Snowmobiles from Pla de Beret to Montgarri

From Pla de Beret, the snowy plateau above Baqueira, the track along the right bank of the Noguera Pallaresa heads east: in winter it is used by dog sleds and snowmobiles to reach the sanctuary and the abandoned village of Montgarri. With Montgarri Outdoor, which has run excursions at Beret since 2003, you ride it driving your own snowmobile behind a guide, among snowy meadows and mountain pine forest, with a stop at the Amics de Montgarri refuge.

Fourteen kilometres to the sanctuary

The short outing is the Montgarri Visit: 14 km there and back, an hour and a half, with a stop at the refuge. There are three times, at 10:30, 12:30 and 17:30, the last designed for after skiing, as long as the snow allows. Before setting off, the guide explains how to drive; the machines are Polaris or Yamaha and the company insists they are easy to handle. You choose a single or two-seater snowmobile, to go two to a machine.

For those who want more, there is an 18 km loop, of about two hours, and the Moto Riders, of over two hours and many more kilometres. Several outings add a lunch stop at the refuge, and the 14 km one has a night version.

At night, with dinner at the refuge

The night outing leaves at 19:30 and returns around 23:00: an hour and a half on the snowmobile through the forest in the dark and dinner at the Amics de Montgarri refuge. The premium menu, paid there, costs €57 per person, for two at least: cold cuts and cheeses of the Pyrenees or olla aranesa (Aran stew), aged beef chop and artisan yoghurt from the valley, with wine and cava. The children's menu, €20.

Prices, ages and deposit

The website gives prices from €115 per person on the 14 km excursion; that is what it works out per head if two adults share a two-seater. On the latest price sheet, for 2025-26, that outing cost €140 on a single snowmobile in normal season and €150 in high season; €160 for a two-seater with one adult and a child under 11, and €210 for two adults. High season is weekends, from 22 December to 6 January and all of February. If someone doesn't want to drive, a place on the guide's snowmobile costs €40.

To drive you must be over 18. The company does not recommend the activity for babies under 3, pregnant women or anyone with back or heart problems. Before setting off a €500 deposit per snowmobile is charged to a Visa card, returned at the end if there is no damage or fines.

Included are the excursion, the guide, the helmet, accident and public liability insurance and VAT; meals and anything you have at the refuge are not.

Getting to Pla de Beret

You meet at the Montgarri Outdoor cabin at Pla de Beret, where you show the booking voucher. Drive up from Baqueira with time to spare: during holidays there are traffic jams, and if there is snow on the road you need chains or winter tyres. If you arrive late or can't get up, the amount paid is not refunded. With 48 hours' notice or less, in high season and at weekends, the cancellation is charged in full.

Bring ski clothing: anorak, waterproof trousers, gloves, hat and sunglasses. Book and pay in full on the website, or on 616 772 105, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00.

From the same Pla de Beret leave the husky sleds towards the Dossau forest and the horse sleigh, and the plan for a snow day without skis combines them with lunch in Baqueira.