The region (or rather, parish, the whole country is divided into parishes in the old fashion) Ordino is located in the northwest of Andorra and consists of six villages: Segudet, Sornas, Ansalonga, La Cortinada, Llorts, El Serrat. The capital of the parish is the city with the same name – Ordino – a real pearl of Andorra. Romanesque churches, ancient mansions and stone bridges framed by majestic mountains, intoxicating air earned it the rank of the most romantic place in Andorra. Classical music concerts are held here, and national cuisine is served in restaurants.

The resort consists of two towns , Ordino and Arcalis (Ordino, Arcalis), which are far from the capital of Andorra, so there are fewer amenities compared to more developed resorts. But there are plenty of beautiful views from the valley to the mountains with slopes laid in the gorges between the rocks. So far, the distance from the hotels to the lifts is decent enough for those used to comfort, but people come here for thrills, not amenities.

Arcalis ski center is 30 km from Andorra la Vella, 17 km from Ordino and 4 km from El Serrat. Even if you live in Andorra la Vella, it is worth spending at least one day to visit Arcalis and admire its nature. Among other resorts of Andorra, Arcalis stands out for its unique high mountain landscape. Above the gorges, bizarrely cut ridges rise high into the sky, from the summits of which ski slopes originate.

Small compared to other resorts in Andorra, Arcalis nevertheless has other advantages: it has not only great slopes, but also excellent service, besides, it is almost always calm and not crowded. There is no village in Arcalis and there are practically no hotels and cottages, which are usually picturesquely scattered along the mountain slopes of Andorra’s resorts. But the resort is still attractive both for the inhabitants of Andorra itself and for their neighbors – the Spanish and the French, who willingly come here on holidays and weekends.

Historical reference

Ski area Ordino – Arcalis is the most remote ski resort of Andorra from the capital, part of Vallnord. The creation of ski slopes, the construction of hotels and lifts on this territory began in 1982. It was immediately decided to build a modern complex that preserves the original appearance of the surrounding mountains and forests, and has a minimum impact on the environment.

The Ordino-Arkalis region is quite mountainous, located in the zone of 1,940-2,620 meters above sea level. The direction of settlements is clearly visible. All the tracks are in Arkalis, and the hotels and most of the facilities are in Ordino. An exceptional feature of the resort is the complex tracks with steep bends, which is why the majority of vacationers come here. Skiing on pristine areas is of interest.

The magnificence of this ski resort lies in the fact that gentle slopes are interspersed with steep ones, there are “virgin” slopes, extreme “black” slopes and a difficult mogul’s slope. Despite the small size of the resort, a dozen bars and restaurants are located on its territory. The beauty of this resort is also that it is not very famous, so its main visitors are the native inhabitants of Andorra. It is very suitable for a quiet family vacation.

How to get there: roads and transport

The nearest airports are located in Barcelona (Spain) and Toulouse (France). From them, you will have to get to the capital of the principality of Andorra la Vella by regular buses. It is 24 km from Arkalis, and 9 km from Ordino. The SnoBus shuttle bus goes to Arcalis, making a stop in Ordino, starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m. You can get to Ordino by car on the CG3 route, which runs north of La Massana. The distance is 3 km.

Climate

The winter resort of Ordino-Arcalis is located in the small Principality of Andorra, which, in turn, lies in a subtropical mild mountain climate zone. The country is located near the Mediterranean Sea, which accounts for the mildness of the climatic conditions. Andorra is the European country with the most positive weather forecast of the year. Almost 250 days there is bright sun and no wind or rain. But, at the same time, the weather here can differ depending on the altitude you are at, as Andorra has a high-altitude climate zone. The winter ski season begins in Ordino-Arkalis at the beginning of December. The air temperature in winter here is never below zero during the day, it stays at the level of +5-7C. At night, the temperature drops to -2-5C and it snows. In the summer, it is warm and sunny, the air temperature reaches + 15-20C.

Where to ride: towns, tracks, riding areas

On the territory of 442 hectares, 26 km of tracks are laid, this is not so much compared to other resorts of Andorra, but the modest size is compensated by the level of difficulty and beauty. There are tracks for beginners, but they are few, so experienced skiers and extreme skiers go here more often. The black slopes are winding and full of surprises, guests especially like the mogul track. All conditions have been created for snowboarders, a snow park is equipped, it has a half pipe and a springboard. In favorable weather conditions, a bordercross is organized.

Scheme of Ordino-Arkalis tracks

Due to the fact that the tracks are located mainly on the northern slopes, the snow cover here lasts much longer than in other resorts. In terms of the number of slopes, Ordino is inferior to Soldeu-El Tarter and Pas de la Cassa – Grau Roig , but it differs favorably from all ski resorts in Andorra in the variety of slopes for intermediate skiers.

The trails of this resort meet the tastes of everyone: both skiers and boarders – they are diverse, with interesting terrain, and moderately wide. The absolute majority of local slopes are prepared daily according to the highest alpine standards. Despite the high quality of the local snow, 74 snow cannons protect its cover in the most vulnerable places. Five local slopes are FIS certified.

This resort is famous for a large number of difficult “black” tracks, as well as steep and dangerous descents, and areas of untouched virgin snow. There are paths and excellent opportunities for those who like to go down on a snowboard on slopes of medium difficulty. Excellent skiing areas are located on different slopes at an altitude of 1,940 to 2,620 meters, providing unique opportunities for different categories of snowboarders: from beginners to professional freestylers and fans of extreme descents.

Ordino-Arkalis has unique routes that run along picturesque slopes dotted with forests. They are long and long enough to have time to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Two distinctive long “red” runs descending from the 2,554-meter summit of Mount LePortelles are unique. Beginners and newcomers will especially like the long and easy tracks “LaBasera” or “ElTunel”.

A beautiful unspoiled area for freeriders located in the LaComa mountain area will be an excellent option for freeriding. Professional snowboarders – aces can “break away” on several especially high-speed descents or on a mogul track. This snow park is equipped with jumps of different difficulty categories, as well as a half pipe.

The main skiing area, Cercle d’Arcalis gorge, is very picturesque and has the shape of a giant bowl. It is in this “bowl” that almost two-thirds of all lifts and tracks are concentrated, as well as the slalom stadium and the Snow Park (jumps, rails, bordercross). The second ski sector, La Coma, is located just beyond the Le Portelle pass (2552m). From here, you can easily reach the highest point of the resort – Kota (2625 m), which is located almost on the border with France, on a four-chair lift.

More than 300 hectares of local slopes are an area specially designed for off-piste skiing. If there is enough snow, you can drive here at high speed in long arcs.

The height difference during skiing reaches seven hundred meters. Zones with tracks of medium and high difficulty pass on virgin slopes, which gives snowboarders maximum opportunities.

14 lifts take tourists to the peaks. The necessary equipment can be rented or purchased in specialized stores. Ski schools with 40 instructors will help beginners to get on skis and master the techniques of skiing.

Hotels and other infrastructure are located in Ordino , and ski slopes with lifts are located in Arcalis . There are 8 green, 6 blue, 11 red and 2 black tracks, which is a lot in such a small space. But the green tracks are also quite difficult for beginners. Alpine skiers of intermediate level and professionals can enjoy riding on local slopes. For extremes, a mogul track is available, as well as 2 black slopes. Snowboarders ride in the snow park, which has a half pipe and a springboard. In good weather, the bordercross is open for those who wish.

The total length of the tracks is 26 km.

A total of 25 routes, including:

– green – 6;

– blue – 6;

– red – 11;

– black – 2.

Elevators:

– bakeries – 7;

– armchairs – 5.

Productivity: 6,510 people/hour.

Ordino-Arcalis ski stations are 20 minutes away. The ski bus will deliver. Using the shuttle bus, you can go down to La Massana, and from there you can use the new lift to get to the slopes of the Pal-Arinsal station . If you get tired of skiing on the slopes of this base, for an additional fee you can be taken by helicopter to the slopes of the Pas de la Cassa resort.

For children

The resort of Ordino-Arkalis was also chosen by individual snowboarders, fun groups of extremes, as well as sports families. Unique walks on snowshoes will be great fun for adults and children. Babies can be safely entrusted to qualified educators and trainers. They work in a specialized kindergarten, which is located right in the village. Kindergarten accepts children from 4 to 9 years old. For the youngest children from 1 to 3 years old, there is a crèche where children are entertained by professional teachers, offering them educational toys and all kinds of games.

Specialized training groups are provided for older children to ride. You can also use the services of a personal professional trainer. The price of lessons both in groups and with a private trainer is quite affordable. For families, lovers of skiing entertainment, there are also special discounts and benefits on the cost of skiing and using the services of lifts, here you can also buy a family “ski pass” for several days.

Prices are acceptable. The local ski pass will cost 37 EUR per day, 64 EUR for 2 days, 95 EUR for 3 days, 145 EUR for 5 days, and 28 EUR per day for more than 5 days.

Where to live

In Ordino and El Serrat, there is a sufficient selection of budget hotels and aparthotels, mainly of the 3* category. The rooms are often small in size, but this is a feature of most Andorran hotels.

There are no hotels near the tracks in Arkalis itself, the nearest ones are 7 km from the settlement. Several three- and four-star hotels are located in Ordino: Aparthotel, Prats, Casa Vella, Babot, Santa Barbara, Coma. Other establishments are located in the surrounding villages: Llorts, El Serrat, La Cortinada, Arans. To live in comfortable conditions, it is better to settle in La Massana, and this is what many skiers do. Several buses run from La Massana to Ordino – Arcalis.

Hotel Santa Bàrbara De La Vall D’ordino 3 star hotel

Hotel Santa Bàrbara De La Vall D’Ordino is located in the town of Ordino, 4 km from the Pal Arinsal ski resort. This country hotel features a restaurant and rooms with mountain views.

Hotel Santa Bàrbara is decorated in a traditional style. Its rooms are bright and comfortable. Each room has satellite TV, wooden furniture and floors.

Breakfast is served daily at the hotel’s restaurant, and drinks are available at the bar with free Wi-Fi. The hotel also has a ski storage room.

Hotel Santa Bàrbara is located in a quiet country corner. Here you can go on a walk, bike ride or horseback ride. The location of the hotel is ideal for skiing. The ski resort of Ordino-Alcalis is only 9 km away, and Soldeu is a 30-minute drive away.

Hotel La Planada 3-star hotel

Hotel La Planada is located in Ordino, just 200 meters from the bus stop to the ski resorts. It offers free Wi-Fi in public areas and heated rooms with fabulous mountain views.

All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries, and some rooms also have a balcony.

Hotel La Planada has a bar and a restaurant. In addition, hotel amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool, as well as the ability to rent ski equipment and purchase a ski pass for an additional fee.

The commercial center of Andorra la Vella is only 8 km from the hotel.

R de rural – Casa Mariola 4 star hotel

Casa Mariola is a traditional country-style holiday home located in the small town of Ordino. Guests can enjoy a cozy living room with a fireplace and a garden with barbecue facilities. Amenities include free WiFi.

The two-story country house with original interior elements, such as stone walls and wooden beams, has a kitchen with a dishwasher. The bathroom has 2 large stone sinks and bathrobes. All rooms have garden views.

Ski passes can be purchased at the holiday home. A washing machine is at guests’ disposal.

Skiing and hiking can be enjoyed on site and next to the holiday home. The Ordino-Arkalis ski resort is 1 km away.

Hotel Babot 3-star hotel

This family-run hotel is located in the beautiful landscape of Ordino. The windows offer a stunning view of the picturesque surroundings.

The tastefully decorated hotel is located in a picturesque location. All bedrooms have a beautiful view. You can sit on the terrace and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you.

A wide variety of outdoor activities are held in the neighborhood in summer and winter, as well as facilities for rest and relaxation. The hotel is located a few kilometers from the Val Nord ski resort and is fully equipped with all your needs in mind. Here you can relax after a hard day’s work on the ski slopes or take a walk in the beautiful surroundings.

Hotel & SPA Niunit 4-star hotel

Hotel Niunit Ordino is located in the village of El Serrat, in the province of Ordino. The hotel has a spa, a restaurant and a bar.

Niunit Hotel offers comfortable rooms with a strict interior. Amenities include a TV, hairdryer and private bathroom.

Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast in the restaurant at the Niunit hotel, as well as a hot tub and sauna in the spa salon. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.

Hotel Niunit Ordino is located less than 7 km from Valnord ski resort and from the nearest golf club. The hotel is 8 km from Ordino, and Andorra la Vella can be reached in 30 minutes by car.

Where to eat: canteens and restaurants

All hotels have cafes, bars and restaurants. Specialized institutions are mostly located in Ordino.

In the evening, you can diversify your rest with a trip to the Xalos music pub, the Topic pizzeria restaurant and bar, or the Armengol restaurant.

Where to have fun: excursions and attractions

Despite the fact that Ordino – Arkalis has a rather modest territory, there are many interesting places. In Arkalis, there are bars and restaurants near the pistes, where you can have a snack between climbs. To get to a disco or go to the cinema, you have to go to Ordino. As in a big city, the infrastructure here is better developed and there are even two sports centers.

The Ordino Multisports Center complex offers swimming in the pool, stretching on the tennis courts, in the gymnastics or squash hall. A sauna is provided for relaxation, and you can get an even sea tan in the solarium. The Ordino Sports Center has a bowling alley, a weightlifting hall. There is a restaurant and bar at the complex.

In addition to mountain skiing and snowboarding, the Ordino-Arkalis area offers snowshoe hiking programs and snow surfing. It will be interesting to walk through the Sorteni Nature Park and the Nature Study Center, which houses a permanent exhibition. Several hundred different plants grow here, deer and wild boars are found here.

Since Ordino is a fairly old town, and people have lived in the vicinity since the Romanesque era, quite a few old buildings have been preserved. The church of Saint Cornelis and Saint Cebri (Sant Corneli y Sant Cebrià) works in the town square. Services are still held in the medieval Romanesque building, restored in the 17th-18th centuries. Also on the town square (Town Square) there is a remarkable ring of shame, to which violators of the peace were tied.

Sant Corneli y Sant Cebrià

Ordino is home to several exceptional museums. Rare Orthodox icons of the 16th-19th centuries are collected in the Museum of Iconography. In the Museum of Microminiatures, there is a permanent exhibition of the works of the world-famous progenitor of microminiatures, the Ukrainian Mykola Syadristy. About 50,000 stamps are exhibited in the Postal Museum, the oldest of which date back to 1928. In the house – museum of the Areni family – Plandolit, you can experience the everyday life of people of the 19th century.

There are several remarkable churches in the vicinity of Ordino. The Romanesque church of Sant Martí (Sant Martí de la Cortinada) in La Cortinada was built in the 12th century. In Llorts, you should visit Sant Cerni de Nagol, built in the 17th century. An interesting tour “Discovering La Cortinad”, which leads to an ancient but still working mill and sawmill, which were in the 16th and 17th centuries the center of local industrial activity.

Now it’s your turn to appreciate the wonderful possibilities of ski slopes in the Ordino-Arkalis resort.