It may be one of the smallest countries in the world, but Andorra is famous across the planet among ski enthusiasts and boasts an excellent reputation. That’s because the Andorra ski experience is absolutely spectacular, with its pristine landscapes, powdery snow, world-class ski resorts and friendly hospitality.
Here, in this blog post, we’ll outline in greater detail where exactly the best ski holiday Andorra destinations are within the microstate, from Grandvalira to Ordino Arcalís to Pal Arinsal. Each of these resorts offers something unique, so that you can ski Andorra exactly the way you like.
Where to go skiing in Andorra?
The great thing about Andorra’s geography is that the entire country is mountainous and at altitude. Andorra has an average elevation of 1,996m, while even its lowest point is at 840m. With snow levels high during the winter months, this creates optimal conditions to go ski Andorra, no matter which corner you want to visit.
Still, each Andorra ski resort has its own unique characteristics and we’ll go through those below.
Grandvalira
There are several Andorra ski resorts worth checking out, and one of the first that you’ll hear about is Grandvalira, given that it is the largest ski resort in the entire Pyrenees Mountain Range. It is also, therefore, the largest ski resort Andorra has, with over 200 kilometres of skiable terrain in this one site.
Although there is a long skiing tradition in this part of Andorra, the Grandvalira resort’s history is quite recent. It was in 2003 that this resort was founded, when the Pas de la Casa - Grau Roig resort, founded in 1956, and the Soldeu El Tarter resort, founded in 1964, merged together. Over the 21st century, Grandvalira has become one of the largest ski complexes in all of Europe, offering a rich variety of terrain and, of course, a series of different ski resort Andorra packages to suit all needs.
Ordino
Another of the best ski resorts Andorra has to offer is Ordino Arcalís, located in the parish of the same name, Ordino. The ski resort became part of Grandvalira Resorts Andorra in 2018, but was already known by skiers from far and wide as being one of the ultimate European skiing destinations, having developed a proud reputation since it was created by local residents in 1983.
This ski resort is situated at the top of the Ordino Valley and is north-facing, so it always has plentiful amounts of snow. As such, if a guarantee of high snowfall is what you’re looking for from your Andorra holiday, then Ordino Arcalís could be the place for you.
In that sense, Ordino Arcalís is also a good bet for any skiers looking to travel for an Andorra ski holiday early in the season, as this ski resort often opens earlier than the others in the principality, since it attracts such bountiful snowfall.
Pal Arinsal
As of the 2022/23 season, Pal Arinsal has also formed part of Grandvalira Resorts Andorra to offer ski enthusiasts visiting the country even greater choice. This, though, wasn’t the first expansion for this particular Andorra ski resort. As the name suggests, Pal Arinsal ski resort covers slopes in the areas of Pal and Arinsal, which are two different places.
This resort’s story of welcoming skiers to its slopes began in the heart of Arinsal in 1973, when their first ski lift was installed. A similar ski resort was later opened in Pal, before the two sites were connected in 2001 thanks to the installation of a cable car. As such, the combined Pal Arinsal experience was born, with over 60 kilometres of slopes, between altitudes of 1,550m and 2,560m above sea level, able to cater to skiers of all levels.
The Pal Arinsal ski resort is also able to cater to all kinds of travellers and budgets. There is a Pal Arinsal season ski pass for those who plan to ski time and time again on the slopes that make up the Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, but there is also a Pal Arinsal ski day pass for those who only want to take to the slopes for a one-off experience.
The one-day Andorra ski pass at Pal Arinsal could be the perfect option if you are staying in the capital of Andorra la Vella, and want to try out just a little bit of skiing during your visit to the microstate. Located in the west of the country, Pal Arinsal is the closest Andorra ski resort to the nation’s capital city.
It should also be kept in mind that Pal Arinsal comes alive in the summer too, just in a slightly different way. There is a bike park with over 60 kilometres of DH and XCO circuits for all ability levels, as well as a fun mountain park packed with summer adventure activities, from zip-lines to go-karting. Many of the same winter guests return in the summer to explore the new outdoor routes that open up in the drier conditions, and to keep enjoying the famous hospitality that helped Pal Arinsal make a name for itself.
So, from the extensive trails of Grandvalira to the untouched powder of Ordino Arcalís and the family-friendly atmosphere of Pal Arinsal, Andorra’s ski resorts cater to a wide range of preferences and skill levels. Regardless of which resort you choose, Andorra offers a unique blend of challenging slopes, stunning scenery and friendly après-ski that makes it one of Europe’s best-kept winter secrets.