300 skiable km in a single ski pass
The main ski resorts in Spain and Europe are preparing to welcome you to a new season. The first to show their letters have been those of the Principality, which are presented, for the first time, under the same brand: Grandvalira Resort Andorrathe largest ski area in the Pyrenees and southern Europe.
With an investment of €17.5 millionone of the most important in recent years, great attention has been paid to issues such as sustainability, with the construction of a hydroelectric power station in Pessons or the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of eight buildings, the improvement of infrastructures and the supply of leisure and restoration.
But, without a doubt, the great novelty of this winter are its new season passes. Pass The Andorra offers unlimited access to Ordino Arcalís, Pal Arinsal and Grandvalira, resulting in a total of 303 skiable kilometers, 213 slopes of all levels and 123 mechanical lifts. On the other hand, it is north pass, which allows unlimited skiing in Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís, as well as two days in Grandvalira. Both passes are valid in both winter and summer. The third pass is the mountain pass, which makes available to lovers of ski mountaineering and snowshoeing all the skimo circuits and spaces set up for snowshoes at the Grandvalira Resort and a total of 13 ski lifts that will allow one ascent and one descent per day, in addition to including the rescue service and transfer to the medical center and a day of skiing in any of the resorts. And as if all this were not enough, starting this season, the Grandvalira Resort has become part of the prestigious pass iconthe pass born in the United States that gives access to more than 50 destinations around the world and that now includes Andorran domains.
Track improvements
Among the different improvements that have been made in the three resorts, it should be noted that in order to offer a better experience to skiers who opt for Grandvalira, in the Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig sectors, the Port d’Envalira area has been revitalized and antennae with the new pont-grau track that crossing the road and will link the area of Port d’Envalira with the area of Bordes. The creation of this track, suitable for all levels, supposes the expansion of the ski area by 14 hectares. Also, this year there will be a new ski mountaineering circuit in the Forn ‘Cap de Rep’ in Canillo and another that will facilitate the ascent from Soldeu to Espiolets on snowshoes.
So that the little ones in the house can make the most of their getaway, the children’s circuits in Encamp, Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig have been improved, as well as the XCROSS circuit in the Coma III area. The Soldeu sector will have three new circuits that offer fast curves, jumps, dubbies, tunnels and other obstacles that will guarantee fun.
pure adrenaline
In this complex, a day of skiing can be completed with different activities such as dog sledding, snowmobile routes or zip lines. From this 2022/23 it will also be possible to enjoy, in the Pas de la Casa sector, the Dots Snowtubing which, with its 350 meters, has become the longest tubbing track in Europe. The most adventurous will be able to reach in this circuit, formed by numerous turns and two tunnels that pass under the tracks, speeds up to 60 km/h. For its part, the Soldeu platform opens the Space Gliss area, with which the space will be energized with new activities: the Mini-Snake Gliss, sledding and tubbing, all of which are mainly aimed at families.
A rich gastronomy, drinks and lots of music
Another of the strengths of this resort is its wide range of restaurants and leisure, so for another year they bring news so that skiers can enjoy new bars and restaurants between descents. In Grandvalira it arrives, in the El Peretol sector, the vermouth bar Bordes 1957, a charming space that promises to become the new place to be. Also, the At The Snow Veuve Clicquot, the Petroni terrace and the Corner of Solanelles presents great improvements and the terrace of cabbage blanc will open a new outdoor bar San Miguel. In Ordino Arcalís it will open its doors again, after a thorough renovation, the mythical La Coma Restaurant and the Planells Restaurant It became the place of reference for lovers of healthy food with 100% organic products. Lastly, in Pal Arinsal there are three spaces that have received a makeover, the old Obelix bar, which is now the boy, the Xiri Snowbar that becomes the piccolo and the restaurant in the Comallemple building, which has become the new terroir
Perfect for Après-ski is L’Abarset that after succeeding last season with its reopening comes with some novelties such as Shot bar the Velvederea new concept offered by the most original shots, and L’Abarset The Cluba most exclusive space.
In addition, this year Grandvalira will host, from March 30 to April 2, the first edition of the Snowrow, a festival that will arrive with a program full of music, immersive shows, pop ups, competitions and all kinds of proposals aimed at both family audiences during the day and adults at night with concerts by international DJs, ‘secret parties’ and others après-ski proposals It will be held in different spaces in the Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig sectors and will propose activities every day from 9 in the morning to 12 at night.
Andorra always with sport
As every year, Grandvalira Resort will once again be the setting for national and international competitions such as the Alpine Ski World Cup Finals (from March 13 to 19), the Thrown Kilometer World Cup (from March 28 to 30) , the ISMF Comapedrosa Andorra Ski Mountaineering World Cup (from January 19 to 22), the Freeride World Tour (from February 4 to 9) or the Borrufa Trophy (from January 16 to 19).