In the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees, Baqueira Beret has long been synonymous with winter sports. But as the snow melts and the ski lifts pause, a different kind of magic takes hold—one that caters to a growing global appetite for wellness, nature, and slow, mindful living.
Nestled in the Val d’Aran, Baqueira enjoys a unique microclimate that sets it apart from the rest of the Pyrenees. While much of Spain swelters through summer, this alpine enclave remains refreshingly temperate. “On summer nights, you can actually sleep,” says Ambrós Barberá, director of Hotel Tuc Blanc. “That alone is becoming a luxury.”
It’s not just the cool air that’s drawing a new crowd. Since the pandemic, travel priorities have shifted. Wellness has become more than a buzzword—it’s a driver of choice. In Baqueira, that shift is being felt across the valley. “Before, it was all about hiking,” says Barberá. “Now we’re seeing people come not just for the mountains, but for the peace, the food, the thermal baths, the culture. It’s a complete experience.”
People are beginning to see Baqueira as a year-round destination, not just for skiing, but for feeling alive.”
Ambrós Barberá, director Hotel Tuc Blanc
The Val d’Aran offers a rich mix of outdoor and cultural activities between June and September. Visitors can raft the Garonne River, explore the nearby Aigüestortes National Park, fish in crystalline streams, or take in classical music concerts under the stars. The Romanesque Art Route winds through centuries-old churches, while the valley’s culinary scene—from Michelin nods to rustic tavernas—keeps gourmands happy.
Hotel Tuc Blanc is leaning into this summer renaissance. Located just across from the ski station, the hotel transforms in the off-season into a base for wellness seekers, cyclists, and travelers in search of serenity. “We may not have ski-in, ski-out in summer, but we offer something more intimate,” Barberá explains. “Guests come to recharge, to walk or ride e-bikes, to disconnect from the noise. Some join mindfulness retreats or simply find space to read and rest.”
It’s part of a broader trend. The wellness tourism industry, according to the Global Wellness Institute, is on track to exceed $2.1 trillion by 2030. Baqueira is not only adapting—it’s thriving. Without the high-season crowds of coastal resorts, the valley has become a sanctuary for those craving authenticity and alpine calm.
And it’s not stopping there. “We’re just at the beginning,” says Barberá. “This region is evolving—new hiking routes, cultural events, even partnerships with wellness professionals. People are beginning to see Baqueira as a year-round destination, not just for skiing, but for feeling alive.”
As Baqueira Beret sheds its snow-capped image and reinvents itself as a summer sanctuary, it’s no longer just a destination—it’s a revelation. This is where rugged landscapes meet refined living, where cool alpine air clears more than just lungs, and where every path leads to a new kind of luxury: peace. In a world that’s overheating, overcrowded, and overstimulated, Baqueira is quietly offering something radical—space to breathe, to move, to feel. And in doing so, it’s not just joining the wellness movement—it’s leading it.
