If there is one country where snow is king, it is the Principality of Andorra: in the heart of the powerful mountain range of the Pyrenees, between France and Spain, passes and valleys covered with a white coat welcome all lovers of flakes from December to May. If the ski resorts of Grandvalira (the largest in the Pyrenees), Vallnord Pal-Arinsal and Vallnord Ordino-Arcalis have a total of more than 300 km of slopes at all levels, Andorra has much more to offer in terms of snow activities. Whatever your desires, your age and your level, whether you are with friends, as a couple or with family, you will certainly find your happiness. For example, you can think of yourself as an Eskimo by making your way through the thick coat of immaculate snow, sitting well in a sled pulled by a horde of dogs, while enjoying the scenery, before learning the basics of igloo building, guided by professionals in the discipline. Families will try hiking in the mountains with snowshoes, while contemplative spirits will take a little height in a helicopter to enjoy the beauty of the land from the sky. The most sporty will be able to ride the solid Fat Bikes in Naturlàndia, these electric bicycles designed to ride in the snow at an altitude of 2,000 metres, while sliding enthusiasts will be able to go to the Palau de Gel, the vast and unique Andorran ice rink where you can perfect your triple loots! One thing is for sure, with so much snow, it will be very difficult not to find something to do!
In the shoes of an Eskimo
Have you always dreamed of taking the path of the mountains like an Inuit? To cross vast areas covered with snow, pulled by a pack of sled dogs? In this case, go to the Grandvalira alpine ski resort, straddling the parishes of Encamp and Canillo, to try your hand at "mushing", the practice of travelling in a snow sled pulled by a dog team. This unforgettable experience will allow you to explore the spectacular Andorran high mountain trails, carried by a pleasant feeling of calm. The circuits adapted to mushing are those of Riba Escorxada (in the Grandvalira-El Tarter area) and the Granvalira-Grau Roig adventure centre. The walk of about 1h30 is provided by a guide who will explain to you how the animals train, and will even give you the reins of the sled! It should be noted here that the Domaine du Vallés Oriental offers one-day activity packages, such as the "Aventura Nórdica" experience, combining mushing and an hour of snowmobiling! Recently, it has also become possible to experiment in Grandvalira with this Nordic technique called Ski joëring, a variant of mushing consisting of being pulled on skis by an animal team: dogs, horses or pony!
But the adventure as an Eskimo does not end there: it is now a matter of rolling up your sleeves and building an igloo! On your way to Grandvalira-Grau Roig's Moutain Park, you will be welcomed by experts in snow architecture, who will teach you the history of these extreme dwellings while guiding you through the construction of your own igloo. If there are two techniques - one consisting in superimposing previously cut ice blocks, the other by compacting snow - the latter is the most commonly used, and this is the one you can experience in Andorra, because of the type of snow found here. The activity takes about 1h30: a balloon is placed in the centre of the future igloo, on which a thick layer of snow is placed in order to make the structure solid and compact. Once the snow has solidified, the balloon is removed to make the final adjustments, just to give your ice work a little more style!
The last step in your training as a snowman will be snowshoeing! Accessible to all levels and all ages (children are welcome), this activity requires no prior training and can be done with or without a guide. There are indeed not far from 30 itineraries throughout Andorra: from the Vallnord-Ordino Arcalís resort or in the Setúria area of the Vallnord-Pal Arinsal resort (Pal sector), from El Forn (in Grandvalira-Canillo) or the Grandvalira-Grau Roig adventure centre, not to mention the sumptuous snowshoe circuits of Rabassa, at Naturlàndia Park. The walks can last from one hour to all day, according to your wishes.
With such training in mushing, igloo building and snowshoeing, you are ready to attack the Great North!
Higher than the mountains
What better way to enjoy the beauty of the Andorran mountains than to take a little height? Wherever you are in the country, you will have the opportunity to experience a sensational panoramic flight, comfortably seated in a helicopter, with a breathtaking view of the snow-covered Pyrenean passes. The aerial tour lasts about 10 minutes and is planned for a minimum of 4 people, to be organised from all sectors of the resorts of Grandvalira, Vallnord-Ordino Arcalís and Vallnord-Pal Arinsal, but also from other regions of the Principality. Certainly one of the most impressive activities to plan, for the whole family!
The thrill seekers will not be left out! If it is called Heli-experience in Vallnord and Heliski in Grandvalira, the proposed activity promises the same concentration of adrenaline to experienced skiers. The principle is simple: a group of skiers - 8 people maximum - board a helicopter and it drops them off in a mountain area inaccessible via the lifts, before engaging in exciting freeride descents, i. e. off-piste, on unmarked mountain slopes. The activity generally includes two helicopter climbs, and therefore two descents, supervised by a specialized guide in charge of checking the weather conditions and ensuring the safety of the skiers. A breath of adrenaline that speed freaks will certainly not live without!
There's going to be sports!
In another register, closer to mountain hiking, we can go for a walk on the snow by riding... a bike! But be careful, not just any bike: in Naturlàndia, in the south of the Principality of Andorra, it is indeed possible to take an excursion on the magnificent paths of La Rabassa, winding at an altitude of 2,000 metres, riding Fat Bikes electric bicycles, equipped with wheels adapted to snow and an electric motor, making it much easier to hit the pedals. Here again, whatever your level of proficiency, you will be guided and accompanied by instructors who will give you all the necessary advice to master the machine, which is quite easy to handle. The walk in the heart of the snow-covered forests is superb and gives you the opportunity to see sublime and serene landscapes.
Finally, it is in Canillo that the skating enthusiasts will go to perfect their half-lutz and toe loop, and more precisely at the Palau de Gel, the one and only ice rink - Olympic! - of the Principality. In addition to ice skating, the structure offers many other activities: hockey, broomball and karting on ice! At nightfall, you can also try the delicate art of curling or organize a football game. And to end the day, a tour through the service room of the very good Tapika's restaurant seems appropriate: a solid meal of traditional Andorran cuisine awaits you! Something to whet your appetite while waiting for the next episode of this series on Andorra: we will then present you all the gastronomic richness of the Principality!
More information on the Andorra Turisme website and on the Andorra Turisme Facebook page.
