The story of an Andorran passion
In 1929, inspired by the ingenuity of the Soldeu letter carrier, the first ski traverse between Soldeu and Pas de la Casa was organized. Two years later, three young Andorrans decided to try out the principality's very first real ski slope, in the Vall d'Incles, albeit with a slight obstacle: in 1931, ski lifts had not yet been invented, forcing them to go up the slope... on foot! Nevertheless, skiing began to take off in the small country, so much so that the Ski Club Andorra was founded in 1932 and the very first ski championship between Andorrans, Spaniards and French was organized in 1935 in Envalira. This new activity was so popular that the following year a rail service called "Train Blanc" was set up, providing regular transport for skiers between Paris and the Andorran valleys. The Spanish Civil War, followed by the Second World War, put the brakes on Andorrans' burgeoning enthusiasm for this new white sport: during this long period, skis were used more for practical purposes, such as fetching supplies from France. Despite the conflicts, the first Andorran ski lift was inaugurated on the Grau Roig road, transporting skiers to the Envalira refuge. In 1946, Pyrenean ski competitions began again, almost clandestinely. Andorran skiers soon excelled in competitions, as Francesc Viladomat did, winning his first Spanish championship in 1950.
The athlete took advantage of his fame and became a businessman, commissioning the construction of ski lifts, starting with the Coll Blanc (Pas-de-la-Case) lift, commissioned in 1956 and powered by a truck engine. This first-ever ski lift was capable of taking around 450 skiers per hour to the summit. He also took up the challenge of making the Pas-de-la-Case accessible to French skiers by regularly clearing the Envalira road, previously inaccessible in winter, made possible by the Andreu Claret policy in 1958. Gradually, the Pas de la Casa facilities came to merge with those of the Grau Roig area. In December 1986, the Pas-de-la-Case - Grau Roig resort was the first to be equipped with snow cannons. The Principality's second ski resort (still to the east) was also founded by ski enthusiasts. Miquel Baró, Josep Torrallardona and Martí Salvans worked hand in hand to build the first chairlift at the foot of Soldeu, in Els Espiolets. By February 1964, the tourist boom was in full swing and the country's prosperity in all areas was on the increase. In 1981, the resort was enlarged with the Riba Escorxada sector, linking Soldeu to the Tarter area, to become Soldeu-El Tarter. Much later, in 2003, the facilities of this resort joined those of the Pas de la Casa - Grau Roig resort, giving rise to what is now known as the Grandvalira ski area! At the same time, a third Andorran ski resort was opened in 1972, this time in the country's western valleys: Arinsal. The Pal area was opened in 1982, and the Ordino-Arcalis area in 1983, offering skiers two new ski areas. Since 2022, the two ski areas have been grouped under the Grandvalira Resorts Andorra brand.
Four areas
In the almost one hundred years since the first pair of skis arrived in the Andorran valleys, the development of the ski area has been exemplary: today, 318 km of pistes and almost 1,500 snow cannons ensure excellent skiing conditions in all the resorts of the principality which, with a territory of just 468 km², holds the world record for the number of mechanical installations in relation to the number of inhabitants in the country! So much so that Andorra has become one of the leading ski destinations in the Pyrenees, equally suited to hardcore skiers hurtling down the slopes at lightning speed, to beginners, and to contemplative cross-country skiers, criss-crossing the passes and valleys at a leisurely pace.
Grandvalira Resorts Andorra is the largest and most modern ski area in the Pyrenees, and its 303 km of pistes make it one of the largest in Europe. The story of Grandvalira Resorts began in 1956, with the installation of the first lift. Since then, Andorra's snow-covered mountains and stunning scenery, coupled with mild temperatures and many sunny days in winter, have attracted thousands of visitors to Andorra every year. Today, Grandvalira Resorts' three resorts (Ordino Arcalís, Pal Arinsal and Grandvalira) guarantee snow on over 60% of the skiable area, boast excellent ski and snowboard schools, a wide choice of activities, services tailored to the needs of all guests, and a surprisingly varied gastronomic offering.
In the eastern part of Andorra, straddling the parishes of Canillo and Encamp, Grandvalira is the largest alpine ski resort in Andorra and the Pyrenees. The ski area alone boasts 210 kilometers of slopes divided into several levels of difficulty. There are 24 green runs, 54 blue runs, 42 red runs and 18 black runs, grouped into 7 easily accessible sectors: Pas-de-la-Case, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo, Encamp and Peretol. The entire Grandvalira area is very well equipped in terms of infrastructure and services, with equipment rental points and schools, relaxation areas with free wifi access and restaurant-bars offering good, affordable mountain cuisine.
Towards the north of Andorra, the ski areas of Pal-Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalís present themselves as human-sized resorts ideal for peaceful skiing. These two historic resorts are well integrated into exceptional landscapes and beautiful valleys. Both offer a full and varied range of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed during the summer months, when the snows recede. The medium-sized Pal-Arinsal ski area (63 km of runs) is ideal for beginners, but also for more experienced skiers looking for a more leisurely outing. In summer, there's an excellent range of outdoor activities (downhill mountain biking, hiking, accrobranche, bike parks, etc.). Many international events are held in this area. The Ordino-Arcalís ski area is the smallest (30 km of pistes). Very picturesque, it is nestled in a beautiful valley and is ideal for freeriders.
Although the Naturland ski area has no downhill slopes, it is the only area in the country where you can enjoy Nordic (or cross-country) skiing. There's a rental center for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing equipment, as well as 15 km of trails (two green, one blue and one red) winding through the Rabassa pine forest. Naturland not only boasts a fine restaurant serving typical Pyrenean cuisine, but also unique family-friendly facilities such as toboggan runs and the famous Tobotronc: the world's longest alpine slide at 5.3 km!
Skiing, but not only!
Snowboard aficionados can perfect their style at Grandvalira's Freeride Area and Snow Park. And if you'd like to go beyond the classic winter sports disciplines of alpine, Nordic and freeride skiing, Andorra's resorts have plenty to offer, from snowbiking, snowmobiling and snowshoeing to more modern activities such as airboarding and snowsnaking! The airboard is a small inflatable mattress that lets you hurtle down the slopes in a prone position at breathtaking speed, while the snowsnake consists of an assembly of sleds fixed together, allowing several people to descend the snowy slopes! The snowbike, meanwhile, is a bold fusion of bicycle and ski, providing both downhill and sliding sensations, to which some may prefer the powerful engine of the snowmobile. More leisurely, but no less sporty, is the Vivac arcalís Experience by North Face excursion, organized by the Ordino-Arcalis resort, offering the chance to climb the Creussans peak (2,679 m) or the Tristaina peak (2,879 m) on snowshoes or cross-country skis, accompanied by a mountain guide. Once at the summit, camp is set up for dinner by the fire, under the sumptuous canopy of stars. All that's left to do is wait for the magical dawn...
At Grandvalira, you can slip into the skin of an Eskimo! The resort offers the chance to try your hand at mushing, the practice of riding on a snow sled pulled by a team of dogs (and recently also by a team of horses). Take to the trails at Riba Escorxada or the Granvalira-Grau Roig adventure center, and enjoy the scenery at your leisure. At the Moutain Park in Grandvalira-Grau Roig, you can take your adventure as far as building an igloo by compacting snow. Finally, to perfect your Inuit skills, take one of Andorra's 30 snowshoeing itineraries: from the Ordino Arcalís resort or in the Setúria area of the Pal Arinsal resort (Pal sector), from El Forn (in Grandvalira-Canillo) or from the Grandvalira-Grau Roig adventure center, not forgetting the sumptuous Rabassa snowshoe circuits in the Naturland park.
In addition to speed-riding, which combines paragliding and high-mountain skiing, thrill-seekers can try the Héliexpérience or Héliski at Grandvalira (for experienced skiers). What's involved? A group of skiers - up to a maximum of 8 people - is taken aboard a helicopter and dropped off in an area inaccessible to ski lifts, where they can enjoy exciting freeride descents on unmarked slopes. A real adrenalin rush! Ice diving in mountain lakes is another new trend, for unique adventures, with the possibility of night diving baptisms. Thrills guaranteed! Finally, skating fanatics can head to Canillo to hone their half-lutz and loop piquée, at the Palau de Gel, the Principality's one and only - Olympic! - in the Principality. In addition to ice skating, the facility offers a host of other activities, including field hockey, broomball, curling and go-karting! And let's not forget that in the valley, in the mid and high mountains, the spectacular scenery can also be discovered in summer! From May to October, you can enjoy them by various means - on foot, by bike, on quad or on horseback - on circuits that are more or less easy to access. The more intrepid can even enjoy more extreme sports, such as mountain biking, scuba diving at altitude or rock climbing, as the principality is home to a number of vias ferratas.
