Where to stay for skiing in Andorra depends on the resort: for Grandvalira, the bases are Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp; for Pal Arinsal, La Massana and Arinsal; and for Ordino Arcalís, the village of Ordino. Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany work as a valley base, about 10 minutes by car from Encamp or on the L2 bus, with road and bus access to all three resorts.
This guide goes through each area: which sector it serves, how you get to the snow, who it suits, and its pros and cons. It also explains why staying in the valley or a less central village makes more sense when your gear is delivered to your door and you no longer depend on a ski shop next to the lift.
Quick summary
- Grandvalira has seven sectors: Encamp, Canillo, El Tarter, Soldeu, Peretol, Grau Roig and Pas de la Casa.
- Encamp is the first access point from Spain and the closest to Andorra la Vella and Escaldes, thanks to the Funicamp.
- Pas de la Casa is the first access point from France; Grau Roig is the most natural sector and has no village.
- Soldeu has 4- and 5-star hotels right at the slopes; Canillo has a gondola from the village and a strong family focus.
- La Massana and Arinsal connect to Pal Arinsal by gondola; Ordino is 14 km from Arcalís on the CG-3.
- The 2026/27 season is scheduled from 4 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, snow permitting.
- With ski delivery you can choose where to stay on price or comfort, not on which rental shop is next door.
In this guide
- How to choose an area before you book
- Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig
- Soldeu and El Tarter
- Canillo and Encamp
- Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany
- La Massana and Arinsal
- Ordino
- Comparison table of bases
- Which area suits your profile
- Why ski delivery changes the decision
- Getting around in winter
- Frequently asked questions
How to choose an area before you book
Andorra is small, but in winter distance is measured in mountain roads, passes and queues at the lifts. So decide first which resort you will ski on most days, then look for accommodation near its main access point. Three ski areas sit under the Grandvalira Resorts umbrella: Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís.
Grandvalira is the biggest, with 215 km of slopes and an altitude range from 1,710 to 2,640 metres, according to the official season dossier. Pal Arinsal has 63 km and Ordino Arcalís 30.5 km, with a reputation as a freeride benchmark. If you are torn between the first two, read our comparison Grandvalira vs Pal Arinsal: where to ski.
Three questions that settle the decision
- Are you arriving from Spain or France? From Spain you come in via La Seu d’Urgell and the CG-1, so Encamp and the central valley are on your way. From France you arrive via the N-22 and Pas de la Casa.
- Do you need ski school, a nursery or gentle slopes? Canillo, El Tarter, Soldeu and Grau Roig have nurseries in Grandvalira, and snow gardens are spread across almost every sector.
- Will you mix resorts? A Grandvalira multi-day pass of two or more consecutive days is also valid at Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís. If you plan to alternate, a central base saves you driving.
Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig: the high side of Grandvalira
Pas de la Casa
Pas de la Casa gives direct access to Grandvalira and is the first gateway from France. If you are coming from Toulouse or southern France, you arrive via the N-22. The sector has a Kids Forest area and a Snow Garden for children aged 3 to 6.
- Best for: visitors arriving from France, skiers who want to head straight from their accommodation onto Grandvalira’s slopes, and families using the sector’s snow garden.
- Pros: direct access to the ski area, easy arrival from France, children’s facilities in the sector itself.
- Cons: reaching Pal Arinsal or Ordino Arcalís means crossing the whole country, and from the Andorran side you get there over the Port d’Envalira (2,408 m) or through the toll tunnel.
Grau Roig
Grau Roig is Grandvalira’s most natural sector and has no village. It is home to Sunrisepark Xavi, one of the ski area’s three snowparks, plus Kids Forest, a Snow Garden and a nursery for children aged 1 to 6.
- Best for: skiers who want a mountain setting with no town around them, riders looking for the snowpark, and families who value having a nursery.
- Pros: quiet alpine setting, full children’s facilities, snowpark.
- Cons: with no village, there is very little to do off the slopes; many families sleep at another base and drive up.
Soldeu and El Tarter: the heart of Grandvalira
Soldeu
Soldeu is the base with 4- and 5-star hotels at the slopes. According to the official sector page, it offers wide, steep runs, the Avet slope (host of the FIS World Cup Finals in 2019 and 2023) and an atmosphere that blends family-friendly with après-ski. For little ones there is the Yôkai area, a Snow Garden and a nursery.
- Best for: intermediate and advanced skiers, couples and families looking for upscale accommodation by the slopes, and anyone who wants après-ski without driving.
- Pros: high-end accommodation at the slopes, challenging runs, complete children’s offer.
- Cons: far from Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís; on a tighter budget you may find better options in the valley or nearby villages.
El Tarter
El Tarter has a free car park with 850 spaces, a real plus if you drive up every morning. It hosts one of Grandvalira’s snowparks and is often described as a rider-oriented sector. For kids there is the Turbo Snow Explorers area, a Snow Garden and a nursery.
- Best for: snowboarders and freestylers, families who want a nursery, and anyone who prefers easy parking.
- Pros: large free car park, snowpark, good children’s facilities.
- Cons: less village life than Soldeu or Canillo; other resorts mean car or bus.
Canillo and Encamp: villages with their own lift
Canillo
Canillo has a gondola that leaves from the village itself, so you can sleep in town and ride up to Grandvalira without a car. Bus lines L3 and L4 also stop here. The official Grandvalira website presents it as the sector for families and beginners, with the Mon(t) Magic kids’ circuit, a Snow Garden and a nursery.
- Best for: families with young children, beginners, and anyone who wants a village with services and lift access.
- Pros: gondola from the village, clear focus on learning, nursery in the sector.
- Cons: advanced skiers will need to travel across the ski area for steeper terrain.
If it is your first time on skis, our first day skiing in Andorra tips will help.
Encamp
Encamp is the first access to Grandvalira from Spain and the closest sector to Andorra la Vella and Escaldes. Its key asset is the Funicamp, a funitel of around 6 km that climbs from Encamp to Solanelles. There is a free Park & Ride in Encamp with the Funibus, and the L2 bus links it to Andorra la Vella. The sector has Kids Forest and a Snow Garden.
- Best for: visitors arriving from Spain, anyone who wants a base well connected to the valley, and budgets that prefer a village over a high-mountain base.
- Pros: Funicamp, free Park & Ride, close to the central valley and a good midpoint for mixing resorts.
- Cons: the Funicamp is a long ride to the slopes, so it adds time every morning compared with sleeping at the slopes.
Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany: the valley base
Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany have no lifts, but they are about 10 minutes by car from Encamp, or you can take the L2 bus to the Funicamp. The capital is also the starting point of the L5 to Arinsal (Pal Arinsal) and the L6 to Ordino, with timetables on bus.ad.
This is the most versatile base in the country: you are a reasonable distance from all three resorts and have the whole town on hand for evenings and non-ski days. For a group that wants to alternate between Grandvalira and Pal Arinsal or Ordino Arcalís, it is hard to find a better-placed spot.
- Best for: budget-conscious travellers, groups mixing resorts, families with non-skiers, and anyone who values town amenities.
- Pros: bus links to all three resorts, close to Encamp, plenty to do after skiing.
- Cons: a daily trip to the slopes and, with no lift in town, no rental shop next to the chairlift.
That last point is the easiest to fix. With ski rental delivered to your accommodation, your gear is waiting at the hotel or apartment from the afternoon before your first day, so you leave the valley fully kitted out.
La Massana and Arinsal: the gateway to Pal Arinsal
La Massana
La Massana connects to Pal Arinsal by a gondola with 16-seat cabins. The parish runs a free bus and, according to Visit Andorra, parking is free at each sector. Pal Arinsal has 63 km and suits all levels, with two Fun Cross runs, three freeride zones and a Winter Bike Park.
- Best for: families, mixed-ability groups, and anyone who wants a village close to the capital with lift access to the resort.
- Pros: gondola from the village, free local bus, varied resort for every level.
- Cons: skiing Grandvalira means crossing the central valley by car or bus.
Arinsal
Arinsal has its own gondola, Els Orriols, which leaves from the village; by road you get there on the CG-5. The Pal–Arinsal cable car links the resort’s two sectors. Arinsal is home to the Comallemple Snow Garden for children aged 3 to 5.
- Best for: families with snow-garden-age kids, anyone who wants the gondola close by, and travellers after a smaller village.
- Pros: lift access from the village, cable car link to Pal, direct L5 bus from Andorra la Vella.
- Cons: it sits at the end of the valley, so getting to Grandvalira is the longest trip in the country.
Ordino: the base for Ordino Arcalís
The village of Ordino is 14 km from Ordino Arcalís along the CG-3, and the resort has a car park for 1,500 cars. The L6 bus runs up from Andorra la Vella. Arcalís 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, according to the resort’s official website.
It is not only for experts: there are 8 green runs and the Megaverda, an 8.5 km green run turned into a Kids Forest. There is a nursery for children aged 1 to 3 and a Snow Garden for ages 3 to 6.
- Best for: freeriders, skiers looking for a quieter resort, and families who want nature and gentle slopes.
- Pros: top-level freeride terrain, village atmosphere, full children’s facilities.
- Cons: the resort is 14 km from the village, so there is a daily drive; Grandvalira is far.
Comparison table: where to stay by resort and access
| Base | Resort / sector | Access | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pas de la Casa | Grandvalira (Pas de la Casa) | Direct to the ski area; first access from France | Arrivals from France, families using the Snow Garden |
| Grau Roig | Grandvalira (Grau Roig) | By road; sector with no village | Natural setting, snowpark, families needing a nursery |
| Soldeu | Grandvalira (Soldeu) | 4–5* hotels at the slopes | Intermediate-advanced, après-ski, upscale stays |
| El Tarter | Grandvalira (El Tarter) | Free car park with 850 spaces | Riders and snowpark, drivers |
| Canillo | Grandvalira (Canillo) | Gondola from the village; L3 and L4 bus | Families and beginners |
| Encamp | Grandvalira (Encamp) | Funicamp; free Park & Ride with Funibus | Arrivals from Spain, midpoint base |
| Andorra la Vella / Escaldes | All three resorts | About 10 min by car to Encamp; L2, L5 and L6 bus | Tight budgets, mixing resorts, groups |
| La Massana | Pal Arinsal (Pal) | 16-seat gondola; free local bus | Families, mixed abilities |
| Arinsal | Pal Arinsal (Arinsal) | Els Orriols gondola; CG-5; L5 bus | Families with young kids, small village |
| Ordino | Ordino Arcalís | 14 km on the CG-3; L6 bus | Freeride, quieter resort |
Which area suits your profile
Families with young children
Canillo is the clearest choice in Grandvalira: gondola from the village, Mon(t) Magic and a nursery. On the west side of the country, La Massana and Arinsal offer lift access to Pal Arinsal and a Snow Garden for ages 3 to 5. Note that in Grandvalira children up to 5 ski free with proof of age. For kids’ equipment, read our guide to kids ski rental in Andorra.
Beginners
Canillo and Encamp are good places to start, and Pal Arinsal has slopes for every level. Grandvalira sells a dedicated beginner pass. If you are unsure what to rent, check what ski equipment a beginner needs.
Intermediate and advanced skiers
Soldeu, with its wide, steep runs, and Pas de la Casa, with direct access to the ski area, are the natural bases for making the most of Grandvalira’s 215 km.
Freeriders
Ordino, for its proximity to Ordino Arcalís and its 21 freeride zones. Pal Arinsal adds three more freeride zones, reachable from La Massana or Arinsal.
Snowboarders and freestyle
El Tarter and Grau Roig have snowparks; the third, Sunsetpark by Henrik Harlaut, is in Peretol. If you ride, take a look at snowboard rental in Andorra.
Tight budgets and groups
Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany or Encamp. Sleeping in the valley usually gives you more choice of accommodation and keeps all three resorts within reach by bus or car. This is the profile where gear delivery makes the biggest difference.
Why ski delivery changes the decision
Staying away from the slopes used to mean relying on a shop next to the lift: queues on day one, boots tried on in a rush and a return run before you leave. That pushed many people to pay more to sleep next to the resort.
With Aconcagua’s ski delivery in Andorra, the equation changes. Delivery and collection are free at your accommodation, anywhere in Andorra, for Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís. Your gear arrives the afternoon before your first day and is collected on the last. You pick the time slot, and each slot is reserved for a single order.
- If you sleep in the valley: you leave Andorra la Vella or Escaldes already carrying skis or board, boots and poles, and go straight to the Funicamp or the bus.
- If you mix resorts: the same gear works at Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal or Ordino Arcalís, with no tie to a particular shop.
- If you leave on the last day without returning to the hotel: drop it in the hotel ski room or at the Grandvalira El Tarter car park between 15:00 and 17:00.
There are ranges for every level (Silver for beginners, Gold for intermediates, Platinum for top level and Junior for kids aged 4 to 12, helmet included), and bringing your own boots lowers the price. You book online, pay through Redsys and get an email confirmation with a PDF. To apply the ACONCAGUA20 coupon, type it manually in the final cart. You can book your gear online in a few minutes. More details in our complete guide to ski rental with hotel delivery.
Getting around in winter
Whichever base you choose, learn the rules of the Andorran winter. From 1 November to 15 May, winter tyres on all four wheels (with at least 3 mm of tread) or snow chains are compulsory. There are three phases: yellow (equipment required, max 60 km/h), red (chains for everyone, max 30 km/h) and black (road closed). Check conditions at mobilitat.ad or on +376 1802 1802, according to the official winter mobility guide.
- Between Grandvalira sectors: free Ski Bus.
- Valley to Grandvalira: L2 bus to Encamp; L3 and L4 to Canillo.
- Valley to Pal Arinsal: L5 line (Andorra la Vella–Arinsal).
- Valley to Ordino Arcalís: L6 line.
- Between Pas de la Casa and the rest of the country: Port d’Envalira (2,408 m) or the toll tunnel of almost 3 km.
The slopes generally open from 9:00 to 17:00: if you stay further away, factor in the journey.
Frequently asked questions
Where to stay for skiing in Andorra if it is my first time?
Canillo is the best base for beginners in Grandvalira: it has a gondola from the village and is the sector aimed at families and beginners, with the Mon(t) Magic circuit. Encamp and La Massana are also good options thanks to their lift access to the slopes.
What is the best area to stay in Andorra with kids?
Canillo, El Tarter, Soldeu and Grau Roig have nurseries for children aged 1 to 6 in Grandvalira, and Canillo stands out for its family focus. Pal Arinsal has Snow Gardens for ages 3 to 5 in Pal and Arinsal, and Ordino Arcalís has a nursery for ages 1 to 3.
Is it worth staying in Andorra la Vella for skiing?
Yes, especially if you want to mix resorts or keep costs down. Andorra la Vella is about 10 minutes by car from Encamp, the L2 bus goes to the Funicamp, and the L5 and L6 lines head to Pal Arinsal and Ordino. With gear delivered to your accommodation, you will not miss having a shop by the lift.
Which base is closest to the Grandvalira slopes?
Pas de la Casa has direct access to the ski area and Soldeu has 4- and 5-star hotels at the slopes. Canillo has a gondola from the village, and Encamp connects to the slopes via the Funicamp.
Where should I stay to ski Pal Arinsal?
In La Massana or Arinsal. La Massana connects to the resort by a gondola with 16-seat cabins, and Arinsal has the Els Orriols gondola, which leaves from the village. Both are well linked to Andorra la Vella by the L5 bus.
Where to stay for freeride in Andorra?
Ordino is the natural base for Ordino Arcalís, Andorra’s freeride benchmark with 21 zones and 120 itineraries. The resort is 14 km from the village on the CG-3. Pal Arinsal adds three more freeride zones, reachable from La Massana or Arinsal.
Can rental skis be delivered if I stay far from the slopes?
Yes. Aconcagua Ski Delivery delivers and collects gear free of charge at your accommodation anywhere in Andorra, for Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís. Delivery is the afternoon before your first day and collection on the last day, in the time slot you choose.
What if I am not at my accommodation on the last day to return the gear?
You can leave it in the hotel ski room or return it at the Grandvalira El Tarter car park between 15:00 and 17:00. For any changes, message on WhatsApp with your booking or email info@aconcaguaskidelivery.com.
Already know where you are staying? Book your ski rental with delivery to your accommodation and start day one straight on the slopes.
Keep reading
- Where to rent skis in Andorra
- How much does ski rental cost in Andorra?
- How to choose skis and boots size
- Ski equipment rental for hotels in Andorra
- Aconcagua Ski Delivery blog
Sources
- Grandvalira Resorts: season dossier
- Grandvalira: Canillo sector
- Grandvalira: Soldeu sector
- Grandvalira: Encamp sector
- Grandvalira: Snow Garden and kids’ services
- Grandvalira: opening times and season
- Visit Andorra: Pal Arinsal
- Pal Arinsal: ski lifts
- Ordino Arcalís: the resort
- Visit Andorra: winter mobility
- Bus.ad: bus timetables