Núria is open year-round, but the character of the valley changes completely with the seasons.
Summer (June–September) is the peak hiking season. Snow clears from the upper trails by June, the lake thaws, and the chairlift operates to the Col de Núria at around 2,350 metres, opening up ridge walks along the border with France. July and August see the valley at its busiest, with Catalan families claiming lakeside spots on sunny weekends. Weekday visits in June or September are quieter and the light is excellent. Temperatures are mild — rarely above 20°C — but afternoon thunderstorms are common in August.
Winter (December–March) transforms Núria into a small ski station with about ten runs ranging from nursery slopes to modest blacks. It is a family ski destination rather than a serious skiing one, and lift queues on holiday weekends can be punishing. The ride up on the rack railway through snow-dusted gorges is particularly atmospheric. Snow conditions are reliable above 2,000 metres but variable lower down.
Spring and autumn are the least visited seasons, partly because the chairlift may not operate and some trails above 2,000 metres can stay snowy into May. But the gorge below, seen from the railway, is spectacular in autumn colour, and the sanctuary is almost empty.
The Festival of the Virgin of Núria takes place on 8 September, the feast day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. It is the most important pilgrimage day of the year and draws large crowds from across Catalonia.