Skiing in Andorra in the 2026/27 season means choosing between three resorts: Grandvalira (215 km), Pal Arinsal (63 km) and Ordino Arcalís (30.5 km), all run under the Grandvalira Resorts brand, with opening planned for 4 December 2026 and closing on 4 April 2027, snow permitting. A single Andorra Pass covers all three and gives you access to up to 308 km of slopes.
This guide covers what each resort and each Grandvalira sector offers, which lift pass suits you, where to ski for your level, how to get there from the UK, Ireland, Spain or France, where to stay, skiing with children and how to sort your gear. Every figure comes from official sources, linked throughout.
Quick summary
- 2026/27 season: 4/12/2026 to 4/4/2027 at all three resorts, with general slope hours of 9:00 to 17:00.
- Grandvalira: 215 km and 142 runs across seven sectors, from Encamp to Pas de la Casa.
- Pal Arinsal (La Massana): 63 km for all levels, reached by gondola from La Massana and Arinsal.
- Ordino Arcalís: 30.5 km and Andorra’s freeride hotspot, host of the Freeride World Tour.
- Adult Andorra Pass season ticket: €539 resident, €1,019 non-resident (price valid until 9 December).
- Winter tyres or snow chains are mandatory from 1 November to 15 May.
- Andorra is outside the EU, so EU roaming rules do not apply.
In this guide
2026/27 season dates and hours
All three resorts are planning to open on 4 December 2026 and close on 4 April 2027. Dates depend on snow, so check the official Grandvalira opening times, the Pal Arinsal calendar and Ordino Arcalís opening times a few days before you travel.
General slope hours are 9:00 to 17:00. Grandvalira also sells a half-day pass, valid from 13:00, and a night pass, which is handy if you arrive in the afternoon and want to make the most of that first day.
Andorra’s three ski resorts
Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís make up Grandvalira Resorts, which has been part of the Ikon Pass since 2022. Each resort has a distinct character.
| Resort | Pistes | Altitude | Runs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grandvalira | 215 km | 1,710–2,640 m | 142 (23 green, 53 blue, 46 red, 20 black) | Big linked area, seven sectors, all levels |
| Pal Arinsal | 63 km | 1,550–2,560 m | 48 per the resort dossier (7 very easy, 20 easy, 17 difficult, 4 very difficult) | All levels, freeride and a winter bike park |
| Ordino Arcalís | 30.5 km | 1,940–2,625 m | 27 (8 green, 6 blue, 11 red, 2 black) | Freeride, open terrain, an 8.5 km green run |
Grandvalira sector by sector
Grandvalira is Andorra’s largest resort: 215 km, 1,986 hectares and 930 metres of vertical, according to the official season dossier. It is split into seven sectors:
- Encamp: the first access point coming from Spain and the closest to Andorra la Vella and Escaldes, served by the Funicamp (a funitel of around 6 km up to Solanelles). See ski rental in Encamp.
- Canillo: geared to families and beginners, with the Mon(t) Magic kids’ circuit and a gondola from the village. More on skiing in Canillo.
- El Tarter: snowpark, a rider-focused vibe and a free 850-space car park. See ski rental in El Tarter.
- Soldeu: wide, steep runs, the Avet piste (venue of the FIS World Cup Finals in 2019 and 2023), a family feel and après-ski. Here is our page on ski rental in Soldeu.
- Peretol: home to the Sunsetpark by Henrik Harlaut.
- Grau Roig: the most natural sector, with no village, and home to the Sunrisepark Xavi.
- Pas de la Casa: the first entry point from France. See ski rental in Pas de la Casa.
Pal Arinsal
Pal Arinsal, in the parish of La Massana, has 63 km, 707 hectares and 32 lifts. The dossier lists 48 runs and the official website says 47. You get up via the La Massana gondola (16-seat cabins), the Arinsal gondola (Els Orriols) from the village, or by car: Pal via the CG-4 and Arinsal via the CG-5. A cable car links the two sectors.
It works for all levels, with 2 Fun Cross courses, 3 freeride zones and a Winter Bike Park. There is a free bus in La Massana and free parking at each sector, according to Visit Andorra. If you are torn between this and the big one, read our comparison Grandvalira vs Pal Arinsal.
Ordino Arcalís
Ordino Arcalís is the smallest by distance (30.5 km, 442 hectares and 16 lifts), but it starts highest, at 1,940 m. It is Andorra’s freeride benchmark, with 21 zones and 120 itineraries, a Freeride World Tour venue and host of the first FIS Freeride World Championships, held from 1 to 6 February 2026.
It is not just for experts: the Megaverda, an 8.5 km green run, has been turned into a Kids Forest. Access is via the CG-3, 14 km from Ordino, and the car park holds 1,500 cars (official source).
Which resort for your level
There is no single “best resort”: it depends on your level, who you are travelling with and where you are staying. This table matches each profile to a resort.
| Profile | Where to go | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner or family | Canillo (Grandvalira), Pal Arinsal, the Megaverda at Ordino Arcalís | Mon(t) Magic circuit, an all-levels resort, an 8.5 km green run |
| Intermediate | Grandvalira | 53 blue and 46 red runs in one linked area |
| Advanced | Soldeu and the rest of Grandvalira | Wide, steep runs, the Avet and 20 black runs |
| Freeride | Ordino Arcalís, plus Pal Arinsal | 21 zones and 120 itineraries at Arcalís; 3 freeride zones at Pal Arinsal |
| Freestyle and park | El Tarter, Grau Roig, Peretol, Pal Arinsal | Three snowparks at Grandvalira and 2 Fun Cross at Pal Arinsal |
If it is your first time
A beginner needs green and blue runs and a ski school nearby, and Canillo, Pal Arinsal and the Megaverda all tick those boxes. Before you go, read our tips for your first day skiing in Andorra and the guide to what ski equipment a beginner needs.
Lift passes: types, prices and how to buy
Andorra has several lift pass options, and it pays to understand them before you buy.
Multi-resort passes
- Andorra Pass: valid at all three resorts, available as a multi-day pass (from 2 days) or a season pass. It covers up to 308 km of pistes.
- Nord Pass: covers Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís, plus up to 4 days at Grandvalira for non-residents.
- Mountain Pass and Mobile Pass: further options; check the conditions on the official website.
Adult season pass prices for 2026/27, valid until 9 December according to the official season pass page:
| Adult season pass | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Andorra Pass | €539 | €1,019 |
| Nord Pass | €329 | €788 |
Day and multi-day passes at Grandvalira
Grandvalira sells full-day, half-day (from 13:00), beginner, pedestrian, night and snowpark passes. Day pass prices are dynamic and change with the date, so check the official day pass page. Multi-day passes of 2 or more consecutive days are also valid at Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís.
Buying online in advance can save you up to 15%.
Age categories
At Grandvalira, your category is set by your age on the first day of skiing:
- Baby: up to 5 years, free with proof of age. The pass is collected at the ticket office and must be carried.
- Child: 6 to 11.
- Junior: 12 to 17.
- Adult: 18 to 64.
- Senior: 65 to 69 and 70 to 74.
- 75 and over: free.
At Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís age rules may differ, so check the exact age on their websites before buying. Some agencies advertise children’s offers on certain dates; always confirm on the official website.
Getting to Andorra
You can reach Andorra by car, by bus, or by combining a train or flight with a bus transfer. These are the official distances to Grandvalira, according to the Grandvalira access page: La Seu d’Urgell 27 km, Lleida-Alguaire 150 km, Carcassonne 176 km, Toulouse 195 km, Barcelona-El Prat 200 km, Reus 240 km and Girona 260 km. If you are flying from the UK or Ireland, those airports are your gateways.
By car
From Spain you enter via La Seu d’Urgell and the CG-1. From France, via the N-22 and Pas de la Casa. That route crosses the Port d’Envalira (2,408 m), with a tunnel of almost 3 km whose 2026 toll is €8.10 for cars. Remember Andorra drives on the right, like Spain and France.
By bus
- From Barcelona: Directbus (from Sants and El Prat airport), AndBus (from El Prat) and ALSA (from Estació del Nord). The journey takes around 3 hours.
- From Toulouse: Andbybus leaves from Matabiau station and the airport, which also lists Andbus and Flixbus. Expect a few hours on the road.
- From Madrid: high-speed AVE train to Lleida and then a bus (AndBus, ALSA or HIFE), or a direct overnight bus.
By train and plane
From France, the stations at L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre and La Tour de Carol connect with HIFE buses. Some routes run on a provisional basis because of the RN20 closure, so check the service before you set off. From Andorra–La Seu airport there is a free shuttle to Andorra taking around an hour, bookable at andbus.net. According to announcements, from 1 January 2027 Chalair will fly to Paris-Orly, Madrid and Palma, plus seasonal routes to Nantes, Nice and Lyon.
Getting around without a car
Inside Andorra, the Funicamp has a free Park & Ride in Encamp with the Funibus, plus bus line L2 from Andorra la Vella. Lines L3 and L4 serve the Canillo gondola. A free Ski Bus runs between Grandvalira sectors. Line L5 (Andorra la Vella–Arinsal) serves Pal Arinsal and line L6 goes to Ordino. Timetables are on bus.ad.
Where to stay
Here is how each base connects to the slopes:
- Pas de la Casa: direct access to Grandvalira and the first entry point from France.
- Soldeu: 4 and 5-star hotels at the foot of the slopes.
- El Tarter: free 850-space car park.
- Canillo: gondola from the village.
- Encamp: Funicamp up to the slopes.
- Andorra la Vella and Escaldes: around 10 minutes by car to Encamp, or bus L2. If you stay here, see ski rental in Andorra la Vella.
- La Massana: gondola to Pal Arinsal. See ski rental in La Massana.
- Arinsal: Els Orriols gondola from the village.
- Ordino: Arcalís is 14 km away on the CG-3.
Skiing with kids
All three resorts have a ski school and kids’ areas, with slightly different age ranges.
- Grandvalira: 7 snow gardens and themed kids’ areas: Kids Forest in Encamp, Grau Roig and Pas de la Casa; Mon(t) Magic in Canillo; Turbo Snow Explorers in El Tarter; and Yôkai in Soldeu. The Snow Garden takes 3 to 6-year-olds (introduction at age 3, lessons from 4 to 5) in Canillo, El Tarter, Soldeu, Grau Roig, Pas de la Casa and Encamp. The Kids Program covers ages 3 to 11, and there are nurseries for ages 1 to 6 in Canillo, Soldeu, El Tarter and Grau Roig.
- Pal Arinsal: Snow Garden for ages 3 to 5 at La Caubella (Pal) and Comallemple (Arinsal), a Kids Program for 3 to 11 and a nursery (the age varies depending on the page).
- Ordino Arcalís: nursery for ages 1 to 3, Snow Garden for 3 to 6 and Kids Program for 3 to 11.
With children, gear logistics matter more. We have a guide to kids ski rental in Andorra and another on how to choose ski and boot sizes. Aconcagua’s Junior range includes a helmet and is delivered to your accommodation, so you can book the whole family’s gear in one order.
Ski hire: shop or hotel delivery
Without your own kit, you can hire from a shop by the slopes or have it delivered to your accommodation. At the shop, day one usually means queuing, trying on boots and lugging everything to the lift; with kids or a group, that time multiplies.
The alternative is getting your gear where you sleep. At Aconcagua Ski Delivery we bring ski and snowboard hire to any accommodation in Andorra, whether you are skiing Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal or Ordino Arcalís. Delivery and collection are free:
- We drop it off the afternoon before your first day, so on the first morning you head straight to the slopes.
- You book a time slot and that hour is reserved for your order alone. There is a late-night supplement from 23:00.
- Hire from 1 to 14 days; 1-day bookings need 2 or more people.
- We collect on your last day. If you are out, leave it in the hotel ski room or at the Grandvalira El Tarter car park between 15:00 and 17:00.
Which range to choose
A pack includes skis or a board, boots and poles. Bring your own boots and the price drops. The ranges are:
- Silver: beginner, for green and blue runs.
- Gold: intermediate.
- Platinum: top of the range.
- Junior: ages 4 to 12, helmet included.
Adult helmets and damage cover are optional. You pay online through Redsys and get an email confirmation with a PDF. To save, type the code ACONCAGUA20 manually in the final basket for 20% off. You will find rates on our ski rental prices in Andorra page and the full process in the ski rental with hotel delivery guide. Once your dates are fixed, you can book your gear online in a few steps.
Practical tips before you travel
Winter tyres and snow chains
From 1 November to 15 May winter equipment is compulsory in Andorra: winter tyres on all four wheels with at least 3 mm of tread, or snow chains. Chains are only used when there is snow on the road, go on the drive wheels and limit you to 50 km/h. If you are hiring a car in Barcelona or Toulouse, ask for winter tyres or chains when you book.
Road conditions are announced in phases, according to the official winter mobility guide:
- Yellow: winter tyres or equipment required, maximum 60 km/h.
- Red: chains for everyone, maximum 30 km/h.
- Black: road closed.
Check conditions at mobilitat.ad or on +376 1802 1802 before setting off, especially if you are crossing the Port d’Envalira.
Roaming and mobile data
Andorra is not in the EU, so EU roaming rules do not apply. Check your provider’s rates before you cross the border.
Money and documents
Andorra uses the euro. Spanish citizens need an ID card or passport; if you are travelling from elsewhere, check the entry requirements for your nationality before you go.
Emergency numbers
- 112: general emergencies and mountain rescue.
- 110: police.
- 116: medical emergencies.
- 118: fire service.
Frequently asked questions
When do the ski slopes open in Andorra for 2026/27?
Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís plan to open on 4 December 2026 and close on 4 April 2027, snow permitting. General slope hours are 9:00 to 17:00. Check each resort’s official website a few days before you travel.
What is the best ski resort in Andorra?
It depends on your profile. Grandvalira is the biggest, with 215 km and seven sectors for all levels; Pal Arinsal offers 63 km for all levels near La Massana; and Ordino Arcalís is the freeride benchmark. With an Andorra Pass you can try all three.
Which Andorra resort is best for beginners?
Canillo, in Grandvalira, is aimed at families and beginners and has the Mon(t) Magic kids’ circuit. Pal Arinsal suits all levels, and Ordino Arcalís has the Megaverda, an 8.5 km green run. Grandvalira also sells a dedicated beginner pass.
How much is a Grandvalira lift pass?
Grandvalira day passes are dynamically priced, so they change by date; check the official website, where buying in advance can save up to 15%. The adult Andorra Pass season ticket, valid at all three resorts, costs €539 for residents and €1,019 for non-residents if bought before 9 December.
At what age do children pay for a lift pass in Andorra?
At Grandvalira, children up to 5 ski free with proof of age, and the child rate applies from 6 to 11. The category is set by age on the first day of skiing. At Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís, check the exact age on their websites, as conditions may differ.
How much does skiing in Andorra cost?
The cost depends on your lift pass, accommodation, travel and equipment. As an official reference, the adult Andorra Pass season ticket costs €539 resident and €1,019 non-resident, while Grandvalira day passes are dynamically priced.
How do I get to Andorra to ski?
By car, you enter from Spain via La Seu d’Urgell and the CG-1, or from France via the N-22 and Pas de la Casa. Buses run from Barcelona (around 3 hours), Toulouse and Madrid. You can also take the train to L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre or La Tour de Carol and continue by bus.
Is there roaming in Andorra and do I need snow chains?
Andorra is outside the EU, so EU roaming rules do not apply and you should check your provider’s rates. From 1 November to 15 May, winter tyres on all four wheels or snow chains are mandatory. Road conditions are published at mobilitat.ad.
Keep reading
- Grandvalira vs Pal Arinsal: where to ski
- First day skiing in Andorra: tips
- Where to rent skis in Andorra
- How much does ski rental cost in Andorra?
- Snowboard rental in Andorra with delivery
Sources
- Grandvalira: 2026/2027 season passes on sale
- Pal Arinsal: Grandvalira Resorts and the Ikon Pass
- Grandvalira Resorts season dossier
- Visit Andorra: Grandvalira
- Visit Andorra: Pal Arinsal
- Ordino Arcalís: about the resort
- Grandvalira: opening times
- Grandvalira: day passes and age categories
- 2026/27 season passes
- Grandvalira: how to get there and park
- Visit Andorra: winter mobility guide
- Toulouse-Blagnac Airport: bus connections