Grandvalira ski resort in Andorra, photo by Canon (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr.
Nestled between the Spanish and French borders, just a three-hour drive from Barcelona, lies the principality of Andorra. This land of high mountains and narrow valleys boasts the best ski slopes in the Pyrenees and a number of resorts that cater to all levels. Formerly small mountain villages, these resorts have seen huge growth thanks to ski tourism and have joined together in recent years to form two large skiing areas—Grandvalira and Pal-Arinsal. The ski season in Andorra usually begins in late November and ends in mid April (subject to snow and weather conditions).
Grandvalira
The area of Grandvalira covers 1,926 hectares and is divided into six different sectors, the main ones being Pas de la Casa, El Tarter and Soldeu. An efficient lift system transports skiers and snowboarders around the area’s 215 kilometers of slopes—the largest skiable domain in the Pyrenees—and artificial snow guarantees that more than 60 percent of the area is covered throughout the winter.
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Pas de la Casa, Andorra, photo by Carles Mari (CC-BY-3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
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Pas de la Casa, Andorra.
Pas de la Casa
Right on the French border, Pas de la Casa sits at an altitude of 2,050 meters, with the highest lift reaching 2,640 meters, making this the highest resort in Andorra. Thanks to its unbeatable location, it enjoys excellent snow throughout the season. The slopes cater very well to beginners and aspiring intermediates and, for those looking for more of a challenge, there are also a few feisty black runs to be found. The town is lively with a thriving bar scene.
Grau Roig
This is the only sector of Grandvalira that isn’t residential. Grau Roig has just one hotel and a large car park. It’s a great resort for families, as is has three children's circuits and everything is close together. There is a good progression of slopes from beginner to intermediate, and for experienced skiers, there are some fantastic red and black runs. Snowboarders can head to the small board park and half pipe.
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Grau Roig, Andorra.
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Grau Roig, Andorra. Photo by Carlos Delgado (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
Soldeu
Set a on a steep hillside across the valley from the ski area, Soldeu is the best-placed resort to explore Grandvalira. The Soldeu ski area has excellent beginner and intermediate terrain with lots of easy trails to enjoy. The town is set on a busy road, and what it lacks in charm it makes up for in the variety of hotels, apartments, restaurants and shops.
El Tarter
Just 1.5 kilometers along from Soldeu is El Tarter. This ski area is one of the more dynamic sectors and was designed with the most extreme winter sports in mind. If you want to take your skiing or boarding to the next level, the snow park in El Tarter is the perfect place to go. Families will also find a wide range of activities for younger members. Small and quiet, El Tarter town has good accommodation centered around a high-speed gondola and a handful bars and restaurants.
Soldeu village, Andorra.
Canillo
The ski area close to Canillo is one of Andorra’s most beautiful spots and is accessed from the town by gondola. The slopes here are great for families and beginners. Smaller and quieter than Pas de la Casa and Soldeu, Canillo still has a good choice of hotels.
Encamp
Like Canillo, there are no slopes in the town itself. The Funicamp gondola—one of the longest in Europe, at 6.1 kilometers—takes skiers right up to Solanelles, the highest point in the resort and a place of breathtaking views. Encamp is located just five kilometers from the main shopping area of Andorra la Vella.
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View of La Coma, Arcalis, Andorra. Photo by Terence wiki (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
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Arcalis red run from Les Portelles, Andorra. Photo by Terence wiki (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
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View from Arcalis, Andorra. Photo by Terence wiki (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
Pal-Arinsal
Formerly called Vallnord, Pal-Arinsal is now part of Grandvalira Resorts. It covers three main sectors Arinsal and Pal, which are connected by cable car, and the Ordino Arcalís ski area.
Ordino Arcalís
Ordino Arcalís is the smallest ski resort in Andorra, but has the highest base station. Its 1,092 acres of terrain features over 30 kilometers of pistes and a total of 120 kilometers of off-piste possibilities. This resort is well suited to advanced and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. North-facing, with steep slopes and spectacular valleys, it enjoys excellent snow conditions. It also has the longest run in Andorra for beginners—the eight kilometer Megaverde—and some easily-reached free-ride areas.
Where to stay: Ordino is one of Andorra’s prettiest towns, with an old center that has retained its charm despite the influx of tourists.
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Pal Arinsal ski station, Andorra. Photo by Palarsinal (CC-BY-SA-4.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
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Top of Arinsal, Andorra. Photo by Michael Karavanov (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
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Pal skiing zone. Photo by Michael Karavanov (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
Pal Arinsal
Pal and Arinsal form a single resort linked by cable car and they share a single ski pass. The resort's 63 kilometers of skiable slopes are particularly suited to families, beginners and early intermediates. More advanced skiers will get bored very quickly here. The Pal area of the resort is very wooded and green with wide slopes, whereas the Arinsal area has few trees. Snow reliability is assured and piste maintenance is good. Intermediate skiers should go higher, where there are some steep red pistes.
Where to Stay
Arinsal: This is a lively town with lots of bars and restaurants.
Pal: The village of Pal is quiet and picturesque and has escaped much of the development that has taken over other resorts. There’s direct access to the ski area by gondola from the town.
La Massana: Approximately four kilometers from Arinsal, La Massana is also lower key than Arinsal, with just a few bars and a variety of supermarkets, shops and amenities. A gondola runs from the town center up to the Pal ski area.
Caldea is the largest thermal spa in Southern Europe.
Off-Piste
Shopping
Almost as many people head to Andorra to shop as they do to ski. Although the principality has introduced a VAT tax of 4.5%, it’s still much cheaper than its European neighbors (in Spain VAT is 21% on most goods and services), making it a true shopping haven. Duty-free stores are located all over, with the largest concentrations found in the capital and small towns close to the Spanish and French borders. Andorra la Vella is the number one shopping destination, packed with stores and shopping centers selling everything from perfume, jewellery and electronic goods to big-name fashion brands. Pas de la Casa and Escaldes are also popular shopping haunts.
Caldea Spa
Located in the town of Escaldes and boasting over 6,000 square meters of pools, saunas, jacuzzis and treatment spaces, Caldea is Europe’s largest mountain health spa. Fed by mineral-rich thermal waters, which are kept at a constant 32ºC, this is a wonderful way to wind down after a hard day on the mountains. Open every day from 10:00 until 22:00 (and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays). A three-hour general entrance starts at €29.50. You can sign up for additional treatments, from body scrubs to massages.
Other Snow Sports
Andorra is packed with snow activities for non-skiers. At the Grandvalira Mountain Park in Grau Roig and Grandvalira Adventure Center in the El Tarter you can reserve a wide variety of activities. At Pal-Arinsal, Arinsal, Pal and Ordino Arcalís all offer a number of snow sports as well.
Mushing: Enjoy spectacular landscapes while driving a dog sled through the mountains. The sleds seat two people, and you can either take it easy while a guide drives or literally take the reins yourself.
Snowshoes: The art of snowshoeing has been around for thousands of years and is now a fast-growing winter sport. It’s simple, burns a ton of calories, and allows you to take in the breathtaking mountain views at a more leisurely pace.
Snowmobiles: The Pal sector has a permanent circuit for snowmobiles, with a descent through the woods to the Setúria valley.
See grandvalira.com, vallnord.com and caldea.com for more information.
Published January 2015, updated November 4, 2024.