Cerler
Benasque Valley, Aragonese PyreneesSee it on the map
About Cerler
Cerler sits at the head of the Benasque Valley, under the Aneto — the highest peak in the Pyrenees — and it is the highest resort in Aragón. That altitude, plus a largely north-facing aspect, gives it the most dependable snow in the region after Baqueira.
What regulars come for is the vertical: the drop from the top of Gallinero to the valley floor is the biggest in Spain, and the long runs back down through the pine forest are the kind of skiing the rest of the Spanish Pyrenees does not really offer. The village of Benasque below is a proper mountain town rather than a purpose-built base, and the valley is one of the most beautiful in the range.
Last reviewed 4 August 2026
Best suited to
- Intermediates
- Advanced skiers
- Families
- Off-piste and freeride
Featured instructors at Cerler
Anna P.
I love the mountains and really enjoy teaching children to ski. My approach is entirely hands-on and tailored to them: we learn by playing and enjoying the snow right from the very start. I make sure they feel comfortable, safe and keen to come back the next day.
Where lessons start
Beginner terrain is up at Cota 2000, reached by gondola from the village, which keeps first lessons above the treeline where the snow is better and the slopes are gentler. It also means a first-timer does not have to ski the long descent home until they are ready — you can ride the gondola back down.
Getting there
The valley is a dead end, which is part of its charm and all of its logistics problem: there is one road in, up from Barbastro. Barcelona and Zaragoza are both around three hours. Toulouse is closer on a map but the border crossings are seasonal.
Qualifications required in Spain
Teaching skiing or snowboarding for payment in Spain is a regulated profession: an instructor must hold the Técnico Deportivo en Deportes de Invierno (TD1/TD2/TD3). Instructors listed as certified on Alpine Pal have either sent theirs to us for review or are vouched for by the ski school that invited them.
Find instructors in SpainCerler: common questions
Does Cerler really have the biggest vertical in Spain?
Yes — the descent from the Gallinero sector down to the valley is the longest continuous vertical drop of any Spanish resort. It is a genuinely demanding run at the end of a long day, which is worth knowing before you commit to skiing home rather than taking the gondola.
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