Andorra is slap bang in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. For beginners and early intermediates Andorra is an excellent choice. The ski schools are good, the lift systems are modern and efficient, the snow is pretty reliable.
The official language of Andorra is Catalan, but many Andorrans also speak Spanish and / or French. The capital, Andorra la Vella, is 226 km (140 miles) from Barcelona, Spain, and 180 km (112 miles) from Toulouse, France. This is important because Andorra does not have an airport - the nearest are Barcelona and Toulouse.
It is known as being a cheap, boozy destination for young party-loving skiers and boarders, a reputation that it is trying – without much success – to shake off. This isn't surprising because alcohol, along with everything else - most attractively cigarettes, designer jeans and videos – are tax free.
Andorra's five ski resorts all sit quite close together, so if you do get bored in one after a couple of days, you can always try out another. Pas de la Casa (including Grau Roig) and Soldeu, the biggest areas, are now linked by lifts and are sometimes referred to as Grandvalira. Pal, Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis are grouped together too and sometimes referred to as Vallnord.
The accommodation tends to be simple. An estimated 13 million people visit this tiny country each year, and the economy is heavily dependent on tourism, so the resorts are well established and organised.
If your are at the early stages of learning to ski and want a cheap, ski holiday in a country that you can pick up some great value duty-free goods then Andora is the place.
Andorra Ski Resorts:
Arinsal Andorra
Ordino Arcalis Andorra
Pal & Arinsal Andorra
Pas de la Casa & Grau Roig Andorra
Soldeu Andorra
Grandvalira and Vallnord Andorra
Andorra Summary:
Population: 66,334
Currency: Euro
Language: Catalan (official), Spanish, French
Highest point: Coma Pedrosa (2,946 m / 9,663 ft)
Climate: Winters are cold with frost and snow but usually bright and sunny. Summers are normally dry, fresh and sunny although the wettest months are Aug and Sep.
Getting to Andorra:
Nearest Airports: none in Andorra, so expect a 4 hour transfer. From Spain: Barcelona 220 km (140 miles) Girona 280 km. From France: Tolouse 210 km (112 miles), Carcassonne 210 km, Perpignan 210 km.
Nearest Rail Stations: In France: L'Hospitalet près l'Andorre 8 km. In Spain: Puigcerdà 60 km.
Coach services: run to Andorra from Barcelona, Tarragona and Girona.
Tourist office contact details:
Andorran Delegation in Great Britain
63 Westover Road, London SW18 2RF
Telephone: 020 8874 4806
Tourism websites: www.turisme.ad and www.andorraonline.ad
