In Andorra, the small principality of the Pyrenees, there are several dozen ski resorts, bases, centers and villages or towns where you will find a wonderful winter vacation. Two skiing areas are usually distinguished, Vallnord and Grandvalira (or Grand Valira). It should be noted that each region must unite several cities or villages.
Moreover, in order to avoid confusion, it is necessary to understand that sometimes one resort is called by a double name, and at the same time each name denotes a separate village or town. This is due to small distances, the fact that from one city to another can be less than a mile, or they are simply located on the adjacent slopes of the valley. Or connected by bus routes or ski lifts and slopes.
Pal-Arinsal
So, the best ski resorts in Andorra are in Wallnord. It combines two skiing sectors: Pal-Arinsal and Ordino-Arkalis. In the last two, it is rare to see an excessive number of guests. So here is a chance to catch the majestic winter peace of the mountains.
The Grandvalira ski area is the valley of the Valira River, which connects a whole galaxy of resorts. Here you will find Pas de la Casa, Grau Roch, El Territoria, Soldeu, Encamp and Canillo. There are many trails for beginners.
Pas de la Casa – Grau Roch
Pas de la Casa – Grau Roch is the largest ski resort tandem in Andorra, located on the border with France and is considered the highest mountain resort in the Pyrenees. There are two valleys here, and guests are pleased with the variety of trails and well-kept slopes equipped with a modern lift system.
As a winter youth resort, skiing Andorra attracts snowboarders, many skiing regions boast specially equipped parks for this sport. Russian-speaking instructors are excellent opportunities for training beginners and family recreation with children. Ski tours in Andorra are best booked in February or March, when there is still a lot of snow, but prices are already falling before the spring off-season.
The tiny principality of Andorra hides in the mountains, does not produce anything, has no army and not even an airport – and all because it protects itself for you, dear travelers. Millions of tourists come here every year and fall in love: with stunning landscapes, clean Pyrenean air and very tolerant prices in resorts and shops. In terms of accessibility, Andorra surpasses the famous resorts of Austria, France, Switzerland and Spain, and in terms of functionality and service, it is not inferior to them in the least.
There are two winter recreation areas in Andorra, which combine several resorts:
Vallnord
Ordino / Arcalis (Ordino / Arcalis)
Grandvalira
Soldeu / El Tarter/ Canillo (Soldeu / El Tarter/ Canillo)
The winter season in Andorra begins in December, but skiers and snowboarders are advised to go here after the New Year, at the end of January – in February, when there is already a lot of snow on the slopes. As for the temperatures, they will be comfortable all winter: the sun in Andorra is kind and comes out often, the air can warm up to +5 °C on a winter day. Let’s see what trails Andorra’s resorts have and what they offer to tourists with skis and snowboards.
Alpine skiers in Andorra
Vallnord
We call Vallnord a resort, but in fact it is a “conglomerate” of resorts on the border with Spain. Any of them guarantees you a picturesque landscape and a good difference in altitude, but still, each of Vallnord’s resorts is unique in its own way. There is a place to go for a beginner, a professional, a socialite, and an introvert. The total length of Vallnord’s ski tracks is 89 km, most of them are blue and red (24 each), green – 10, black – 7. There are also slalom sections.
Vallnord
Pal-Arinsal
Ski bases Pal and Arinsal are located in the immediate vicinity (10 km) from the capital of Andorra la Vella and are connected by a single lift Seturia and even a special free transport. Many travelers use this scheme: they ride on the slopes of Arinsal and Pal, and then, to “change the picture”, they go to have fun in La Massana. It does not have its own ski area, but there is everything else: hotels, restaurants, and a lift to the nearby slope.
For a family vacation, choose Pal, and for a more lively and youthful vacation, choose Arinsal. In addition, there is more choice of hotels, and the tracks are more serious and even more treacherous, because the height difference exceeds a kilometer! That is why freeriders-snowboarders love Arinsal. And Arinsal loves them – it keeps the snow on its northern slopes until mid-spring, and also protects itself with snow cannons. Well, Pal is more suitable for beginners of skiing or calm lovers.
Equipment and routes
The entire Pal-Arinsal section is served by 30 lifts, of which 4 are intended for children.
The total length of the tracks is 6300 m. Among them:
black – 5
green – 4
blue – 16
red – 16
There are free zones for freeride and freestyle. Paragliding, snow rafting, snow biking and telemark skiing are offered.
Scheme of Pal-Arinsal tracks
Argeski vacation
There are about 20 hotel complexes on the territory of Pal-Arinsal, which offer not only overnight accommodation, but also entertainment. Well-known DJs regularly host parties, fitness centers and spas invite relaxing and strengthening treatments – anyone who needs them – cafes and snack bars await Catalan and international feasts. Night clubs are mostly located in Arinsal and La Massana. And if you’re interested in culture, check out the medieval parish church in Pali. It is open to visitors only in summer, but if you make an appointment in advance at the La Massana tourist office, they will arrange a tour for you. Read more
Ordino-Arkalis
These bases are located a little further from the capital and are recommended, first of all, to skiers “with a past”. Especially Arkalis, where there is almost no housing – only tracks, only speed! People who do not yet know how to deal with her will find it exciting here. Beginners are allocated 6 green tracks, and those who continue – 8 red and blue, 2 black and one mogul. Experience drives! True, it is here that the longest track for beginners in Andorra is laid – it lasts 8 km. There is also the opinion that Ordino-Arkalis is the best thing that can happen to a snowboarder in Andorra: for “boards” there is a snow park, and it has a springboard and a half pipe. Bordercrosses are often arranged.
Equipment and tracks
The whole area is equipped with lifts, there are 14 of them in total. There is an instructor school and a children’s skating school, a children’s club for children from 2 to 4 years old – for 25 euros there will be supervision for 2 hours and even the first lessons of skating. Equipment rental points and a medical center are open. The routes are as follows:
green – 6
black – 2
blue – 8
red – 8
slalom – 1
Scheme of Ordino-Arkalis tracks
Apres-ski rest
After an active day in the Ordino-Arkalis area, you can dive into the pool, warm up in the sauna, play billiards or bowling – all this in one of the two sports centers. Do you prefer a quiet and cozy restaurant atmosphere? There will be four of them, and the same number of bars. After dinner, check out the nearby souvenir shops or the cinema.
Ordino is recommended to hikers as the most romantic spot in all of Andorra. The town is small, but you will walk along its stone cobblestones for a long time, admiring the ancient houses and temples. There are several interesting museums here, but the museum of microminiatures will surely impress you the most. Read more
Lift at the resort of Ordino-Arkalis
Prices at Vallnord resorts
Vallnord’s resorts are connected by a single ski pass. It costs 40 euros per adult (16-64 years old) per day of skiing. Children and teenagers aged 6-15 will pay a little less – 34 euros. There is a discount (about 50%) for pensioners aged 65-69. Children under 5 and guests over 70 ride for free! The rest, in order to save money, we recommend buying ski passes for several days at once: you will spend 241.5 euros for a weekly pass, and 182 euros for the same ski pass for a child.
Equipment rental costs 25-60 euros (including boots and helmet) depending on its level. A children’s set is cheaper, about 20 euros.
How to get there
It is impossible to get to Andorra from Ukraine directly: you will always have to make a change in either France or Spain. The closest airports to Vallnord are:
Lleida (Spain) – 158 km;
Toulouse (France) – 196 km;
Barcelona (Spain) – 210 km.
If you want to get there by train, you need L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre station in Arièges, in the south of France. The closest train stations are: Estación de Sants (Barcelona), Estación de Lleida-Pirineus (Lleida), Matabiau (Toulouse). On arrival at L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre, you will transfer to the bus to Andorra, which runs three times a day. The price of a ticket is 1.5-5.00 euros.
Grandvalira
The largest ski region in the Pyrenees, a member of the world top-20. It is located “close” to France, unites several resorts, the last of which is Encamp, where the most high-tech and high-speed lift in the country operates. All resorts in Grandvalira are connected by one ski pass, you can ski on them from December to April regardless of the amount of snow – thanks to snow cannons. There are a total of 193 km of ski tracks in Grandvalira. In detail, there are 112 slopes of different steepness on two levels, which are connected by 66 lifts. There are the most blue and red slopes here (39 and 30, respectively), 19 green slopes are reserved for beginners, and 24 black slopes for professionals.
Slope at Grandvalira resort
Pas de la Casa – Grau Roch
The most respectable and lively ski region in Andorra. Prices here are higher, but for good reason. As it is the highest “carrier” in the Pyrenees (the highest point is 2,640m, can you imagine the view from there?), there are many trails of various levels, including descents with a large difference in altitude, forest tracks, areas for slalom, freeride and bordercross, as well as half- pipe The most modern cable car brings skiers and snowboarders here even from the center of Andorra. Tourists of all ages come here both in the low and high season, but thanks to the scale and the large selection of trails, crowding is not created. Travelers note very slippery snow and recommend an almost heavenly restaurant at the level of 2600 m.
Pas de la Casa – Grau Roch
Equipment and routes
Skiing area – more than 100 km. There are 30 lifts, thanks to which there are practically no queues. There are three freestyle parks. There are sports schools for both children and adults.
Only 6 tracks are reserved for “green” skiers. Others are distributed as follows:
Black – 12
Red – 16
Blue – 13
Scheme of the Pas de la Casa – Grau- Roch routes
Argeski vacation
In terms of entertainment, the Pas de la Casa – Grau Roch region is ahead of its neighbors by a large margin. There are a huge number of night clubs, cafes, fitness halls, massage parlors and shops. You can visit the snow parks, the cinema or the restaurants of Coll Blanc and Llac de Pessons on a high mountain, which offers a gorgeous view of the surrounding beauties. If you look in the right direction, it is easy to see the nearest villages of France.
Pas de la Casa also has a large recreation center with various entertainment options – with pools for adults and children, saunas, jacuzzis, a climbing wall, etc. Grau Roch offers dog sledding and helicopter rides (separately, of course!). And in the charming town of Escaldes, they advise you to visit the hot springs. Read more
Soldeu – El Tarter – Canillo
If Soldeu is mainly a resort for young people and fans of active nightlife, Canillo and El Tarter, on the contrary, are more intended for family relaxation. All three villages are connected by one free transfer. If you are an inexperienced skier or dream of getting on a snowboard, go here: there is well-developed beginner training, as well as many green and blue slopes. There are also black ones, so even the pros won’t get bored.
Kanil Fr _
Equipment and routes
The height difference in the area of Soldeu – El Tarter – Canillo is 850 m, the highest point is 2560 m. 34 lifts will take you to the slopes:
green -12
black – 12
red – 10
blue – 22
There is a ski school and a kindergarten with nannies. For professionals, the most popular track is Espiolets, for beginners – its foothills. For children, there is a road called Bababoom Circus, and for snowboarders there is a half pipe.
Scheme of routes Soldeu – El Tarter – Canillo
Argeski vacation
This area of Andorra has a great entertainment program. Fitness centers, spas and wellness salons are offered to lovers of active recreation. Be sure to visit the symbol of the region – the ice palace Palau de Gel, where people skate and play hockey, and nearby you can find a museum with retro motorcycles. On the territory of the three towns there are about 50 cafes and restaurants with a wide variety of cuisine, as well as numerous shops and souvenir shops. By the way, we still haven’t covered the topic of shopping in Andorra! It impresses everyone with its budget. You can make sure of this, for example, in a specialized ski and snowboard shop in Soldeu. It is one of the largest, there you can choose clothes, equipment, and much more. And this is just one of many outlets. More details
Encamp
Encamp is one of the cheapest ski resorts in all of Europe, while Andorra la Vella with all its capital charms is within easy reach. People come to Encamp in search of a budget vacation, as the town is full of inexpensive hotels. Thanks to the state-of-the-art 6 km Funikamp cable car, you can ride in Soldeu, El Tartere, Pas de la Casa or Grau Roge, and live in Encamp
Encamp
Equipment and routes
Encamp is mainly used as a place to spend the night, but there is also a place to go for a ride – if you are with children or just with a well-developed instinct for self-preservation. There are 4 lifts here, and there are also not many trails:
green – 1
red – 3
blue – 4
For children, there are educational ski schools, as well as crèches and babysitters. For those who are tired of skiing, snowshoeing and tubing are offered. Well, athletes were not deprived either: freestyle zones and off-piste routes are equipped for them.
Scheme of Encamp routes
Argeski vacation
For recreation, Encamp has several restaurants, cafes and museums. The most famous of them is the National Automobile Museum of Andorra, among other things, one of the most visited cultural institutions in the country. Those who are interested in culture should visit the famous Iglesia San Roma de lis Bons – more precisely, it is a complex of buildings of the XII-XIII centuries. For active recreation without skiing, the Multisports Center sports complex was built: there is a swimming pool, tennis courts, a swing, and saunas. More details
Prices at Grandvalira resorts
A ski pass for one adult for the whole day will cost 51 euros.
Teenagers 12-17 years old will pay 46 euros, children 6-11 years old – 34 euros, guests 65-69 years old – 30 euros. Skiers younger than 6 and older than 69 ski for free.
For a subscription for 7 days, an adult will have to pay about 250 euros.
And here are the prices for some entertainment: renting a snowmobile with a guide (excursion) – 120 euros per hour (two seats). Dog sledding (5 km) – 90 euros for adults and 80 euros for children. Tubing – 30 euros for 40 minutes.
How to get there
Since there are no airports in Andorra, you have to fly either to Barcelona (220 km), or to Toulouse (195 km), or to Carcassonne (176 km). From there, tourists get to Grandvalira resorts by Nadal-Eurolines, Novatel or Hispano Igualadina buses.
From the nearest train stations (they are located in the Catalan Lleida or the French Hospitality) resorts can be reached by Hispano Andorrana, Viatges or Alsina-Graells buses. You will have to pay from 1.5 to 5 euros for the trip.
Grandvalira
Andorra is a country of budget, but high-quality skiing holidays. It is a good choice for different categories of travelers: those who have already explored all the slopes in Spain and France, and those who have just started skiing, who dream of real mountains and respect savings, families with children and active retirees. Now, when popular places in Europe are already tired of travelers and are beginning to limit the flow of tourists, Andorra is still waiting for guests. We are sure that you will like it too!
How to diversify your leisure time during your vacation?
In order to diversify your vacation in Andorra, you can take a sled ride with sled dogs or horses. You can go on a tour of Poloniny, where tobacco is grown. It stretches from the village of Llorts. There is such a beautiful area that your album will be filled with fantastic pictures.
Spa resorts, various wellness activities will allow you to return home not only rested, but also full of strength and health. In Andorra, you have the opportunity to undergo a course of treatment in the thermal baths of Caldea. There you can choose the temperature of the water yourself and significantly change the condition of your skin for the better.
Local cuisine is an incredible mix of fresh vegetables, greens, fish and meat. Thick soups and seafood dishes are especially revered in Andorra. All this with abundant use of spices and herbs.
In La Massana, culinary festivals are held every year, so you will have the opportunity to treat yourself to local delicacies.
Despite the fact that Andorra is a miniature country, many tourists come here precisely for the purpose of shopping. Surprised? In vain. Among professional travelers and skiers, Andorra has received the nickname “outlet village”. Why? A system of duty-free trade works here, as in duty-free zones at airports. So you can buy products from fashion boutiques in France and Spain with discounts of 50-60-90%.
Skiing, shopping. Do you think these are all the curiosities of Andorra? No matter how! There is still a lot of interesting things for intellectuals and art critics! Most of the attractions are located in the capital of Andorra, in Andorra la Vella. You can visit many museums for every taste:
- house-museum of the Areni-Plandolit family,
- car museum,
- museum of perfumery,
- tobacco museum and many others.
A very interesting museum of microminiatures operates in Ordino. There you can see the works of the Ukrainian master Mykola Syadristy. His masterpieces are visible only under a microscope.
6 reasons “FOR”
- Skiing Andorra is the sunniest ski resort in Europe, which gives it great advantages over Alpine resorts, where cloudiness prevails throughout the ski season. At the same time, the ski season here begins on December 1 and lasts until mid-April, as in the resorts of France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.
- At night in winter, the air temperature is usually minus, and during the day it rises to + 10C, the depth of the snow cover varies from 50 to 300 cm. The peculiarity of the Andorran winter is that there is snow in the mountains, and below, for example, in the capital of Andorra La Vella (in 10 minutes drive from ski resorts) flowers bloom at this time.
- The ski resorts of Andorra have at their disposal the largest area of ski slopes in the Pyrenees (3,100 hectares and about 350 km of slopes) and two ski resorts. The resorts are located in the territories named GRANDVALIRA and VALLNORD. Andorra also has a cross-country ski station called NATURLANDA – la Rabassa.
- According to the World Ski Awards, the resorts of Andorra are among the TOP 15 world resorts in the world, which are able to host more than 1 million skiers annually.
- Together, the Grandvalira and Valnord ski resorts have the highest concentration of ski lift systems per square meter in the world with a capacity of about 160,000 people per hour.
- Andorra is one of the safest countries for tourism.