Andorra Ski Holidays

How to get to Andorra

To get to Andorra, you have to travel by land. Located in the Pyrenees mountains, between Spain and France, there is no other way to get there, as there is no train station or airport (although you can get to nearby capitals such as Lleida or Barcelona by train or airport).

It is possible to link up with companies that offer regular coach services, but our recommendation is that you take the car (be careful of the curves and the state of the roads, you have to drive with caution): you will not depend on timetables or transfers, and in the après-ski hours you will have total freedom to move around Andorra and visit magical places. Here are the ways to get there. 

By plane

You can reach Andorra from airports such as Lleida-Alguaire (150km away), Carcassone (176km away), Toulouse Blagnac (195km away) or Barcelona-El Prat (200km away). From these locations you can find bus connections to Andorra la Vella.

By car

How to get to Andorra la Vella by car? You have the option of arriving from Spain or from France:

• From Spain: the most common options are to take the C-145 road from Lleida or the C-16, a road with tolls that passes through the Cadí tunnel, Puigcerdà and La Seu d'Urgell. You can also take a more circuitous route, although it is actually shorter: via Pas de la Casa, turning off towards Latour-de-Carol at Puigcerdá. On this stretch you will be amazed by the views of the French Cerdanya.
• From France: take the N-22 road and cross the border at Pas de la Casa. At this point, it becomes known as Carretera General 2 (CG2).

By bus

Several bus companies offer connecting services from the main cities to Andorra la Vella. These are the most frequently used routes:

• Toulouse-Andorra: service operated by AndyBus.
• Barcelona-Andorra: we suggest Ski-Bus routes, ideal for those who don't have a car or prefer to leave it at home, with all-inclusive packages and a bus that drops you off at your hotel and also takes you to the slopes. Other options include Directbus, Andybus and ALSA services.
• Lleida-Andorra: the service is operated by Viatges Montmantell.

Once you are in the capital, Andorra la Vella, there are various public bus services. If you are travelling with your own car, to get to the resorts you can follow these routes from Andorra la Vella:

• To go to Grandvalira, you will have to take the Carretera General 2 (CG2).
• To go to Pal-Arinsal, take the CG1 to La Massana, and there, the CG3. Past the village of Erts, you will have to choose between the CG4 (towards the Pal sector) or the CG5 (towards the Arinsal sector).
• To go to Ordino-Arcalís: follow the Carretera General 1 (CG1) towards the village of Escaldes-Engordany. From here, follow the signs to La Massana along Carretera General 3 (CG3). Do not leave the road, which ends at the Ordino-Arcalís ski slopes.

How to get to Andorra's ski stations

Below are the different access points to Andorra's ski resorts (Grandvalira, Pal-Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalís) and their corresponding sectors.

Grandvalira

• To access the Encamp sector, 8 kilometres from Andorra la Vella, you can take the funicular railway that links the slopes with the village with which it shares its name and which is known as Funicamp (included in the price of the ski pass). There is free parking right there, which fills up quickly.

Free parking✔️ Paid parking✔️ ℹ️ Funicular access

• To access the Canillo sector, 13 kilometres from Andorra la Vella, we will use a cable car. The free car park has few spaces, so it's worth getting up early. 

Free parking✔️ Paid parking✔️ ℹ️ Access by gondola lift

• To access the El Tarter sector, 16.7 kilometres from Andorra la Vella, we will again take a cable car or a chairlift near the Nordic Esports shop. Next to it, you can leave your car in a fairly large parking area. 

Free parking✔️ Paid parking❌ ℹ️ Access by gondola lift

• To access the Soldeu sector, 19 kilometres from Andorra la Vella, take a cable car. In the surrounding area there is a limited free parking area and another paid car park in the lift building. 

Free parking✔️ Paid parking✔️ ℹ️ Access via cable car

• Access to the Grau Roig sector, 25 kilometres from Andorra la Vella, is easy by following the CG2 or after the Envalira toll, from Pas de la Casa. It is easy to find a space in the free car park, which is also at the foot of the slopes. 

Free car park✔️ Paid car park❌ ℹ️ Access by ski lift

• To access the Pas de la Casa sector, at 2,100 metres, you can leave in the free car park on the Costa Rodona road. It is opposite the chairlift that takes you to the slopes. There are other paid parking options, both indoor and outdoor.

Free parking✔️ Paid parking✔️ ℹ️ Access via ski lift

Pal-Arinsal

This ski resort offers nine parking areas that can accommodate more than 6,000 vehicles. Between sectors, you can use the cable car that links Coll de la Botella and Pic Negre.

• To access the Pal sector, you can take the cable car in the village of La Massana, or drive to La Caubella, take the road to Pal-Arinsal, pass Erts and take the turn-off to Pal. Here there is a free car park with direct access to the slopes. 

Free parking✔️ Paid parking✔️ ℹ️ Access by gondola lift

• To access the Arinsal sector, you can take the Arinsal cable car, which you will find in the village with which it shares its name and which takes you to Comallempe. You can also get there by car: after Erts, take the road to Arinsal. Next to Hotel Patagonia you will see the foot of the slopes and the chairlift to Comallemple. There is free parking in the village, or paid parking in Prat de la Mollera. 

Free parking✔️ Paid parking✔️ ℹ️ Access by gondola lift

Ordino-Arcalís

• To access the Arcalís sector, we can take the car and, passing the village of Ordino, park in several areas with capacity for 1,500 vehicles: Planell d'Encodina or following the road towards the Borda de la Coma restaurant (CS-380). There is VIP parking, for a fee, next to the slopes. 

Free parking✔️ Paid parking✔️

Skiing with kids in Andorra

Andorra is a magnificent place for a family trip to the snow. All its resorts have special areas for kids to try skis and take their first steps, with wide, easy slopes with little gradient, so that they can gradually gain confidence. Andorra also has nurseries and snow gardens where you can leave them in the company of other kids of their own age and have fun under the supervision of qualified staff.

Grandvalira, Pal-Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalís also have themed kid's areas where both adults and children will have a great time. Let's take a look at what each resort has to offer families.

Skiing with kids in Grandvalira

Prices of ski passes for kids in Grandvalira

All children under 6 years old have free ski passes all season. The rest have special discounts on ski passes in the following age brackets: 6-11 years old (who can go free on certain days of the season, and the rest, with special prices) and juniors, from 12 to 17 years old. The ages must be accredited.

Kidservices in Grandvalira

There is a nursery in the Grau Roig sector (for kids under 24 months) and three kindergartens in the Canillo, El Tarter and Soldeu sectors (for kids over 24 months).

• Ski school		1
  Nursery schools (from 1 to 3 years)		3
  Blue and green slopes		78
  Snow garden or playground (from 3 to 6 years)		6
  Ribbon lifts		9

Where to ski with kids in Grandvalira

Grau Roig is ideal for the Coma III and Piolet areas with the Imaginarium Park; El Tarter has the Bababoom Circus; Canillo has the Món Màgic kid's circuit and ski school; in Pas de la Casa there is the Bosque Encantado circuit; in Encamp, there is the Supertunel circuit.

Skiing with kids in Pal-Arinsal

Price of ski passes for kids in Pal-Arinsal

Free season pass for kids under 5 years old. Special discounts for kids 6-15 years old with the purchase of an adult ski pass.

Kid's services in Pal-Arinsal

Baby Club nurseries and Pekepark kindergartens in both La Caubella (Pal) and Comallemple (Arinsal). The former are for children from 1 to 4 years of age and they can do arts and crafts and make their first contact with the snow in good weather, as well as having fun with the character Pocoyo, who is the star of the Baby Club; the latter, from 4 to 8 years of age, are ideal for them to start to become familiar with skis and go outdoors in enclosed areas.

• Ski school		2
  Nursery schools (from 1 to 4 years)		2
  Blue and green slopes		23
  Snow garden or playground (from 4 to 8 years)		2
  Ribbon lifts		9

Where to ski with children in Pal-Arinsal

The Pal sector is the best for its wide, open pistes with gentle slopes (3 green pistes and 8 blue pistes). A must is the Snow Snake, the fun snake made of sledges that slides down the snow. However, Arinsal also has 3 green slopes and 7 blue slopes. Don't miss other activities designed for families, such as the sledging and donut track, orienteering circuits, children's snowmobile routes, the Kids Zip zip line, the rope park and the Jump trampoline. 

The station is considered one of the most attractive for ski groups, specifically for schools that travel to ski during the school white week.

Skiing with kids in Ordino-Arcalís

Price of ski passes for kids in Ordino-Arcalis

Children under 6 years old have the ski pass free all season. For the rest of the season, there are discounts for children aged 6-11 and juniors aged 12-17.

Kid's services in Ordino-Arcalís

As it has only one sector, this is where you will find both the nursery and the snow garden. In the first, they welcome kids between 1 and 4 years old who can walk on their own; an ideal place to have fun doing arts and crafts.

In the second, children between the ages of 3 and 6 receive their first ski lessons in a very enjoyable way, with the use of games. You can deepen their knowledge with the kid's classes at the Ordino Arcalís Ski and Snowboard School or with the Màgic Ski Club classes, accompanied by a whole philosophy of values.

• Ski school		1
  Nursery schools (from 1 to 4 years)		1
  Blue and green slopes		16
  Snow garden or playground (from 3 to 6 years)		1
  Ribbon lifts		1

Where to ski with kids in Ordino-Arcalís

This is an ideal ski resort for kids, as it has 9 easy slopes. One of them, the Megaverde slope, is the longest in the Pyrenees with low difficulty (it is 8 kilometres long): it is perfect for children to have a long run to gain confidence; on the other hand, if they get easily overwhelmed, it is better to avoid it and opt for another shorter slope. Families shouldn't miss the Kids Forest either, a themed area with underground tunnels, characters that will delight the little ones, different modules and many more surprises.

Après-ski in Andorra

A trip to the snow does not only mean going skiing. The ski resorts open all morning and close early in the afternoon (except for those areas that offer night skiing or snow parks). This means that from 5pm onwards, there is still plenty of daylight left to enjoy your holiday: this is known as 'après-ski'. There are plenty of places to visit in Andorra and there is something for everyone: from those who want to laugh and share anecdotes over drinks in bars and restaurants, to those who want to go sightseeing in the natural landscapes and villages of the area, go shopping (of course, in Andorra!), relax in thermal spas or continue practising sporting activities. You will find all this and much more in Andorra.

Bars and parties

Don't let the party stop! There are many places where you can have a drink, meet people or even flirt: L'Après Amélie, a large terrace at Funicamp (Grandvalira); the Snowclub in El Tarter (Grandvalira); the Derby Irish Pub in Arinsal; the Xaloc pub in Ordino with a young atmosphere and music to get your skeleton moving; the lively restaurant Món Bohemi, with lots of university students and skiers having dinner and a drink after lunch. Another option that doesn't fail is to experience the city's nightlife, Andorra la Vella.

Shopping

Except for Andorra residents, it is difficult to leave Andorra without visiting any of its shopping centres, which are an annual pilgrimage for many people who cross borders (both Spanish and French). There are many shopping centres in Andorra la Vella, Escaldes and the surrounding area. These are the places you can't miss because of their popularity:

• CCA-Super U, to buy food, alcohol, tobacco and duty free cigars.
• Andorra 2000, a shopping centre where you can buy everything you need, with shops spread over more than 4,500 square metres.
• Híper Andorra E.Leclerc, a two-storey complex ideal for buying all kinds of articles, especially food.
• Illa Carlemany, a shopping centre where you can lose yourself in its 40,000 square metres (yes, you read that right), with shops selling all kinds of items: perfumery, cosmetics, decoration, jewellery, watches, technology, clothing...
• Pyrinées Andorra, which is on the border with France, in Pas de la Casa. Perfect for looking for exclusive brands in food, fashion and beauty.
• "La Calle de las Tiendas" or "The Shopping Mile". This is the commercial artery that links Andorra la Vella with Escaldes-Engordany and where you can combine shopping with a sightseeing tour of the city. The most emblematic streets are Meritxell Avenue, Fener Boulevard and Vivand.

Relax

It's not all about working out. After an intense day's skiing, we're sure to feel like a little rest and a treat. What better place to do this than the Caldea spa, the popular thermal centre which is the largest in southern Europe? It opened its doors in 1994 and since then it has not ceased to be a reference in the wellness and wellbeing sector. It has proposals for all types of public: Termolúdico, a space for families and friends to have a good time; Inúu, where only adults can enter to relax; Likids, an area designed for children; and Orígenes, with exotic bathing areas.

Less well known but equally special is Anyós Park, in Escaldes-Engordany. Be sure to try the impressive spa, which also has the Caria Paris beauty centre.

Activities

There are many activities you can do, apart from skiing, in and around Andorra's resorts. Here are some ideas:

• Andorra's Palau de Gel (Ice Palace), with 1,800 square metres of ice for skating or ice karting, ice hockey and football, curling, ballon balai, etc.
• Sightseeing in places such as the Tristaina lakes, the charming Pyrenean villages or the more than 40 Romanesque churches, very well preserved, built between the 8th and 13th centuries. Today Andorra has two spectacular viewpoints that are well worth a visit: Mirador de Tristania and Roc del Quer.
• Snowmobile or snowshoe routes around the ski slopes. They also rent equipment and offer guided routes with instructors if it is the first time you use them.
• Naturlandia: Andorra's adventure park offers a multitude of activities for all ages. From zip-lines to climbing walls and the famous tobotronc, Estiber offers Naturlandia packages with hotel so you can find the best deals.
• The Vivac Arcalís Experience, a guided adventure to sleep in the lakes of Tristaina or on an Andorran peak. It includes an inflatable mattress and a special bag to withstand the low temperatures.

Where to sleep in Andorra

There are many accommodations that are prepared to meet your needs on your trip to the snowy Andorra. You can either choose to sleep in the city, Andorra la Vella, or if you want to be close to the hustle and bustle in the evenings, a hotel in Andorra with a heated swimming pool and spa area, or you can look for the peace and quiet and comfort of sleeping at the foot of the slopes or staying in the beautiful Pyrenean villages in the surrounding area. These are our recommendations.

Accommodation in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes Engordany

If you prefer to stay in the city and then go to the slopes the next day, you will find a wide and varied range of options to suit all budgets and levels of demand. We recommend the following hotels in the capital:

Hotel Panorama in Escaldes

The best thing about it is its location, right in the commercial centre of the city and only 300 metres from Caldea (about 3 minutes on foot). The 4-star hotel has all the services you would expect from a four-star hotel: free spa (for guests), jacuzzi, sauna, gym and heated swimming pool.

Hotel Jaume I

For those on a tighter budget, this comfortable hotel is a 15-minute walk from the centre. There is no lack of common areas, solarium, terrace. It also has a restaurant offering local and international cuisine.

Hotel Mola Park

A centrally located 4-star hotel, just 100 metres from the Caldea facilities. With a good score from users for a more than remarkable quality-price ratio.

Accommodation in La Massana

From here we can access the cable car that takes us to the slopes of the Pal sector. We recommend these hotels:

Hotel Pui

Very close to the cable car, 30 metres away. It offers central heating, free minibar, safe, free wifi, car park and ski lockers, among others.

Hotel Rutllan

In this case, this 4-star hotel is 20 metres from the cable car. Its main feature is that it has a wide range of activities on offer: indoor swimming pool, spa, gymnasium...

Accommodation in Arinsal

The Lodge at Ribasol Apartments

You will find them right at the foot of the slopes and only 100 metres from the village, where you will have everything you need (restaurants, supermarkets, etc). Ideal for not wasting time travelling. It offers parking, free wifi, ski lockers and allows you to take your pets with you at no extra charge.

Hotel Diana

This five-star hotel is ideal for those looking for added value in their accommodation. It is just a five-minute walk from Arinsal and offers many suites and rooms equipped in a very modern style. There are spa facilities, children's club, heated pool and an outdoor pool for the summer, gymnasium... Perfect for the more discerning skier.

Princesa Park Hotel

This is a four-star hotel located 200 metres from the cable car that leads to the ski slopes of the Arinsal sector. It is also very appropriate due to its proximity. It offers everything you need to make your stay complete: internet connection, car park, heated outdoor swimming pool and other activities such as bowling, billiards, gym and also a buffet restaurant so that you don't even have to leave the hotel to eat.

Hotel Xalet Verdú

This three-star accommodation is just 200 metres from the cable car. It is good value for money, perfect for those looking to save on sleep without losing out on comfort. The hotel has 52 exterior rooms with good views and its decoration is very cosy, following a typical Pyrenean style. There is no shortage of services to round off your stay: outdoor swimming pool, terrace, garden, ski lockers and spa service with massage (for a fee).

Accommodation in Soldeu 

Hotel Galanthus

With remarkable value for money. Hotel Himalaia Soldeu (4 stars), good location. For the most demanding, Sport Hotel Hermitage (5 stars).

Accommodation in Canillo 

Hotel Roc de Castell, Hotel Bonavida, with half board. Hotel Font d'Árgent Canillo (4 stars), with spa.

Accommodation in Encamp 

Hotel Euroski (4 stars) and Hotel Univers (3 stars), popular with skiers. Hotel Cosmos Andorra, 100 metres from Caldea.

Accommodation in Pas de la Casa 

Hotel Catalunya, Hotel Grand Pas, good hotels at the foot of the slopes.

Accommodation in El Tarter 

Apartamentos Pierre & Vacances Alaska, accommodation at the foot of the slopes, ideal for not having to travel. Another good option is the Hotel Spa Llop Gris (4 stars), next to the Tarter cable car.

Accommodation in Grau Roig

Hotels very close to the slopes (two or three minutes on foot), such as Andorra Boutique Hotel & Spa, which offers relaxation after skiing.

Accommodation in Ordino 

Hotel Sucarà

Family-run 3-star accommodation at good prices with free parking, wifi, terrace, bar and lounge.

Hotel Niunit

Small 4 star accommodation with wifi, free parking, sauna, jacuzzi, bicycle rental and pets allowed.

Hotel&Spa Xalet Bringué

4-star hotel ideal for a couple's getaway. It has wifi, parking, spa, restaurant and ski equipment rental.

Hotel el Pradet

Modest 3-star hotel with all the comforts: bar, restaurant and wifi, among others.

Where to eat in Andorra

Andorra's gastronomic offer is very complete. Due to its international nature, as it is visited by tourists and skiers from all over the world, its menu also includes local gastronomy as well as dishes from other parts of the world. You can also choose to dine in the hotel itself; there are many hotels with half board in Andorra. Here are the options for lunch and dinner in the ski stations and in the surrounding villages.

Grandvalira

In the Pas de la Casa sector you will find the Mediterranean cuisine restaurant Coll Blanc KSB and the Self-Service Costa Rodona. In Soldeu, the high-end bistro Wine & Meat Bar by Jean Leon; La Cabana d'Espiolets specialising in fresh pasta, grilled meats and spoon dishes; and the Pasta Box, with fast but quality Italian-style food. In El Tarter, Restaurant Arrocería Pi de Migdia, La Trattoria, Pi de Migdia (a bit of everything), Burger & Drink and Frankfurt Gourmet, the latter two for a quick, quality bite. In the Encamp sector, El Racó de Solanelles, Sef-service Solanelles and AndBurguer Zero (delicious burgers). In the Grau Roig sector, the self-service Cubil, the Refugi del Llac de Pessons, the Vodka Bar, the 3 Estanys restaurant, the Brasería Piolet restaurant and Burger Brothers (gourmet hamburgers). In Canillo, El Roc de Les Bruixes (mountain cuisine) and La Cuina del Forn (self-service).

Pal-Arinsal

In the Pal sector, Rústic, Taverna de Pal, Cow Bella, Expresso, Self Service Pal, Xiringuito and Plat de la Cot. In Coll de la Botella, Xiringuito del Coll de la Botella, Grill del Coll de la Botella and Bristrot del Coll de la Botella. In the Arinsal sector, Xalet Igloo, The Terrace and Self-service Arinsal. Don't miss the ski resort's themed dinners at Pla de la Cot (Pal), Grill and/or Bistrot in Coll de la Botella, or Xalet Igloo (Arinsal), a gastronomic experience under the starry sky.

Ordino-Arcalís

One of the main characteristics of the restaurants in this ski resort is its commitment to serving local food. Thus, 75% of the products you will eat here come from Andorran producers, a good opportunity to try local food. In l'Hortell, you can go to Restaurant Il Pizzo or Terraza Moritz. In Els Planells, Restaurant Els Planells, Corner Dulce (all gluten-free), Restaurant Quicknic and Self-Service Planells. In La Coma, Hamburguesería (with Andorran beef, they also have sandwiches), Restaurant la Borda de la Coma and Barbacoa El Caliu. One of the best experiences is to eat at Refugio de les Portelles, the highest restaurant in Andorra (at 2,500m), which can only be reached by skiing or by ratrack; it is also possible to dine in this magical setting, although you must book in advance.