The Best Places to Ski in Andorra

Last Updated on February 15, 2023 by Helen E. White

Andorra is a safe bet for those looking for the best place to ski, not only because of the quality of the snow but also because of its more than 300 km. slopes prepared for both beginners and the most experienced, a wide range of hotels and a multitude of activities to do.

Best Places to Ski in Andorra

For this reason, we have made a list of the 5 best places to ski in Andorra, so that you can decide the one that best suits your tastes and needs.

The 13 Best Places to Ski in Andorra

1. Grandvalira

Grandvalira is the largest ski resort in Andorra, the Pyrenees and all of southern Europe, with 176 slopes of different levels, totaling more than 200 kilometers and up to 6 m. of accumulated snow, perfect for practicing your favorite sport. Without a doubt, skiing in Grandvalira is an experience that you have to have at least once in your life. To compare prices, you can do it through Estiber.

If you intend to cross the ski resort from Encamp to Pas de la Casa, you will need at least a full day at a moderate pace, and take 12 lifts, 6 out and 6 back. Grandvalira is divided into 7 sectors :

2. Encamp

Encamp is the closest access to Spain and Andorra la Vella, with 14 slopes of all levels, including blue and red, free and paid parking, ticket offices, a nursery and a themed area for children.

The town is not next to the slopes, so you have to take the Funicamp, one of the longest funiculars in Europe of 6 km. in length, which rises from 1,200 m. up to 2,500 m. high to the area of Solanelles.

Encamp funicular

3. Canillo

Canillo is a perfect sector for children due to its Moon Magic circuit, its nursery school, the Palau du Gel, an ice skating rink, the longest zip line in southern Europe, and ice karts

But in addition, it has 7 slopes of all levels, most of them of low difficulty, which is accessed by a gondola lift, and it has paid to park.

4. Tarter

El Tarter has 26 slopes of all levels, themed children’s areas, a nursery, one of the longest snowparks in Europe, and freeride areas, and it is the nerve center of après ski in Grandvalira with venues such as L’Abarset with concerts and parties.

In addition, it is the area best connected to chairlifts with different valleys such as Soldeu, Grau Roig and Canillo, and it has free parking at the foot of the slopes.

5. Solder

In the 1,710 m. high, in the middle of Grandvalira, in Soldeu, one of the most complete areas of the resort, with 36 slopes of all levels, including the Avet slope, with extreme descents with inclinations of up to 60%, freeride areas and ski mountaineering, as well as the circuit for children Bababoom Circus.

It is a good option for families with 4 and 5-star hotels at the foot of the slopes, a nursery, a wide range of restaurants and a good nightlife. It has paid-covered parking and lockers.

6. Red Grade

At the highest point, at 2,100 m. is the Grau Roig sector, attractive for its landscape, with the most virgin nature of the resort, with a unique and exclusive hotel, as well as for its free parking at the foot of the slope, where you can even spend the night.

It has 36 slopes for all levels, as well as 3 themed circuits for children, a nursery for the little ones (from 1 to 4 years old), a freeride area, ski mountaineering and the only kilometer-long slope on the Iberian Peninsula.

You can also go on dog sledding, snowmobile or snowshoe excursions.

7. House Pass

The closest track to the French border, at 2,080 m. high is Pas de la Casa, with a youthful atmosphere, the liveliest nightlife of the entire resort, and several hotels from which you will ski, without the need for ski lifts.

It has 16 wide and long slopes for all levels, especially intermediate-advanced, freeride zone and the quality of its snow is fantastic.

8. Peretol

At 1,960 m. high is the Peretol sector, which is accessed with the longest chairlift in Andorra from Pla de les Pedres, and with free buses from Bordes d’Envalira.

It has 4 slopes of all levels, and the Sunset Park Peretol by Henrik Harlaut is the only night snowpark in the Pyrenees.

Hours: Every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

9. Vallnord

The Vallnord ski resort has been formed in 2005 by what were two independent slopes: Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis, with no more and no less than 93 km. skiable, spread over 70 slopes with enviable snow and well signposted.

To get there there is a free bus service from the main towns to the foot of the slopes. Line 1 runs from Andorra la Vella to the La Massana gondola, stopping at Escaldes, and line 2 from the town of La Massana to Arinsal via Erts.

The Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis ski passes are independent and are paid separately. Continue reading for more information.

10. Pal Arinsal

20 minutes from Andorra la Vella, with a cable car from La Massana, is Pal Arinsal, one of the most beautiful areas for skiing in Andorra, with an incredible landscape with slopes surrounded by pine trees, at elevations between 1,150 and 2,560 m. Tall.

You can enjoy 63 km. skiable, distributed in 51 slopes with 24 ski lifts, 7 slopes for ski mountaineering and 17.5 km. to go snowshoeing, all well signposted, safe and with fantastic snow quality. For all these reasons, it is chosen to host several international competitions and the most important sporting events in the country.

Younger children also have their space to enjoy to the fullest, the Pekepark or Snow Garden, controlled by monitors with Pocoyo‘s company, as well as the Baby Club, a nursery with a multitude of toys and entertainment.

The resort is separated by 2 sectors, as its name suggests, the Pal valley and the Arinsal valley, connected exclusively by cable car, although both can be reached by car, as they have ample free parking.

Regarding après ski, the town of Arinsal offers a great musical and gastronomic offer with restaurants and grills, as in La Massana, which also has spas and cultural itineraries, and a little further in Escaldes-Engordany and Andorra la Vella,

You can also find shopping centers and cinemas.

Address: Carretera de Arinsal, AD400 Arinsal, Andorra
Hours: Every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

11. Ordino Arcalís

Just over 30 minutes from Andorra la Vella, is the Ordino Arcalís ski resort, with 30 km. tracks located between 1,900 and 2,600 m. high, including the longest track for beginners in the Pyrenees, called the Megaverda, with 8 km. to learn safely.

Its northeast orientation means that the quality of the snow is exceptional and that it lasts a little longer than in other seasons, so it is always the first to open and the last to close. It also has snow cannons for artificial snowfall of 47 km, which together with good signage make them impeccable tracks.

In addition, it has a fantastic snowpark, it has several areas to practice freeride, and it is the only one with a speed ride school. As if this were not enough, you have to know that this station stands out for being the one that offers the most activities, such as snow bikes, heliskiing, snowmobiles, zip lines, dog sledding and paragliding flights. You can also take a ride on the Gicafer, a caterpillar vehicle, quite an experience!

If you are traveling on a tight budget, this is probably the most recommended station. Despite not being connected to Pal Arinsal, it has a free bus service every half hour from Andorra la Vella, which stops at La Massana, Anyós, Ordino, Llorts and El Serrat, and connects with public transport line L6.

From January 10 you can also count on the Grandvalira Free Bus line, which leaves from Pas de la Casa stopping at Bordes d’Envalira, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana and Ordino, although much less frequently since there are only 2 round trips daily.

Address: AD300 Ordino, Andorra
Hours: Every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

12. Naturland

Among the forests of La Rabassa, is Naturland, which has 4 slopes totaling 15 km, and specialized in cross-country skiing for all levels. The two green tracks called ” La Pla Clonange ” of 1.6 km. and “ La verda del bosc ” of 1.8 km. They are perfect for learning or warming up before going to more difficult slopes, such as the 5.5 km “ Pleta de Mules ” blue slope. or the red one is known as “ Roca de Pimes ” with 6.5 km.

In this station, you can also find an equipment rental shop, ski school, cafeteria, toilets, picnic area and free Wi-Fi. But this space offers much more, such as a Bike Center with 60 km. of circuits through trails, a technical area and jumps, a riding center, and an adventure park at 1,600 m. high with incredible attractions such as the Tobotronc, a kind of roller coaster aboard a sled with a route of more than 5 km, and the Airtrekk, the largest Sky Trail in Europe with 10 towers at 13.5 m. high with platforms, walkways, and rope courses, with 3 levels of difficulty, and a karting circuit, among others. Perfect for spending the day with the family!

Address: Carretera de la Rabassa km. 8 Juberri, AD600 Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra
Hours: Every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from December 3 to April 3.

13. Parador Canaro

Another magnificent option, especially for those who want to learn to ski, is the 2 slopes, 2 ski lifts and 3 hectares that the Hotel Canaro has. The descents have moderate slopes, perfect for starting out in this family sport.

Without wasting your time traveling, the Parador not only offers accommodation, parking and good restaurant service, but also a ski school, professional instructors, an equipment rental shop and a toboggan run for the little ones.

Address: Crta. General 2. Incles – Soldeu Andorra
Hours: Every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you want to know more about the principality, keep reading our article with general information about Andorra, and don’t miss the 14 best places to see in Andorra, as well as the best experiences, to live your trip to the fullest.