Skiing in Andorra

A large number of people travel every year to ski in Andorra. The privileged situation of this small state in the Pyrenees mountains and with an average altitude of almost two thousand meters makes it a perfect destination for all kinds of winter sports like snowboarding, sledding or skiing itself in all its variations.

If to this we add a wonderful nature, a good heritage of Romanesque monuments and an architecture that has managed to preserve the traditional, we have a perfect destination to enjoy a few days of vacation. In addition to skiing in Andorra, you can also take advantage of your visit to shop for products that are cheaper in the small Principality. In any case, we are going to focus on explaining where you can do your favorite sport.

Three ski resorts in Andorra

A white blanket covers the entire Principality of Andorra in winter. This translates into more than three hundred kilometers of ski slopes spread over three stations that have all the additional services such as accommodation, restaurants and places to park your vehicle. Let's get to know them.

Grandvalira

It is the largest in the small state and also in the entire Iberian Peninsula. You will find it in the mountains that make up the Valira river valley and it has 138 tracks that together have an extension of 210 kilometers. It is divided into seven sectors: Soldeu, Canillo, Pas de la Casa, Encamp, Peretol, El Tarter and Grau Roig.

Several complete the station Hotels and restaurants, nurseries and routes for children, a reservation center and a material rental point. Their season begins in early December and normally ends in mid-April. However, weather permitting, it remains open until May.

Take advantage of your visit to Grandvalira to know the Romanesque church of Sant Joan de Caselles, sanctuary of Our Lady of Meritxell, patron saint of Andorra and the rock engravings of the Bronze Age located in the Rock of the Bruixes.

Vallnord-Pal Arinsal

Smaller than the previous one, it has 63 kilometers of slopes that will allow you to practice not only the different types of skiing, but also snowboarding and other snow sports. You will find it in the La Massana valley and is divided into two sectors: Pal and Arinsal, which are connected by a cableway from which you will see wonderful landscapes of the Pyrenees.

It also offers you hotels, restaurants and children's areas. In addition, if you travel with people who do not know how to ski, it offers a wide program of activities for them. For example, snowmobiling or hiking trails.

The station remains open all year. From December to April to ski and from May to October to do other mountain sports while visiting interesting places in La Massana such as the Romanesque church of San Clemente or Casa Rull Ethnographic Museum.

Ordino Arcalis

With its 30,5 kilometers of slopes, it is the smallest ski resort in Andorra. However, its orientation to the north provides a excellent snow quality. In addition, it organizes every year international off-piste ski competitions, which has made it famous throughout Europe.

The station opens to the public in December and closes its facilities at the end of April. Also, like the previous ones, it offers you accommodation and restaurants with all the comforts.

You can also take advantage of your visit to Ordino to know the Romanesque church of San Martín de la Cortinada, Baroque chapel of Casa Rosell and the curious Areny-Plandolit House Museum, where you will see what life was like for an aristocratic family in the area in the XNUMXth century and some beautiful gardens.

Other areas to ski in Andorra

Along with these three stations, the small peninsular state has two other areas for skiing. The snow field of La Rabassa It is located in the ecopark of Naturlandia and is intended for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. To do this, it puts at your disposal a total of 15 kilometers of slopes.

For its part, The Cannaro It is an area with slopes for beginners. Next to them, it has a ski and snowboard school. Also, if you don't want to ski, it also has restaurants and bars with a terrace as well as a hotel.

What are the best months to ski in Andorra?

The climate in Andorra is of type mountainous mediterranean. So winters are cold, with temperatures that easily drop below zero degrees. Precipitation in the form of snow is also very frequent, which is always beneficial for the ski resorts to have good conditions.

For all these reasons, the best month to ski in Andorra is in February. The snow is abundant and of better quality. You can also go to late January. However, keep in mind that these dates are considered the high season in the area and therefore the prices may be somewhat more expensive.

How to get to Andorra

Since you are going to go to Andorra to ski, you will have to bring your equipment and the best way to do it is in your private car. The access road from Spain is the N-145, which enters the small state from the south.
Later, in Andorra la Vieja, the CG-3 It will take you to both Vallnord and Ordino. Instead, to get to Grandvalira you must follow the road CG-2.

On the other hand, the Pyrenean state lacks an airport and a railway station. Therefore, the other option to go skiing to Andorra is the bus. You have regular lines from all the Catalan capitals and also from other cities. They arrive in the Andorran capital, which means that later you will have to go to the ski resorts.

However, these are also connected with Andorra la Vieja by different bus lines, some of which are free. In addition, from La Massana you have the cableway which we have already told you about and that takes you to Pal Arinsal.

In conclusion, skiing in Andorra it's really wonderful. The small Pyrenean state has all the qualities to do so: three magnificent stations, abundant and quality snow and excellent infrastructure for both accommodation and restaurants. If you like skiing, don't hesitate to travel to Andorra.