Trails in Andorra. Ski slopes of Andorra: put on the shelves. Pal-Arinsal Andorra piste map
Most winter lovers know map of ski resorts of Andorra as these places are popular with tourists. A small principality with an area of 468 km 2, the capital of which is Andorra la Vella, located in the east of the Pyrenees between France and Spain. The locals know Spanish and French well, despite the fact that the local language is Catalan. However, the employees of the local resorts speak English. There are also places where Russian-speaking agents from international travel operators work, as well as professional instructors. The country's popularity among vacationers is quite simple to explain.
The highest point of the principality is the peak of Coma Pedrosa. Its height is 2942 meters. For this reason, the bulk of tourists know where is the ski resort of Andorra, because I can rightfully be called the queen of all existing winter sports. Coma Pedrosa is located on the northwest side of the principalities in the Pyrenees of the La Massana region. Local resorts are more suitable for lovers of a quiet, relaxing holiday. On the territory of Andorra, the dollar is considered the main means of payment. You can exchange currency at almost any bank or hotel, where the rate is usually significantly lower. It is best to take care of the availability of a sufficient amount of non-cash and cash funds in advance.
Within the principality, there is no rail or air communication, so you can move between description of ski resorts in Andorra which are also presented, the traveler will have to use public transport, rented car or taxi.
To get to the country, a tourist can use one of the nearest airports accepting international flights. These include Il Prat Airport in Spain and Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France. The path from Barcelona to the principality is 200 kilometers, and from Toulouse - 170 kilometers. It is easier to get to Andorra from Barcelona, from where there are twelve daily flights, while there are only two from Toulouse. The border of the principality is open to France and Spain, therefore, in order to get to local resorts, you must apply for an entry visa from one of these states or any other country belonging to the Schengen area. Numerous photo of the ski resort of Andorra tourists are resting with their pets, but it should be remembered that the animal must go through customs control with a medical certificate, where there are marks about all vaccinations.
Resorts of Andorra
It should be noted right away that the principality attracts tourists with its material availability, as well as the quality of the tracks intended for skiing. Prices for similar French or Alpine resorts are much higher. However, the attractive price does not mean at all a low quality of service or poorly developed infrastructure. Each of the available resorts is characterized by the presence of many trails of various levels of difficulty. Each of them has its own specific marker; signs are placed along the paths. To prevent an inexperienced skier from flying off the track, they are all fenced. All working lifts are safe and comfortable. On the Internet is presented the scheme of the slopes of the ski resorts of Andorra, among which it is necessary to highlight the main ones. The principality is geographically divided into two zones called Vallnord and Grandvalir. There is something to see in almost any chosen city of the kingdom, but ski resorts are still among the pearls. Among the best places in Grandvalira are the following:
Vallnord is also divided into several skiing sectors. The total length of the tracks is about ninety kilometers, most of which are colored blue and red on the diagram. About twenty-six tracks are characterized by vertical drops of up to 600 meters, as well as 63 tracks with drops of up to a kilometer. Among professionals, the resort of Ordino-Arcalis, which is located not far from the princely capital, is popular. There are mostly gentle slopes, the highest of which is 2600 meters. They are ideal for downhill runs.
Some of the tracks belong to the category of increased difficulty and are accessible only to specialists in their field.
Known best ski resorts in Andorra Pal-Arinsal also belongs, the highest point of which is over 1950 meters. In total, tourists are presented with about forty tracks of varying duration and difficulty. Thus, Andorra is multifaceted. Its ski resorts are suitable for all categories of holidaymakers, both from the point of view of the financial side and the level of fitness of the athlete.
When is the best time to go
Winter in the Pyrenees mountains of Andorra pleases vacationers with its winter landscapes with heavy snowfalls, coniferous forests and warm weather. There is no harsh winter here. The temperature, as a rule, ranges from -2 to +2 degrees and only in certain areas can it drop below -5 degrees during the day and below -15 degrees at night. The favorable season for a trip to Andorra lasts from the last days of November to the first days of April. However, there are also exceptions. For example, not everywhere ski season in Andorra lasts until early April. Some trails of Pal-Arinsal are available until May. The most popular recreational areas are also equipped with snow cannons to maintain a full, skiable snow cover. With the help of such equipment, the season can be extended until late spring. For this reason, holidays here in May are as popular as in the height of winter.
Thus, Alpine skiing of Andorra is in demand among a huge number of tourists who do not want to overpay extra money while vacationing in France. The developed network of infrastructure of local recreational areas allows the traveler to spend his vacation comfortably, in addition, the quality of the routes presented is pleasantly surprised.
Andorra
- Andorra La Vella
The capital of the principality of Andorra is located in a picturesque gorge at an altitude of 1050 m above sea level, surrounded by mountains and coniferous forests. The city will surprise you with the diversity of its culture - modern buildings and ancient temples are located on the banks of a mountain river. For shoppers, there is a real expanse here: exquisite fashion boutiques, commercial centers, small private artisan shops. Most of the stores are located on Meritxell Avenue.
- Encamp
Route scheme
The city, located at an altitude of 1250 m above sea level and 7-10 minutes by bus from the center of Andorra, is the result of the confluence of five small mountain villages. Since the opening of the Funicamp telecab lift in 1999, it has become one of the main ski resorts.
- Soldeu and El Tarter
Route scheme
Soldeu and El Tarter are two mountain villages. This is perhaps one of the most picturesque ski areas, located at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level, in the central part of Andorra. The dynamically developing resort offers skiers 193 km of slopes of all levels of skiing. The 8.2 km descent along the pine-surrounded trail to Soldeu is very attractive.
- Pas de la Casa
Route scheme
One of the largest and most popular ski resorts in Andorra - Pas de la Casa - Grau Roig stretches to the border with France. Experienced skiers say that the local snow has an amazing feature: at +10 C it remains dry and very slippery. The highest mountain resort of the Pyrenees impresses with the variety of its ski slopes and the constant snow cover throughout the season thanks to the huge number of snow cannons. All slopes are equipped with a modern lift system.
- La Massana
Route scheme
This town in the west of the country is located between the rivers North Valira and Arinsal, at the intersection of the roads to Arinsal, Ordino, Arcalís and Andoru la Vella. On the territory of La Massana is the highest point of Andorra, Coma Pedrosa. Very quickly and conveniently can be reached from the capital, using the new tunnel that connects Andorra la Vella and La Massana. In the very center of the town, there is a new lift-telecabin, which in just 5 minutes will take skiers to one of the ski sectors of Vallnord - Pal. In addition, in 10-15 minutes skiers will be able to get by ski-buses from hotels located in La Massana to the ski lifts of Arinsal, Erts and Arcalis.
- Pal Arinsal
Route scheme
The ski resort includes two centers - Pal and Arinsal, united into a single complex, which is called Pal-Arinsal. You can get from one center to another using a modern high-tech cable car - the Seturia telecabin. Pal - Arinsal resort is located in the western part of Andorra, just 10 kilometers from the capital Andorra La Vella. The main advantages of the ski resort are: developed tourist infrastructure, stability of the snow cover, ideal preparation of the slopes (the Pal resort is the world leader in the number of snow cannons per kilometer of descent).
Andorra has two major ski resorts: Vallnord and Grandvalira. Vallnord offers over 90 km of ski slopes, in Grandvalira there are over 200 kilometers of ski slopes. This makes Andorra the largest ski region in the Pyrenees. It was here that we spent most of our ski holidays.
You can climb the mountains from different places, but mostly tourists use the Funicamp cable car. It connects Encamp, a 10-minute drive from the principality's capital, with the upper slopes of the ski areas. "Funicamp" is closer to the other ski lifts to the city center. 
The 6-kilometer cable car "Funicamp" is considered one of the longest in Europe. It includes 32 cabins, each of which can accommodate up to 24 people. Ascending from the booth, there are wonderful views of the wilderness of the Pyrenees mountains. Rise on the trailer for about 25 minutes. 
But do not think that after each descent you will have to waste time on the ascent again. On the "Funicamp" ascend once a day, from here begins the skiing area. All tracks are shown in the diagram (Click to full size): 
The main difference between this resort and the ski slopes of Russia (I compare it with the Elbrus region) is the complete absence of queues. The maximum time you stand in line is 5-10 minutes. The bandwidth is very large. The tracks are wide enough, and in Pas de La Casa - the width is no less than a football field. 
There are a lot of different buildings. For example, snow igloos: 
Such a situation inside. You can sit on skins, drink hot tea or mulled wine: 
There is even an ice hotel where you can sleep. Everything there is made of ice. And beds and tables and stacks. People sleep on skins in sleeping bags. But the pleasure is not cheap. 
There are a lot of lifts and they are different. There are chairlifts for 4 people: 
Here are the booths for 8 people: 
For convenience, during lifting, skis and boards are located outside the booth: 
The setting near the mountain cafe: 
Don't confuse your equipment: 
Some wear cool costumes. Tiger, bee and ladybug: 
These tractors are used to tamp snow: 
Andorra is considered a very comfortable ski resort with slopes for every taste and color. Therefore, here you can meet many children learning to ski. 
Special snow park with jumps for snowboarders: 
Everything was fine except for the weather. The famous "sunny" Andorra passed us by. There were, of course, sunny days, but in most cases I had to ride like this: 
And like this: 
On the first day, some tracks were closed earlier due to bad weather: 
Frozen Lake: 
Somehow they found a blue sky to take a photo: 
View of the hotels at the foot of the mountain: 
Transfer station: 
At each such station there is a route map: 
In general, the navigation of the tracks is at the highest level. Everything is signed. It is impossible to get lost: 
Snow cannons are located almost along all the tracks. 
They hardly worked with us - there was a lot of snow and without their work: 
One of the non-gloomy days. Morning, there are few people on the lifts, the sun is just rising. 
The trails are well laid out: 
Few views from mountain slopes: 
It's time to take a selfie: 
The capital of the principality of Andorra is located in a picturesque gorge at an altitude of 1050 m above sea level, surrounded by mountains and coniferous forests. In the most mountainous capital of Europe, ancient temples coexist with ultra-modern houses, and wide squares - with narrow ancient streets.
You can walk from one end of the city to the other in half an hour, but bypassing all its shops will not work even in a week. For shopping lovers, Andorra la Vella is a real pleasure: exquisite fashion boutiques, commercial centers, small private artisan shops. Most of the stores are located on Meritxell Avenue.
One of the main attractions of the capital is the Olympic sports complex Andorra Multisport Center. The ski slopes can be reached by bus, taxi or Funicamp cable car. In the evening, tourists and Andorrans have fun in numerous bars, cafes, restaurants and disco clubs of the city, many establishments are open until the early morning.
The small town of Escaldes adjoins the capital Andorra la Vella, they are connected by one central street. Escaldes is the youngest historical region of Andorra. It is here that the famous thermal springs are located, some of the hottest in Europe.
The sulfurous water of Escaldes springs is very beneficial for health, and there are two large thermal spa complexes in the city at once: Caldea and Inuu.
The city, located at an altitude of 1250 m above sea level and 7-10 minutes by bus from the center of Andorra, is the result of the confluence of five small mountain villages. Since the opening of the Funicamp telecab lift in 1999, it has become one of the main ski resorts.
Two mountain villages located at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level in the central part of Andorra. This is perhaps one of the most picturesque ski areas. The dynamically developing resort with the most modern equipment offers skiers 193 km of slopes of any level of skiing. There are both beginner tracks and a boardercross track. The 8.2 km descent along the pine-surrounded trail to Soldeu is very attractive.
One of the largest and most popular ski resorts in Andorra, Pas de la Casa / Grau Roig, stretches to the border with France. Pas de la Casa is highly regarded for its extensive slopes and good snow quality. Experienced skiers say that the local snow has an amazing feature: at + 10 ° C it remains dry and very slippery.
Thanks to the huge number of snow cannons, the highest mountain resort of the Pyrenees amazes with the variety of its ski slopes and the constant snow cover throughout the season.
This town in the west of the country is located between the rivers North Valira and Arinsal. Coma Pedrosa, the highest point of Andorra, is located in the territory of La Massana. You can get here very quickly and conveniently from the capital, using the new tunnel that connects Andorra la Vella and La Massana.
In the very center of the town, there is a new lift-telecabin, which in just 5 minutes will take skiers to one of the ski sectors of Vallnord - Pal. In addition, in 10-15 minutes skiers will be able to get by ski-buses from hotels located in La Massana to the ski lifts of Arinsal, Erts and Arcalis.
The main pearl of Andorra is the ski resorts, which are located in two ski areas - Vallnord and Grandvalira.
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Although Andorra is a country of more than modest size, there are plenty of opportunities for recreation and entertainment. There are interesting sights in almost every settlement of the country, but its main pearl is the ski resorts. All of them are located in two ski areas called Grandvalira and Vallnord. In our review, we will tell you about the features of the resorts located in these ski areas.
Grandvalira
In this ski area are located the large ski resorts of Pas de la Casa and Soldeu, as well as four smaller ones (Encamp, Grau Roig, El Tarter and Canillo). The total area occupied by the resorts is almost 1800 hectares, which makes it the largest in Andorra and one of the largest in Europe. These resorts have been merged to provide the option to purchase a single ski pass. The total length of tracks of varying difficulty is 190 km, the height difference is about a kilometer. 68 ski lifts bring skiers to the top of the slopes.
In the ski area of Grandvalira, there are slopes of varying difficulty, according to the international classification, they are marked with different colors. There are 19 green slopes, 39 blue, 30 red and 24 black ones. As you can see, most of all there are slopes for mass skiing of skiers with an average level of skill. You should be aware that the steepest slopes are observed at the top of Tossal de Lallosada (2600 m), and the lowest at the foot.
The resort of Pas de la Casa
In this ski resort, most of the tourists are very spoiled. Located almost on the border with France, the resort is a complex of five dozen trails, of which the most red ones (23). All of them are equipped with various types of safety lifts. Skiing here is safe for any category of vacationers.
In addition to the great pistes and hotels, there are some very popular restaurants here that are a must-see. We are talking about the steakhouse Gall De Bosc (Soldeu), Roc De Les Bruixes (Canillo), Llac De Pessons (Grau Roig) and of course El Raco Del Park. There are also several interesting sights that can diversify the time.
Resort Soldeu - El Tarter
Soldeu ski resort rightfully occupies a leading place in the ranking of resorts in Andorra. This is due to the highest level of equipment of the tracks. The name of the resort is due to the two villages that actually form it. In Soldeu skiers of all skill levels can have a good time, and in El Tarter families with children.
The resort's pistes are mostly intended for beginner to intermediate skiers (green and blue pistes). There is also a special track for toddlers.
The scheme of the slopes of the resort of Soldeu - El Tarter
On the territory of this resort, you can both rent and purchase a variety of ski equipment. The main stores with such products are Esports Calbo, Esports Calbo, Pic Negre and Loaded.
In addition to skiing and everything related to it, in the resort of Soldeu - El Tarter you can buy a lot of goods at very low prices, since Andorra is a duty free zone.
How much is a ski pass in Grandvalira
A daily ski pass at this resort will cost € 42 for an adult and € 31 for a child. A six-day pass will cost 221 euros / 153 euros, respectively.
Vallnord
Like the previous one, the Vallnord ski area combines the Ordino-Arcalis and Pal-Arinsa ski sectors. In total, there are about 90 km of slopes, most of which are red and blue. In the Ordino-Arcalis sector there are 26 slopes with a vertical drop of about 600 meters, and in Pal-Arinsa - 63 with a drop of about a kilometer.
Ordino-Arcalis
This resort is located three dozen kilometers from the capital of the principality, the city of Andorra la Vella. The slopes are relatively gentle, the maximum height is 2600 meters, the minimum is 1940 meters. The resort's pistes offer excellent downhill skiing opportunities on blue and red pistes. There are also the most difficult tracks, black ones, which are popular with professionals.
The resort has a good selection of hotels, ranging from 4 * to luxury cottages.
Pal-Arinsal
Like the previous resort, Pal-Arinsal consists of two centers, the name of which forms this combination. This resort is located ten kilometers from the capital of Andorra. The height of the resort above sea level is 1950 m. The total number of trails is four dozen, lists of all categories of difficulty are presented.
Also in the resort of Arinsal there is the most difficult descent in the country - the difference in altitude at the starting and ending points is a whole kilometer.
How much is a ski pass in Villanorde
One day of skiing in Villanord ski resort will cost 38 euros for an adult and 28 euros for a child. A six-day pass will cost 176 and 133 euros, respectively.
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