Andorra, a landlocked country in the Pyrenees, is a snowsport enthusiast’s dream. Offering unparalleled skiing, reliable snow and a lively après scene, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for the ultimate ski holiday experience.
Our guide will cover everything you need to know about this beautiful country, including the best resorts, après-ski entertainment options, how to get there and when to visit.
Why choose Andorra?
Andorra ski holidays are known for their unbeatable prices.
Accommodation, equipment hire and lift passes are cheaper here than any other popular European ski destination, making it a great choice for those who are slightly more budget conscious.
Snow is almost always guaranteed thanks to the resort’s high altitudes and snow cannons, which can cover over 66% of Grandvalira’s terrain in artificial snow, should it be needed.
Bordering Spain, it has a strong Spanish influence. Catalan is the official language of Andorra, and the culture, traditions and cuisine closely resemble Catalonia. So, if you love tapas, you will be in for a treat!
Furthermore, it has duty-free shopping, so you can fill your boots and save on luxury goods, electronics and alcohol.
How to get there
Andorra doesn’t have its own airport; therefore, you’ll need to fly into either Spain or France. But don’t worry, Barcelona and Toulouse are within driving distance, and both have well-connected international airports.
If you’re flying into Barcelona, it’s around 201 km to Andorra and the drive takes roughly two and a half hours. The public bus takes slightly longer, but you can save money by opting for this mode of transport over a private transfer or hire car.
Best time to visit
The season typically runs from December to April, visiting during these months will guarantee you plenty of fresh snow and wonderful pistes.
Expect colder weather in January and February and sunny, blue skies in March and early April.
Best Resorts
Grandvalira is the largest ski area in Andorra, comprising seven resorts, with 215 km of slopes to explore. Considerable investment has been poured into making Grandvalira exceptional and now the resort can handle 100,000 skiers per hour with very few queues at the chair lifts.
Pas de la Casa is the highest resort in Grandvalira, at 2100m. It’s great for intermediate skiers and those looking for a lively après scene. It’s also a popular option for snowboarders due to its board park and half-pipe.
For beginners, Soldeu and El Tarter are best, with plenty of gentle green and blue slopes.
Après ski and entertainment
You will find no shortage of options for après ski in Pas de la Casa, with plenty of bars and restaurants offering live music and DJs. L’Abarset and Coll Blanc are two of the most popular après bars in Pas. Drinks are also considerably cheaper here than in the Alps.
For those with younger children, there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants in Arinsal. Or why not visit Palau de Gel, the Olympic ice rink in Canillo or sample some chocolate at Xocland, the chocolate factory in La Massana?