Valdezcaray: Schneevorhersage

Valdezcaray is the only skiing option in Rioja (culinary capital of Spain 2012) and the closest to Burgos (culinary capital of Spain, 2013). It's a high, northern-facing area which is worth a day trip or a weekend staying in Ezcaray, a buzzing little village at the base of the mountain with amazing food, huge history and architecture, a superb Michelin starred restaurant. It's worth going just and only when the top lift is open too, which, despite what one might think, is not the most common as, despite being higher, frequent high winds keep it closed or with tracks blown off from snow. When snow pack is consistent, fantastic off-piste can be found on the west-facing, sunny side of the resort and towards the tip of San Lorenzo peak (for the more adventurous). It's not particularly expensive and they also cut prices when not all the terrain is open. If you are going to rent the gear you better make sure you get it from some of the places in the village, because the rental place at the resort has only creepy stuff for the very beginner, but nothing if you need decent or better stuff. It has no snow park and that's a big negative point because for a small resort like this it would add a lot of interest and possibilities of having fun when climate or snow conditions are not the best.