Snowy En Español

[Lilliana Adames]

Millionsof people get excited when they see the first snowflakes fall. These same people are those who do not understand staying at home when, during the cold months, part of the Spanish geography turns white when snow falls. These lines are designed for all of them. For those who chase the villages where a snowy getaway is better than a spring getaway. They are also counted by many.

The mountains of Lugo may not be as popular as the Maria, but they are just as attractive. In winter it is even more so, as Piornedo, located at an altitude of 1,100 meters in the middle of the Ancares mountain range, proves. This village stands out for its ancestral architecture: the pallozas, stone structures with a cone-shaped roof made of rye straw. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, it has a museum where you can discover the ancient history and way of life. All around, hiking trails everywhere and incredible views.

Views that improve when the snow covers these pallozas and their surroundings. This climatological phenomenon is common in the mountains of Lugo. Something that, of course, has traditionally caused great difficulties to its inhabitants. Life is now easier, but Piornedo has not moved away from its historical isolation.

The Benasque valley is the heart of the Aragonese Pyrenees. It is peace and movement, immensity and closeness. A visit to this corner of the Spanish geography leads to a state of surprise and tranquility in perfect balance. The village of Benasque is the ideal place to stay to discover this environment, with a perfectly preserved medieval historic center and traditional architecture that pleases the visitor.

When the snow reaches its rooftops and turns everything into a white field, the sensations increase. One tends to think of northern European countries when looking for pictures like the one that subscribes these lines. Well: in Benasque you can find this very thing.

The capital of the municipality of Alto Aran, located in the popular valley of the Catalan Pyrenees, is a kind of gateway to it. In medieval times it was a fortified village that still preserves remains of its ancient castle and some buildings from the 12th century. Around this town are peaks of significant height that impress any visitor. That is what the Pyrenees have.

When the snow falls, the direct contact with nature that Salard offers intensifies and changes somewhat. Temperatures drop, of course, but the landscapes become beautiful. Surrounded by the Garonne and Unhola rivers, Salard shines when the snow invades it.

When discovering Sotres, the first thing you do is wonder how it is possible that this village was born and grew in that exact spot. The highest village in Asturias is located at the foot of the Picos de Europa, at an altitude of 1,050 meters, between large peaks and small valleys. This stunning setting could only be more impressive in one way.

When snowflakes sprinkle peaks, plains and houses. The experience of an authentic mountain village in winter is had in this Asturian corner of the Concejo de Cabrales. You should not leave, of course, without tasting the cheese, which matures in the natural caves of the Picos de Europa.

Baqueira belongs to the municipality of Alto Aran and the houses that can be seen today were built as a result of the birth of the ski resort. This activity is the key element for the development of the area, although skiing is not the only thing that can be done in its streets. Baqueira offers activities both in the cold months and in summer, but it is always better to visit when the landscape becomes wintry.

Baqueira Beret was founded in 1964. With 160 kilometers, it is the largest resort in Spain and one of the most valued, for its facilities and for the quality of its snow. It is located in the north of the Pyrenees and that shows, also when it comes to enjoying the unique environment, which seems from another planet when the white dazzles the eye.

Just 60 kilometers from the coast is this medieval town, capital of the region of Els Parts. It has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site for the conservation of all its monuments, among which two can be highlighted. On the one hand, a wall that surrounds the population center for two kilometers. On the other, a castle through which Iberians, Romans, Mulsumans and Christians have passed. Morella is one of the most beautiful villages in the Valencian Community.

Although the Valencian Community is not usually associated with snow, it covers Morella at certain times of the year, when the cold arrives. The postcard that it leaves in its wake, taking into account all of the above, can be imagined. It is one of the most beautiful of all the Spanish geography, with the castle always watching.

This village of Navarre is probably the most popular of the Pyrenean valleys in the north of the Community. Within the valley of Salazar, 15 villages coexist and make the visitor sigh, who feels immediately transported to another era, to another time. The surrounding forests change color as the seasons change and when the cold weather arrives they are dazzlingly white.

In the heart of the Sierra de Gdar, the village of Linares de Mora is an ideal option to get to know this beautiful land of Teruel. There is evidence of this settlement since the 12th century and its cobbled streets go in line with this detail. Its urban center has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site and an Asset of Cultural Interest. All around, hiking trails and hermitages nestled in nature.

A nature that also turns white. Surrounded as it is by mountains, it suffers the arrival of winter and its snow, which not only paints the houses with white: it hides them. It covers them almost completely. Linares de Mora is an ideal destination for lovers of this phenomenon.

Surrounded by mountains, Mogrovejo could pass for any internationally famous Swiss village, but it is Cantabrian. Cantabria has many film villages, especially in the Libana Valley where you can breathe something unique. Mogrovejo was the place chosen to film Heidi, Queen of the Mountain, a detail that illustrates quite well the sensations it conveys. It has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and Historic Site.

When the snows come to the valley to bathe the traditional architecture of the area, Mogrovejo, like the surrounding villages, offer an unforgettable image. Perfect for those who appreciate the effect this phenomenon has on the landscape.

Since launching the 241-acre Medieval Times Chapel Creek Ranch in Sanger, Texas, in 1991, Medieval Times has become the North American leader in preserving the thousand-year-old pure bloodline of the snowy Spanish Andalusian Stallions.

The castle takes pride in its snowy Andalusian Stallions, a Spanish breed served for royalty in the 11th century and one of the rarest breeds of horses in the world. Other breeds at the castle include Arabian, Friesian, Menorcan, Thoroughbred, and Quarter horse.

A few other moves include The Pasade (the horse maintains all of its weight on its hind legs), The Lassaire (the horse walks forward with its forelegs held up before it), The Piaffe and Passage (the horse appears almost afloat above the ground), and The Spanish Walk (the horse raises its forelegs as to drive anything in its way aside).

Each spring, the Texas ranch celebrates the birth of many Andalusian foals at its facility. The horses at the ranch are bred and trained for performance in the nine Medieval Times castles throughout North America, including Buena Park.

At the castle, the master trainer begins teaching the horses advanced level dressage through gentle manipulation of the reins. As the horses become more experienced, a special four-rein harness is used to properly position the head and to develop the elegantly bowed neck.

Samantha, my darling horse friend and polo instructor, introduced me to her friend who used to ride with Cavalia Odysseo. She might take me as a student. Wow! A door slammed and a really cool door opened. The Cavalia-girl agreed to take me.

I punched the code on one of the most desirable equestrian properties in Middle Tennessee. Owned by retired CEO of Dollar General, Green Pastures is one of the most slathery-beautiful 550 acres for equestrian activities. Wow (again)! I landed in the cream. Enter charming, patient and knowledgeable Emmy and her divinely beautiful and patient horse, Quiebro. I would be allowed to ride this snowy Spanish Purebred who was also retired from Cavalia Odysseo.

I felt raw electricity seeing James Alliston on Parker as they thundered toward my first cross-country jump (the big table at the Rolex Head of the Lake). They took a nauseating spill, catching the top of the tall, wide jump. Spontaneous tears came to my eyes. Bill came back to me with his eyes watering.

Our tears caught the attention of two eventing students from Ohio, Lisa Collette and Danielle Struna, and Noell Sivertsen, their trainer. Noell asked if we were okay. Conversation blossomed from there. Noell competes in one-star events. She had stars tattooed on her wrist waiting to be filled in as she progresses. The three tossed tidbits of their knowledge of the horses, riders and strategy as they escort us across the course.

Info for next year: our hotel was 20 minutes away in Frankfort, Kentucky. This was the closest I could get reserving in February 2017. Rooms were cheaper and available. We had no traffic issues except getting into the Horse Park, but you are going to have traffic on Saturday no matter where you stay.

In the land of magical creatures, white dragons live on snowy mountains and icy places. These dragons are bright and beautiful, looking like snow and moonlight. They need special names that show how graceful they are.

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