Whether you’re a seasoned off-piste explorer, a mixed-ability family group, or a bunch of party people who excel at après-ski, Andorra has something for you. This small country has some seriously big skiing (and parties), but it’s often overlooked in favour of Alpine alternatives. Apart from those skiers in the know, that is. It’s the backcountry and freeride terrain that we’re especially intrigued by, as well as the unpretentious, multicultural vibe that’s uniquely Pyrenean.
Here we bust some myths and take a closer look at what Andorra’s got to offer.
The ski areas
There are four resorts that make up Grandvalira Resorts Andorra: Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal, Ordino Arcalís and Naturland. There are 300km of pistes across the whole domain and one ski pass gives access to all of them. Here’s the lowdown of what you can expect in each one:
Grandvalira
Size: Andorra’s largest ski area and the biggest in Southern Europe, offering 215km of slopes across seven interconnected sectors: Canillo, Soldeu, Pas de la Casa, Encamp, El Tarter, Peretol, and Grau Roig.
Best for: From groomed runs for all abilities to patrolled freeride zones, there’s terrain for everyone with a super-efficient lift system capable of transporting 100,000 skiers per hour. Après-ski hotspots like L’Abarset in El Tarter’s town centre are a hit with partygoers.
Pal Arinsal
Size: 63km of slopes across two sectors, Pal and Arinsal, connected by cable car.
Best for: Perfect for families, mixed groups, and beginners with wide, gentle nursery slopes, tree-lined runs, and a snowpark for those in search of airtime. The beginner area at Arinsal is a particular draw for novice groups, as its high altitude means everyone gets to experience the best snow.
Ordino Arcalís
Size: 30.5km of slopes with extensive accessible off piste terrain.
Best for: A mecca for freeride enthusiasts, with 20 patrolled freeride zones and access to dozens of hikeable lines. The resort has been a Freeride World Tour stop since 2015 and it’s also an excellent launchpad for backcountry tours. It has the most Alpine feel of the three ski zones and with majority north-facing slopes, tends to hold the best snow.
Naturland
Size: Nordic ski resort with 15km of trails for all levels.
Best for: If you’re keen to combine some family friendly fun with a more serene mountain experience, spend a day at Naturland getting to grips with cross-country skiing. Rev things up in the afternoon with a whizz around the track on the electric moonbikes or snow scooters.
Is Andorra good for families?
Absolutely! Pal Arinsal stands out with its family friendly amenities, including gentle, wide runs for beginners, nursery slopes, and charming mountain town accommodation in nearby la Massana. Meanwhile, Grandvalira’s Canillo sector has the Mon(t) Magic Family Park, with a range of slopes and obstacle courses that skiers young and old will enjoy exploring. Off-slope options, like snowshoeing, dog sledding, and spa facilities at Caldea (even with a dedicated kids’ spa, make Andorra a fantastic destination for family trips.
Is Andorra a good place for shopping?
Yes! From upscale luxury boutiques to local artisan shops, Andorra’s shopping really is all it’s cracked up to be. Shops are open 361 days a year, typically until late, and even on Sundays, so there’s plenty of time to squeeze in a spree in between skiing.
Does Andorra’s off-piste live up to the hype?
For sure! There are plenty of hikeable lines from the lifts (and dozens of patrolled freeride zones to help you find your feet), but we’d recommend you pack your skins to really experience the Pyrenean wilderness. Mountain huts a plenty, there’s some serious backcountry exploring available here, with the highest summits topping out at almost 3,000m. In fact, 90% of Andorra is pure wilderness, so you can expect to get that proper far-out feel on any backcountry adventure. Check out this story on our sister site Fall Line Skiing: fall-line.co.uk/tales-of-the-unexpected/
Is Andorra really a good place to party?
Vibrant, affordable and concentrated into pockets, the party scene in Andorra is thriving (without causing too much bother to anyone keen to stick to quieter corners). The legendary L’Abarset in El Tarter is a must visit, hosting international DJs and outdoor dance parties, while Pas de la Casa buzzes with lively pubs like Paddy’s Irish Bar.
Does Andorra have any decent spas?
Yep, you can get some good spa-time in Andorra, no problem. The Caldea spa, the largest thermal spa in Southern Europe, is a particular hotspot. You can soak in the warm thermal waters of its lagoon pools, Indo-Roman baths and jacuzzis (ideal for some post-ski R&R), and if you need an extra hit of heat, head for the saunas and hammam too. Kids are even welcome!
To find out more and to book your trip go to visitandorra.com and @andorraworld.
Add Comment