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The mountain resorts managed by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) are consolidating themselves for another summer as top-level venues for sports practice and competition. Over five months, from June to October, 19 high-level events are held, totaling 33 days of competition where road and mountain cycling and mountain races are the main protagonists. This extensive sports calendar reaffirms the commitment of FGC mountain resorts to promoting sport, physical activity and active tourism.

Road and mountain cycling

Road and mountain cycling have a prominent presence. On July 18, 19 and 20, La Molina will be the venue for the Catalan and Spanish Downhill Championships (DH), one of the most spectacular disciplines. The resort will revalidate its role as a reference by hosting, from August 1 to 3, the European Downhill Championship (DH), consolidating the infrastructure of its Bike Park that has more than two decades of history. More than 20 countries and the best riders on the UCI downhill circuit will participate in this competition. The Government of Spain and the Generalitat de Catalunya are leading the institutional support for the organization of these championships.

In addition to these competitions, the Gran Fondo Pirineus will be held on June 29 in Vallter. And those already held this June such as the Volta Catalunya women's (June 7 in La Molina), the Bucardo Enduro Bike Valls d'Àneu which took place on the 7th and 8th in Espot Esquí and the Transpyr, for mountain bikes, on June 9 in La Molina.

Finally, on August 23rd Vallter will host the 72nd GP Ripoll and the 31st Memorial Fermí Pujol, which will have a total of 50 kilometers.

Mountain races

Trail running and mountain races will be one of the highlights. The Garmin Mountain Festival Vall de Boí will be held from June 27th to 29th, an event that brings together sport and culture with epic races and a wide variety of activities. Two of the three events that will be organized will pass through the mountain station of Boí Taüll. On July 20th, Vallter and Vall de Núria will join forces, once again, for the Oncolliga Girona: Travessa Vallter - Núria, a charity event to raise funds for cancer.

The Olla de Núria, the star event and festival of Catalan trail running, will reach its 18th edition on September 20th and 21st. The competition, which will maintain the same route as last year, is one of the most important and internationally renowned mountain races in Catalonia. This sporting event will feature the Vertical Olla de Núria on the 20th, a demanding race starting from the Sanctuary of Núria. At 1,960 metres above sea level, participants will have to overcome 3.78 kilometres of route to reach the summit of Puigmal, the highest point in the valley at 2,909 metres, which involves a positive elevation gain of 986 metres, a considerable ascent in a relatively short distance. On the 21st, it will also be the turn of the Clàssica Olla de Núria. The 15th edition of the Rialp Matxicots, in the Vall d’Àssua, will also take place on 20th and 21st September.

On September 1, Vall de Núria will host the Pyrenees Stage Run, one of the most outstanding events for lovers of stage races in the mountains. This competition will allow participants to travel through the spectacular Pyrenean landscapes of the valley in a format that combines sporting effort with the discovery of the environment.

Vallter, for its part, will host the Marrana Skyrace on September 7, which this year is part of the FEEC Catalan Mountain Race Cup. This race, organized by the MadTeam Hiking Club, features four competitive circuits with a start and finish at the mountain station. The routes have been adjusted, maintaining the Volta de Gegant for experienced runners with 24.5 kilometers and 1,900 meters of positive elevation gain to the summit of Bastiments (2,881 m). The Circ de Morens will be the stage for the junior race (13 kilometers), the Passeig de les Marmotes the youth race (11 kilometers) and the Mirador de Bacivers circuit (8 kilometers) for cadets is added. The Passeig de les Marmotes will also maintain its popular walking format. The race is characterized by its unevenness, height and the absence of asphalt along the entire route, offering an authentic skyrunning experience.

In the fall, La Molina hosts the Nit Pirineu on October 3, a vertical race that is held at sunset. With a positive difference in altitude of 860 meters and a route of 5 kilometers, the race connects the area of ​​the resort's gondola lift with the Niu de l'Àliga refuge, located at 2,520 meters above sea level. On October 4 and 5, the Salomon Ultra Pirineu, the competition's queen event, will arrive. It is one of the most demanding and international races, attracting participants from more than 50 countries. With a distance of 100 kilometers and 6,600 m of positive elevation gain, it runs through the most emblematic and spectacular high mountain sections of the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park. The race starts and finishes in Bagà and passes through the surroundings of the Girona resort.

Finally, on October 18, Vall de Núria will be the setting for the Brama race, which is divided into three completely different stages that combine the best of the mountain landscape, with modalities adapted to all levels.

Sports diversity

Summer at FGC TURISME resorts presents a very varied calendar. The Vall de Boí will host the Spanish Cross Country (XC) Paragliding Championship from June 14 to 21. In addition, La Molina will be one of the venues for the Pyrenees Cup, a prestigious international grassroots football tournament, from June 26 to 29. On July 5, the Rallysprint La Cerdanya will take place in La Molina. Finally, the TriTour will be held on July 5 and 6 in Pont de Suert.