Ski areas in Andorra

Best ski areas in Andorra

Andorra is a quiet gem that sits between the bottom of France and the top of Spain. This is a fantastic place to ski that people often don’t consider.

With duty free shopping, the perfect blend of French and Spanish cuisine and ski runs to talk about - it’s worth adding Andorra to your ski bucket list.

There are 2 particular ski areas in Andorra that are worth talking about due to their good altitudes, well established lift connections and variety of slopes - Grandvalira and Pal-Arinsal.

Best Andorran ski areas

Grandvalira super-ski area - best for beginners

Ski area

•  - Grandvalira super-ski 210km
• Resorts - Soldeu and Pas de la Casa
• Length of blue runs - 100km
• Length of red runs - 82km
• Length of black runs - 33km
• Snowparks - 3

Inghams top tip - Stop off at Andorra’s capital city, Andorra la Vella to visit over 400 shops for duty free shopping. 

The area:

Grandvalira ski area sits within the Pyrenees mountains, with most resorts looking out and up to the peaks. It’s definitely worth a visit if impressive views are part of your dream skiing holiday.

It is also known for its vast variety of dining options - everything from fine-dining, mountain huts to fast-food restaurants. There are over 60 mountain top restaurants which are a must try, for the food but also the views.

Andorra itself has a unique history - the small country became independent in the 9th century and still shows a lot of Roman influence which you can see in its many churches and sanctuaries.

The small villages of the Grandvalira area; now all well connected, are great for duty free shopping and are considered luxury places to stay and visit.

The skiing:

The Grandvalira is a vast ski area with 76 modern and speedy lifts and gondolas. It is the largest skiable area on the Iberian peninsula and is now one of the world's 30 biggest ski resorts, hosting 3 World Cup slopes.

Known as one of the planet’s biggest and most modern snow-makers with more than half of its terrain covered by 1,000 snow cannons, you know there will be snow on your ski holiday.

Après ski is big here, so the area is popular with party goers, who are maybe there to take ski lessons or build confidence in the mornings and relax with a glass in hand in the afternoons.

Beginners will really like the blue run Tubs in Pas de la Casa as it’s easily accessible from the Solana chairlift and you have lots of space to practice linking your turns or get your skis or board carving.

If you're seeking an adventure, head over to the resort of Ordino-Arcalis. This gem of a resort in Andorra is a freestylers heaven. No matter if you ski or snowboard, you will enjoy over 3km of slopes here. Split into 2 freestyle areas - the first is the perfect place for those new to un-pisted slopes as it's designed for learners and the 2nd a bit more extensive, for those who enjoy a challenge. 

Highlighted resort of Grandvalira:

Pas de la Casa resort is set at an altitude of over 2000m. It's a bustling town close to the French border so you will find this influence throughout, from the buildings, food and drinks.

Hotels are the best places to stay in Pas de la Casa, with a good selection to choose from and popular amongst returning skiers. As mentioned, the area is big on après ski and there are plenty of bars to choose from in Pas de la Casa, known for being party central to the Grandvalira ski area.

Pal-Arinsal ski area - best for intermediates

• Ski area - Pal-Arinsal 63kim
• Resorts - Arinsal
• Length of blue runs - 31km
• Length of red runs - 24km
• Length of black runs - 8km
• Snowparks - 2

Inghams top tip - Spend some down time in the Capa area, whose steep slopes host the Vertical Race World Cup and watch as skiers and boarders alike try this challenge. 

The area:

Due to its close connections with Spain, Tapas food is huge here and you will find a version (sometimes with an Andorran twist) in most restaurants and cafes - ideally if you are visiting as a group of family.

The capital city, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital in Europe, sitting at 1,023 metres above sea level. It’s the Milan of Andorra - with duty free, designer shops, 5 star hotels and fine dining. Definitely worth a day trip if you have the time.

Though après is still featured here, Arinsal has a more family friendly atmosphere where the local eateries welcome you in, ski-schools are apt in English and there are plenty of in resort activities outside of skiing.

The skiing:

Pal-Arinsal has a good variety of slopes with something for all abilities. Arinsal boasts the highest vertical drop run with more than 3,000 ft of non-stop on-piste descent from top to bottom from the top of Pic Alt de la Capa.

Over 70% of the Vallnord area is blue and red runs so intermediate skiers and snowboarders thrive here. For a family or group of strong skiers, then El Col is a really good run to try and perfect as it offers a mix of challenge and enjoyment.

Highlighted resort of Pal-Arinsal:

Arinsal is perfect to suit anyone's taste when it comes to hotel choice. From the Princesa Parc Excellence Hotel that offers a lively bar, a la carte menu, 5* interiors and service which sets the mood on a couples holiday. Or the Hotel Princesa Parc & Spa which is the ideal place for you to stay with your family - the hotel has T-pin bowling lanes, pool tables, a games room, a selection of bars and free Wi-Fi.

Most hotels are an easy walk or bus ride into the town centre where you will find a mix of shops, restaurants and bars.