snow

Pirena, racing with dogs

Posted on 02. Dec, 2005 by catherine in dogs, Pirena, racing, sledding, snow

FOR TWO weeks in January competitors from around the world bring their huskies, malamutes and alaskas to the Pyrenees to take part in Pirena.

The contest, started in 1991 by Pep Parés, takes the dogs and their owners through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Pyrenees of Aragón, Catalonia, Andorra and France, on ‘La Ruta Blanca del Pirineo’ which is Pirena.

At night the howl of the dogs beneath the stars, around the bonfires harks back to the beginning of humankind while the natural understanding between man and his best friend remains evident with the excellent care given to these athletic dogs.

This year sees the 15th contest taking place between 22 January and 1 February 2005 as these super-fit dogs and their owners, or ‘mushers’ as they are called, compete for the Pirena Grand Prix Affinity Prize.

Pirena counts towards the International Federation of Sled dog Sports (IFSS) World Cup as well as the European Sled Dog Racing Association (ESDRA) European Cup.

Formigal Spanish ski resort

Posted on 24. Mar, 2004 by catherine in Formigal, Pyrenees, ski, snow, spain

 THE Spanish ski resort of Formigal has its sights set on welcoming back British visitors as work gets underway on a €68 million expansion.

Just over an hour’s drive from the modern French airport of Pau, Formigal was, until a few years ago, a popular destination with British skiers. Between 250 and 300 tourists from the UK descended on the resort in the central Pyrenees each week during the season until they were tempted by the cheaper alternative of Andorra.

The price of holidays to the Pyrenean principality were dramatically cut when the Andorran government intervened, by paying the cost of transfers from Barcelona airport to the mountains. The knock-on effect was that Formigal lost most of its UK business.

With the expansion underway the resort is aiming to regain trade from the British market during the next few years.

The main thrust of their campaign will be that they provide a quality service, better than would be found in resorts in the Alps, and at much lower prices.

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