sports. It also provides facilities for off-piste leisure, such as the adventure ecopark, the segways, the dog sleigh circuits, snowmobiles, snowshoes, trekking and hot air balloon flights.

Romanesque art and panoramic views 

Niu de l’Àliga Refuge (tel.: 636 973 912), located on the peak of Tossa d’Alp, is a good place to stay the night and enjoy the spectacular views of the regions of Cerdaña, Bergueda and Ripolles.

If you can stay several days, La Molina is a good starting point for many routes. A visit to the upper valley of the Segre offers the opportunity of enjoying the abundant Romanesque art in the area. The Via Romana is one of the Pyrenean Romanesque cross-border routes, with a stop off at the parish church of Sant Pere d’Alp.

The proximity to the La Molina and La Masella ski resorts enables the use of the Alp 2,500 service, a joint ski pass allowing you to enjoy an area of 133 kilometres with 115 pistes, one of the most extensive skiing areas in the Pyrenees.

Traditional dishes in the most exquisite restaurants 

The attractions of this area include its dynamic cultural life and the wide gastronomic offer, with top quality mountain cuisine. This is the case of the famous Cerdaña trinxat, one of stars on the menu of Restaurante El Bosc (tel.: 972 892 918), located at the foot of the La Molina piste. Additionally, in Alp, the nearest town and capital of the municipality, you can extend your gastronomic adventure. At the Ca l’Eudald restaurant they prepare glazed potatoes with butifarra  sausage or deer civet, another typical dish from the Cerdaña region. Cal Patxi (tel.: 972 890 182) is located in a former casa de pagès  (country house) and its cuisine does justice to its origins.