Notícies

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) has presented the new 2024-25 winter season at the six mountain resorts it manages, where important innovations in the field of sustainability stand out. As the main one, the commissioning of the first 100% electric 4x4 vehicle in Vall de Núria. Manufactured exclusively for Railways, the Torgo will not only improve the station's mobility but will be the badge of a station that is being transformed into a zero-emissions space. In addition, Espot Esquí will launch new charging points for electric vehicles, an action with which FGC culminates the deployment of these points at all its stations.

This year also highlights two celebrations: the 25th anniversary of the La Molina + Masella estate (Alp2500) and the 50th anniversary of Vallter. In terms of diversification, Port Ainé is launching a new panoramic viewpoint. And in terms of competitions, Boí Taüll will once again be the scene of a world event: the ISMF Mountain Ski World Cup in the sprint and mixed modes.

FGC's ski and mountain resorts will open their doors between November 23 and 30, weather permitting. The forecast is that La Molina will do it on November 23; Espot and Port Ainé, on the 29th; and Vall de Núria, Vallter and Boí Taüll, on the 30th.

The presentation, which took place in Vic, as part of the Mountain Fair which is held until Sunday at the El Sucre fairgrounds, was presided over by the secretary of Mobility and Infrastructure, Manel Nadal i Farreras, and the president of FGC, Carles Ruiz Novella.

For Nadal, "Ferrocarrils is a model company in railway management that has also applied this successful model to mountain stations when the Government has commissioned it". He also recalled the impact of FGC's activity on the territory, "where it generates 10% of the GDP of the counties where it is located". The Secretary of Mobility and Infrastructure highlighted the FGC resorts' "for families, sustainable and sports promotion" character.

The president of Ferrocarrils has emphasized the "unique values" of FGC TURISME, "and which no other resort manager has". First of all, "the diversity of our seasons. We have many and very diverse ones, which allows us to offer services adapted to each of them". Secondly, "social and economic dynamism in the territories where they are located". And thirdly, "the ability to innovate to improve services". In this regard, he highlighted the Torgo de Vall de Núria project, the first electric 4x4 vehicle that will serve "a leading station in the field of sustainability". Ruiz remarked that "Railroads will continue to support the territory and the world of skiing".

The event was also attended by the Director of Business and Strategy of FGC TURISME, Enric Serra, the president of the Catalan Winter Sports Federation (FCEH), David Samper, and the representative of the Association of Municipalities for to the promotion of Nordic skiing -Tot Nòrdic-, Imma Obiols.

As for the novelties, the main ones for each resort are:

• Vall de Núria: For this winter season, as part of the Ecovall project, Vall de Núria is introducing the first 100% electric 4x4 vehicle. The Torgo is a vehicle that does not exist on the market and manufactured exclusively for Railways which will allow communications with the hostel to be resolved in those cases where the weather conditions prevent transport by cable car. The Torgo, which will be tested in Vall de Núria but which will be extended to the rest of the stations, represents an important environmental improvement in terms of the reduction of gas emissions with a greenhouse effect as well as in terms of the reduction of noise pollution.
  
  
• Espot Esquí: Following the line of reducing CO2 emissions, Espot Esquí puts into operation new charging points for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. With this action, all FGC stations will now have charging points for electric vehicles.
  
  
• La Molina: This season is also special in La Molina because it celebrates the 25th anniversary of the La Molina + Masella domain (Alp 2500) and the Cadí-Moixeró Gondola. The ski resorts of La Molina and Masella form one of the largest ski areas in the Pyrenees, with 145 kilometers of pistes.
  
  
• Vallter: Vallter is also celebrating, which will be 50 years old this 2025 and will celebrate with an event in January commemorating the commissioning of its first ski lift. In addition, the expansion of the Les Marmotes cafe, converted into a brasserie, is also opening.
  
  
• Port Ainé: The Lleida station will open a new panoramic viewpoint called "The balcony of Port Ainé". From this point you can contemplate the immensity of the entire western Pyrenees from the resorts's 2,000 level.
  
  
• Boí Taüll: The mountain station of Boí Taüll will once again be the scene of a high-level competition during the 2024-2025 winter season. On February 1 and 2, 2025, it will host the ISMF Ski Mountain World Cup, in resort sprint and mixed relay modes, two events that will be Olympic in Milano-Cortina 2026.
  
  
  

Deseasonalization and diversification

FGC TURISME is committed to the deseasonalization of the tourist offer and it does so through its flagship product: the Pirineu365 Club, which already has more than 22,000 members. This club offers exclusive experiences, benefits and draws for its members, with the aim of encouraging visits to ski and mountain resorts throughout the year, beyond the winter season.

In terms of diversification, there are new gastronomic proposals, such as the aforementioned Braseria de Marmotes in Vallter and the remodeling of Niu de l'Àliga in La Molina. In addition, two new panoramic viewpoints are opening, the one in Port Ainé, and another in Espot, accessible to people with reduced mobility. The activities are also expanding, with night experiences with a snowmobile in Vallter, improvements to the Espot Amusement Park, the first section of a new zip line in Boí Taüll and a reinforced Christmas offer in Vall de Núria and Port Ainé.

With these new developments, FGC TURISME reinforces its commitment to offer unique and sustainable experiences in the mountains, adapting to the needs of visitors and contributing to the development of tourism in the Pyrenees.