ski-season
What time of year is ski season? In Europe, the answer is a simple one, as the ski season coincides with the European winter. But, beneath that simple answer, there are a few nuances worth taking a look at too. That’s because some winter months are slightly better than others for visiting a European ski resort, and the reasons for this can vary depending on your exact tastes and preferences.
In this guide to the Europe and Andorra ski seasons, we’ll break down the exact dates and also the slight differences you might notice if you visit earlier in the ski season compared to later in the same ski season. Then, after you’re presented with all the information, you can work out and decide which time of year suits you and your friends or family best.
When does the ski season start in Andorra?
If we’re talking about a ski holiday in Andorra and when does Andorra ski season start, then the simple answer is that the Andorran ski season typically commences in early December and extends through April.
For example, the Pal Arinsal winter season for 2024/25 started on December 9th 2024, running through to April 20th 2024. So, that means the answer to the question of how long is the ski season in Andorra is more than four months. Even though the opening and closing dates can always vary slightly by year and by weather and snow conditions, there’s always plenty of time to explore the slopes. In fact, some groups even visit ski resorts like Pal Arinsal on multiple dates throughout the Andorra ski season.
Key dates for the ski season in Andorra
So, now that we know December is the answer to the question of when does Andorra ski season start, what other key dates are worth keeping in mind? Well, in the month of November workers at Andorra’s ski resorts will already begin to lay the foundations, in some cases literally, for the upcoming Andorra ski season. Then, maximum anticipation is reached at the end of November and beginning of December, with the slopes having their grand opening once there is enough snow on the grounds.
At the other end of the Andorra ski season, the ski resorts will typically close in April, although there is a chance that the ski season can be extended by a few days if there happens to be a bountiful level of snowfall in the fourth month of the year.
Then, once the “closed” signs are put up on Andorra’s ski slopes, attention turns to the Andorra summer activities. With bike parks, hiking trails and other outdoor activities, Andorra is just as alive in summer as it is in the winter. As such, it’s possible for resorts like Pal Arinsal to be open to the public for 10 months of the year.
Opening and closing dates of ski resorts
So, what exactly are the ski season months in Andorra? Well, the Andorra ski season covers most of December, all of January, all of February, all of March and most of April.
Each resort might have a slightly different start or end date to their own Andorra ski season, because of their specific traditions and specific levels of snowfall, but most will open around the same dates. In 2024/25, for example, the official opening date for Grandvalira was December 8th 2024, while for Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís it was December 9th.
Weather conditions during the ski season in Andorra
Of course, the main factor behind this whole question of when is ski season in Andorra is the weather and associated snowfall. There’s a need for a good amount of snow in order to ski, so this is what dictates the start and end dates of the Andorra ski season.
The good news is that Andorra’s ski resorts benefit from their high-altitude locations, with many slopes situated above 1,800 meters and some peaks reaching over 2,500 meters. Thanks to this mighty elevation, there is consistent and quality snowfall throughout the Andorra ski season.
Going month by month through the Andorra ski season, the snowfall is as follows.
- December in Andorra: 10.1 snowfall days on average, 214 mm average snowfall.
- January in Andorra: 13.9 snowfall days on average, 483 mm average snowfall.
- February in Andorra: 14.3 snowfall days on average, 254 mm average snowfall.
- March in Andorra: 12.5 snowfall days on average, 340 mm average snowfall.
- April in Andorra: 8.5 snowfall days on average, 222 mm average snowfall.
Given the nature of the sports of skiing and snowboarding, it stands to reason that both are better at the times of year when the most snow is on the ground. That said, it’s important to note that weather in mountainous regions, like the Pyrenees Mountain Range, can be quite unpredictable. Historical data does provide a general overview, but actual conditions can vary quite a lot, so keep in mind that the levels of snowfall listed above could be quite different when you actually travel.
That’s why it’s recommended that you only partly base your preferred travel dates on the weather conditions. Other factors worth considering are the best times of year to take a break, such as the fact that Andorra at Christmas is particularly magical. Combining all of this, you’ll surely find the perfect weekend during the Andorra ski season to book your dream trip.