Essential Travel Ski Guides

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Travel to Andorra with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Andorra is ideally located in the Pyranees mountain range, between France and Spain, and takes up just 450 square kilometres. The principality is most famous for its duty-free goods and quality skiing. Though it is tiny, Andorra contains some of the most dramatic scenery and the best skiing in the Pyrenees. Additionally, there are plenty of good hiking opportunities in the high, remote parts of the country. The ski season begins around December and lasts through March, though many resorts prolong the season well into springtime with snowmaking machines.

Pal – Arinsal ski resort is north of the capital, La Vella, and is well suited to beginners or lower intermediate skiers. There is excellent childcare offered here, making the resort a good family destination; while the lively nightlife is appealing to younger crowds. The two small Alpine villages of Pal and Arinsal both offer a range of budget accommodation. A wider selection of bars and discos can be found at La Vella.

Ordino – Arcalis is located in a scenic protected area on the southern slopes of the Pyranees, in the northwestern region of Andorra. The ski resort boasts a high quality of snow, plus an extended winter due to its location. The village of Ordino has a range of hotels while, El Serrat is the nearest option for lodging close to the slopes. A variety of cafés offer après-ski and night-time activities, and there are also duty-free shops and sports outlets.

Pas de la Casa – Grau Roig ski resort aims of offer ideal winter package holidays to young people on a tight budget. The resort is nestled in the east, on the French/Andorran border. One hundred kilometres of pistes covering the linked areas of Grau Roig and Soldeu make this the largest ski area in the Pyrenees. The resort is most popular with snowboarders, as the slopes are perfect for cruising.

Soldeu – El-Tarter resort is in the centre of Canillo, and is one of the most popular resorts in the area. It caters mainly to beginners and early intermediates, and the ski school at Soldeu is one of the most highly rated in Europe. A scattering of discos supplement the nightlife, which is bar-based.

The only way into Andorra is by road and the major routes include the CG1 from Spain and the CG2 from France. The nearest airports are in Barcelona and Girona in Spain, and Toulouse-Blagnac in France. The nearest train station, LHospitalet-près-lAndorre, is in France, two hours south of Toulouse by rail. From there, daily buses make the two-hour trip to La Vella. The nearest Spanish railway station is about 40kms east of the Andorran border at Puigcerdà, and also has daily bus connections. Buses also go to Andorra from many cities in Spain and France.

Travellers put themselves at risk of accidents when travelling in unfamiliar countries. Additionally, skiing and snowboarding can result in injuries. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you or your family when skiing in Andorra

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