Andorran ski slopes: let's break them down. Where is Andorra, history, resorts, entertainment, holidays

Most people won't find such a tiny state on a map of Europe as the Principality of Andorra. It has recently become popular and famous for its ski resorts. The country is located in the Eastern Pyrenees, between France and Spain. So, the topic of the article is Ski resorts Andorra.

Andorra on the world map

General information about ski resorts in Andorra

Every year more than 7 million tourists come here to enjoy winter sports - skiing, snowboarding, sledding. This is due to the mountainous terrain of Andorra: most of its territory is rocky mountains, and at the base there are narrow but relatively long valleys. The Eastern Pyrenees are lower than the Central and Western Pyrenees, as a result, they are often used for family vacation. Officially ski season in Andorra opens at the end of November and ends in April.

This sunny country has a mild, mountainous climate. The minimum temperature here rarely reaches -10 degrees, and only in certain areas. All this has a positive effect on the development of infrastructure and tourism. Andorran ski resorts are located in two regions - Grandvalira and Vallnord. The first is consonant with largest river country, is the largest resort area where the best slopes await you. The second is a young ski region, located in the northern part of the principality, near the border with Spain.

The best ski resorts in Andorra

Sunny El Pas de la Casa

This is the largest ski resort in Grandvalira, near the border with France. Named after the surrounding town with a population of about 3,000 people. Snow always falls heavily in this area, and temperatures in winter rarely fall below zero.

Ski slopes are located high in the mountains, which allows the snow flooring not to melt even at positive temperatures. There are 49 hotels of different levels and categories open in the city. Total There are 55 slopes and 31 lifts. The total length of ski trails is 100 km.

Everyone can find slopes here according to their level of training - beginners, professionals, and even fans of extreme skiing. For experienced skiers and snowboarders, they are located at the top of the slopes and are marked in red. There is also a night route.

The resort is equipped with numerous sports complexes and grounds, bars and restaurants, nightclubs and shopping centers. Snow cannons are installed on all slopes. It is rightfully considered the sunniest and most fashionable town among all Andorran resorts.

grandvalira website:

https://www.grandvalira.com/en/

Pas de la Casa on the map

Family Soldeu - a ski that kids love

The ski resorts of Soldeu and El Tarter are located 3 km from each other, therefore, they are often called a single whole. Often in the sources you can find one name Soldeu-El Tarter, the complex is included in the Grandvalira agglomerate. In terms of importance, it can be called the second in Andorra, and also family-friendly - due to the many comfortable, gentle slopes, slides for children, other children's entertainment, ski schools for holidaymakers of all ages. Another exciting activity for the whole family is shopping at shopping centers, boutiques and small shops.

You can have a tasty meal after sports in cozy and beautiful restaurants and cafes. All this is combined with magnificent views of mountains and valleys that haunt tourists both in shop windows and on terraces. The resort is equipped with a system of lifts, their number is 32. There are 51 mountain slopes on the total ski area. The total length is 90 km. Areas for slalom and freestyle, a half-pipe and a snowpark for snowboarders are in demand. Anyone can take part in sled dog racing. Here you will definitely find a fun and interesting activity.

Soldeu on the map

Tarter on the map

Various Pal and Arinsal

Arinsal ski resort photo

This Andorran ski resort consists of two centers - Pal and Arinsal, which are connected together. It belongs to the territory of Vallnord. Arinsal is located in a more flat and wooded area, while Pal is on steep slopes.

Pal ski resort photo

Pal-Arinsal has such a number and variety of trails that everyone will find an option according to their level of training. There are a total of 45 slopes with a length of 63 km, served by 31 lifts. Persistent snow cover here is formed due to forest areas and clearings that delay him for the entire season.

Official website of the resort

http://www.vallnord.com/pal-arinsal/en

If there is not enough snow, numerous snow cannons will come to the rescue. The quality of the descents here is always impeccable. There are quite a few drinking establishments with regularly organized themed parties and various show programs. Pal-Arinsal has a snow park, a border cross track, and a high-pipe facility. The village of Arinsal is home to the most famous discotheque in Andorra, so it is of interest to youth groups.

Arinsal on the map

Pal Arinsal Sector Pal on the map

Picturesque Ordino Arcalís

Ordino and Arcalis are combined into one resort, the highest in Vallnord. It is located in the northwest of the country. Mountain ranges of unusual shapes and steep slopes are more suitable for intermediate and professional skiers. The place is rightfully considered the best for snowboarders.

Official site

http://www.vallnord.com/ordino-arcalis/en

Local landscapes amaze with their originality and unusual forms. Bare mountain peaks give way to picturesque forests in the lowlands. There are tracks for heli-skiing, where helicopters deliver those who wish, and then vacationers descend along an unequipped track, relying only on experience and dexterity. In total, Ordino Arcalis has 25 trails with a total length of 26 km.

Ordino is a developed village with hotels, restaurants and sports complexes, while in Arcalis there are no hotels, only catering establishments and ski schools: tourists come here by car and leave them under the slopes, in parking lots. Andorrans highlight the resort center and always recommend visiting here.

Ordino Arcalis on the map

Inexpensive Encamp

Encamp is a small town, the extreme point of Grandvalira, located near major resorts. There are a lot of hostels waiting for you here, which characterizes the area as the cheapest in all of Andorra. Encamp has an extremely good location - near major resort towns, they can be reached in a matter of minutes by cable car, as well as proximity to the capital of the principality - Andorra la Vella. All this makes it attractive for lovers of excursions and shopping, who can quickly find themselves in the place they need.

Encamp can be described as perfect option for a family holiday with children. There are 118 trails in total, the available length is more than 200 km, and 59 ski lifts take resort guests to them. It will be interesting to take a ride on the Funicamp cable car, which is distinguished by its fast movement and cabin capacity for up to 24 people. It is with its help that it is not difficult to get to the neighboring valleys, admiring the picturesque landscapes along the way. There are many attractions and museums here.

Encamp on the map

Summary of Andorran ski resorts

Having examined the main resort potential of the miniature principality, it becomes clear that the ski resorts of Andorra can be visited by both young people seeking noisy entertainment, company, extreme slopes and night discos, as well as married couples with children. No one will remain indifferent to the beauty of nature and the surrounding color. You can easily find something to your liking here. Even if a person has never tried skiing, in this paradise he will be able to do it, so that upon arrival home he can proudly brag to his friends and family about his achievements in skiing. Visiting Andorran resorts is also suitable for those who promote ecotourism - there are all the conditions and opportunities for this.

The ski slopes on the slopes of the Andes offer an unforgettable experience. Since all these villages are located nearby, you can get to them very easily - by a regular bus running every 20 minutes, by rented car, or on foot through the tunnel. We present the rating of the most best resorts Andorra, where both professionals and beginners come to the snowy slopes.

Andorran ski resorts for beginners

Not all trails are suitable for beginners. After all, training routes should have a minimal slope and have no bends. It doesn’t matter whether we are talking about children or adults who have no experience at all in this type of outdoor activity.

Recognized as the best ski resort for beginners. And although he was recently combined with Canillo, this only made him better and is now called . The resort is located 19 km from the capital and is literally surrounded by a network of lifts (32) for the convenience of tourists. There are several gentle trails for beginners, called children's trails.

The village is located 203 km from Barcelona and 176 km from Toulouse. Children under 6 years old can ride completely free, from 6 to 11 years old the fee will be from 59 to 192 euros, from 12 to 17 years old from 77 to 255 euros, and adults will need to pay from 85 to 283 euros. Payment depends on the number of days reserved. The season lasts from December to March.

Vallnord

Blue and green routes for beginners are marked. In addition, there are ski gardens for children and regular kindergartens for children whose parents decided to ski a little. There is also a special ski school for beginners that will also teach you how to snowboard. You can hire a Russian-speaking instructor for both children and adults.

In addition, this resort has two specialized first aid stations, as well as 13 hot food points located right on the highway. In addition to skiing, there are snowmobiling trips, excursions to the slopes on a tracked vehicle, and ice diving on a mountain lake.

Addorra la Vella

The largest ski resort in the state is. And although it is located far from the highways (from 4 to 7 km), this does not make it less popular. This is the capital of the principality, which means there is plenty of entertainment for tourists here. The town is located at the confluence of three rivers and against the backdrop of the mountain range it seems very miniature.

In modern boutiques and artisan shops you can buy souvenirs and world brands. Excellent hotel service and affordable prices attract tourists from all over the world. The city is located 186 km from Toulouse and 207 km from Barcelona.

The Andorran resort is good for its proximity to the capital (10 minutes by car), which appeals to lovers of bright nightlife. You can get to the snowy slope by ski bus - a special bus for skiers or by rented car. Not long ago, a tunnel was built between the capital and the highway, which made it possible to reduce the journey from 40 to 5 minutes.

Very diverse - from local Catalan to French. In addition, culinary festivals are regularly held here. And although La Massana does not have its own track, all the hotels are filled with visitors, since any of the tracks is just a stone's throw from here. Local attractions include several churches, as well as a comic book museum.

The village of the same name is now part of the Grandvalira resort and is located 6 km from Soldeu. For 2.5 euros you can get here by bus, running every 20 minutes between Andorra la Valley and Soldeu.

Although the resort is a winter resort, the temperature here does not drop below -2°C, and more often it is above zero. The situation is saved by numerous snow cannons that keep the track in excellent condition.

In the main square in Canillo there is an ice skating rink with skate rentals. Nearby there is a solarium, disco, sauna and swimming pool. Like throughout Andorra, there are also many restaurants here that offer treats for every taste.

In addition to these popular resorts, you can also visit other, no less interesting villages where the tourism business is in full bloom. These are Escaldes, Pas de la Casa, Ordino Arcalis, and others.

The Principality of Andorra annually welcomes many tourists from all over the world. Its ski resorts, tempting cuisine, interesting sights, memorable culture, territorial proximity to France and Spain, and duty-free shopping have become not only a great option for tourists, but also a great opportunity for the principality itself, because tourism brings excellent income to its treasury. Concerning winter holiday, then further the attention of tourists is presented the best ski resorts in Andorra.

1. Andorra la Vella

This place has not only become the most popular ski center in Andorra, but is also the capital of a small principality. The famous healing climate of Andorra la Vella, coupled with heavy winter snowfalls, will give tourists great opportunity enjoy the local ski slopes and picturesque nature throughout your holiday. After mastering the mountain slopes, guests of Andorra la Vella are invited to stroll around the city with its duty-free shopping - a countless number of all kinds of shops, salons and boutiques. Also, the capital of the principality offers the opportunity to experience the variety of cultural attractions of the city, visit health centers and enjoy walks along the snow-covered streets.

Among the number of famous ski resorts in Andorra and Pas de la Casa, it is the oldest of the others existing today in the principality. Moreover, he has greatest length ski slopes (100 km) and highest points mountain ranges, compared to other resorts in Andorra. Pas de la casa - perfect place for extreme skiing: here tourists will find many “black” slopes and an exciting snow park. But not only extreme sports lovers will find their refuge at this resort; an excellent option for families with children will be the ski garden, where the whole family can go skiing (even with kids from three years old). The city also offers a variety of entertainment options, comfortable hotels, cafes and bars.

One of the most developed ski resorts in Andorra is Encamp. Its well-developed infrastructure includes a wide variety of museums, restaurants and cafes, shops and salons, a fitness center with two swimming pools, a gym, a billiard room, a ping-pong area, a massage parlor and more. The main cable car leads to the mountain peak, from which you can access any slopes and pistes of the resort. And along the way to the top there are several training centers and schools where beginner skiers and snowboarders can learn the basics of skiing, with special coaches and instructors helping them with this. The advantage of staying in Encamp is its inexpensive hotels and inns.

4. Soldeu - El Tarter

The relatively young, but incredibly popular ski center of Sodleu - El Tarter is winning the hearts of tourists with its innovations - the resort is developing faster than others in Andorra. The total length of ski slopes here exceeds two hundred kilometers. Most slopes require “average” skiing skills, but there are also over two dozen “black” slopes, which also attracts extreme sports enthusiasts. Sodileu and El Tarter are a real haven for those who live for skiing, and not just come to ski and try the snow. Here you can find several theme parks (freestyle and snow, as well as border track), there are even evening ones. But they haven’t forgotten about beginners either - anyone can take lessons at the training school.

The beautiful nature and picturesque landscapes of the La Massana ski resort, located at the end of the mountain slope, attract all lovers of a calm and measured holiday to this city. In addition, La Massana is located just a few kilometers from the capital of Andorra, and this, in turn, means that after enjoying the splendor of nature, you can go on a “revelry” through the rich infrastructure of the first city of the principality. But in La Massana you can find what you want - sports centers, a variety of restaurants and cafes with cuisine for every taste, many shops - and then go to relax in any of the cozy hotels in this city.

6. Vallnord

Vallnord includes two Andorran ski resorts - Pal-Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalis, the contrast of which will give guests of the principality an ocean of unforgettable impressions. Pal Arinsal is located in a valley at the foot of the mountain ranges, while Ordino Arcalis rises on a mountain plateau. Thus, Vallnord has gained popularity among skiers due to its altitude difference on its slopes. The peculiarity of this place is not just the presence of “black” slopes, but dizzying descents that have acquired the title of puzzling. But both beginner skiers and those who have just decided to step on the snow for the first time will find a wide selection of simple trails and slopes.

ANEX Tour expert on the features of trails and resorts

The ski slopes of Andorra will be of particular interest to Russians this season - holidays will cost less than in the Alps, and the quality of the slopes will surprise even the most experienced skiers. What travel agents should know about these slopes, shares information , head of areas Spain, Andorra, Mexico company.

Let's imagine: a tourist comes to a travel agency wanting to buy a ski tour to a European resort. He wants to try something new, or is interested in buying an inexpensive tour - cheaper than to France or Austria. I believe that the ski resorts of the Principality of Andorra, bordering France and Spain, would be an excellent alternative. The quality of the local trails is beyond praise, and a week-long tour for two can be purchased for only 638 euros. Tourists will also not have any problems with transportation, thanks to our charter program, and ANEX Tour’s own office in Barcelona is responsible for the accommodation and reception of tourists.

Who and where?

Now let's figure out what are the advantages of the slopes and pistes of the Andorran ski resorts. The principality has two main ski areas: Vallnord in the west and Grandvalira in the east. In terms of the level of hotel facilities and the availability of entertainment, they are equivalent. If we talk about skiing, then advanced amateurs and professionals will especially like Grandvalira: 55 of the most difficult trails of the “red” and “black” levels are concentrated here. It is better for beginners to pay attention to the Vallnord region, and tourists with an average level of training can be sent to any of these resorts.

Difficult means interesting

First, let's look at the slopes and pistes of the Grandvalira region, which includes the resorts of El Tarter, Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig. This is the largest ski area in the Pyrenees: on an area of ​​1926 hectares, 118 different slopes have been built, with a length of 210 kilometers. Grandvalira is a valley in which six ski sectors are connected: Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Encamp and Canillo. At the top there are high-mountain slopes of any difficulty level, and at the bottom there are forest trails protected from the wind. In total, there are 21 “green” tracks, 42 “blue”, 30 “red” and 25 “black”. All trails are well marked and perfectly groomed, dangerous areas are fenced with a net. I note that in the Grandvalira ski area there are 64 lifts, which are covered by a single ski pass.

For experienced skiers, I would especially recommend the slopes of the Pas de la Cassa - Grau Roig resort. In the upper part of the valley there are routes with a large difference in elevation, which are considered the most difficult and, therefore, interesting. But Grandvalira also has something to offer for beginners - seven ski schools are open for them in the Soldeu-El Tarter area.

I would also like to say a few words about the region’s children’s slopes: little skiers have three thematic zones at their disposal. For example, the Bababoom Circus tracks in El Tarter are designed in a circus style. And the Mon(t)Magic family park in the Canillo sector will introduce children to the legends of Andorra.

Unusual terrain, rocks and competitions

Now let's move on to the features of skiing in the second ski cluster of Andorra - Vallnord. The single ski area here consists of the Pal-Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalis ski stations. The resorts located in Pal-Arinsal offer their guests 42 trails of varying difficulty levels: there are 7 “green”, 15 “blue”, 16 “red” and 4 “black” trails. In addition, today Pal-Arinsal is the only complex in the Pyrenees equipped with the most modern indoor lift - a telecable.

The second station - Ordino-Arcalis - is represented by routes of medium difficulty level with good snow cover. They are suitable for both experienced skiers and beginners. I would especially like to highlight the conditions for snowboarding. And, although the resort has fewer marked trails, they have more interesting terrain. All lovers of extreme sports and alpine exotics will like it here: the descents are quite steep, the lower sections pass through forest clearings. I would also like to emphasize that Arcalis is a “Mecca of freeride”, due to the elevation changes and steep slopes, skiing here is truly exciting. This is also why on the slopes of Arcalis, sporting events international level.

In conclusion, I would like to summarize the advantages of skiing in the ski resorts of Andorra, which are offered byAnexTour.

A large number of high-quality, safe trails with a total length of about 300 kilometers. Slopes for all skill levels.
- Special slopes and theme parks for children. The resorts operate kindergartens and nurseries for children from one year old.
- Dozens of schools for teaching snowboarding and skiing alpine skiing, Russian-speaking instructors. Developed infrastructure.
- ANEX Tour has opened an office in Barcelona, ​​which provides profitable contracts with hotels in Andorra and customer service throughout the trip.
- Own charter program: flights twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.