Location :
Andorra is a small county about 40 X 40 miles and somewhat shaped like a diamond.
It is located in the Pyrenees between France and Spain midway along the boarder. It is about 3 hours by bus from Barcelona, Spain and Toulouse, France. Andorra is an independent country having its origins back to an agreement between the French and Spanish Monarchy. Currently it is overseen by the French Government and Spanish King. It is fully independent and has it not part of the EU somewhat like Switzerland. Before the introduction of the Euro both the Spanish Paseta and French Franc were used alongside one another. Now it does have a full customs boarder and tourists will need their passports to enter Andorra by road from Spain or France and they may be checked.
In Andorra the language de franco is Catalan but the residents—mostly Andorran citizens—also speak Spanish and many speak French and English.
Andorra is a three-hour bus ride from Barcelona and Toulouse. We recommend flying into Barcelona and staying pre or post ski in Barcelona for two or three nights.
The country has three main ski areas. The first and largest called Grandvalira starts in the center of the country about 15km East of Andorra la Vella (the cosmopolitan capital) and extends East almost 20km to the French boarder at Pas de la Casa. This ski starts in the villages of Canillo and as you go East following the Valira steam valley you come to Soldeu, then Grau Roig (which is very small) and then Pas de la Casa (which is party central and famous for its nightlife and duty free alcohol). The villages are all linked by the ski area and ultra-modern ski lifts which extend above them on the North facing slopes, mountains and bowls above the valley. It is possible to ski from Grau Roig to just above Canillo (there is no run down to Canillo exactly) in about 90 minutes. The ski area has a vertical drop of about 4 500 feet and has a wide variety of terrain to suit all skier levels. The ski area has about 5000 acres of groomed and un groomed in bounds terrain. The ski area has nearly 200kms of runs. The snow is normally deep, dry and plentiful but in poor snow years the modern snowmaking system picks up the slack and ensures an efficient operation. By mid-January the resort is normally fully open with a deep snow base. Because it faces North the snow stays dry through around Late March. The ski area has about 60 lifts and a lift capacity of at least 30, 000 skiers/hour.
There are two other ski areas are Pal-Arinsal and Arcalis marketed together as Vallnord. They offer a more remote ski experience however are two small for a full week stay alone especially for a group who likes to ski.
Pal-Arinsal offers unique tree skiing amidst Pinon and Eucolyptus trees. It has a vertical drop of about 4000 feet. It has some very high terrain. It has about 70km of runs and 20 lifts. It has about 2000 acres of terrain.
Arcalis is definitely worth a day trip and although it can be covered in one day you may want two or even three. It is located in a very remote setting and offers skiing in a natural undeveloped state. From the top of the ski area one can see all the way into Spain, France and even the highest peaks of the Central Pyrenees. I highly recommend at least one or two days in Arcalis. It has excellent out of bounds terrain, a near 5,000 foot vertical drop and is high and somewhat less wide of a mountain than GrandValira. It has about 80km of runs and 20 lifts and about 1500 acres of terrain.
Due to being on the edge of the Central European time zone it does not get dark here until about 6PM in January. By March the days extend until about 7PM. I remember the lifts closing in bright afternoon sunshine.
Multi-day ski passes are possible for the ski areas of GrandValira, or for Arcalis and Pal-Arinsal which share the Vallnord ski pass. Guests staying in Andorra la Vella may opt for the all Andorra ski pass which covers all resorts and offers a non-consecutive day option.
--The Thermal Park Caldea located just outside and above Andorra la Vella offers a one of a kind ludic bathing experience. The complex has many hot pools, Jacuzzis, and private soaking facilities.
--Andorra-la-Veilla also offers excellent duty-free shopping.
--The French towns of Toulouse, and Carcassonne are closer than 3 hours by bus and recognized by the French government for their art and history patrimony.
--The Andorran village of Ordino on the way to the Arcalis ski area is a Unesco world heritage town. It is famous for its miniature museum.
The Art hotel (four stars) offers affordable luxury in a cosmopolitan setting.
The ski bus stop is around the corner or groups may request to have private buses.
Magic Hotel (four stars) beneath Val Nord is adjacent to the gondola going up Val Nord.
Canillo
The Ski Plaza is located in Canillo about 200 yards from the Gondola and offers affordable five star luxery.
Soldeu
There are several three and four star hotels that offer ski in ski out but they are more expensive (about 200-300 per person per week than the costs listed below).
Grau Roig
Here there is one beautiful ski in ski out hotel but there is not much else. Groups looking for a remote high mountain ski experience will be happy here. The resort non-ski snow activities center (snowmobiling, X country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing) is located here.
Pas de la Casa
If you would like more moderately priced ski in ski out consider Pas de la Casa in January or March. But be aware Pas de la Casa is a party town popular with young Brits. Here you will not feel like you are in Andorra. Also the town has many ugly concrete buildings and its proximity to the French boarder (the town is geographically in France, water from snow melt flows East here to France.
Andorra is surprisingly affordable.
For all the above properties we propose expect to pay about $1200-$1500 per person per week from any Air France gateway in the USA. If you would like to go during February I recommend staying in Canillo because the Magic in Val Nord and the Art Hotel charge more while the Ski Plaza does not raise rates during February. Outside of February all hotels charge about the same with the exception of the Art Hotel who may cost a little bit less than Val Nord Magic or the Ski Plaza in Canillo. During February the ski in ski out hotels in Soldeu and Pas de la Casa are very expensive. During January and March the premium for this convenience is less.