In a word: YES. Many many pilgrim places are closed on Christmas Eve and New Year´s Eve. In our stretch of Camino, there is only ONE place open between Carrion de los Condes and Sahagun on those two nights. It´s my house. We have room for only four people.
There may be more and more pilgrim albergues all the time, but this winter, generally speaking, more albergues and hostels are CLOSED than were in the past. Pilgrims are walking longer distances to find places to stay. The pilgrims also seem to be traveling in groups more than in the past, perhaps to simply keep warm.
Especially on the meseta, pilgrims must be flexible, as civil authorities are now stepping in to help with the flow. We had a major winter storm this week, and Guardia Civil drove the Way, picking up pilgrims who´d misjudged the daylight and weather, delivering them to shelter. (two of the soaked pilgs were brought to our house.) One man utterly refused to get in the car- leave the trail, so the police left him out there. Rumor has it he´s now in hospital in Palencia, having spent a stormy night in the open. He´s not getting much sympathy!
