Andorra
Ski Holidays

Families should consider heading to either of the neighbouring resorts of Soldeu or El Tarter. They’re home to a great ski school up on the mountain and exclusive children zones. El Tarter has the ‘bababoom circus’, a magical circuit through the forest while Soldeu is home to the 646m Yokai circuit, named after the area’s black grouse. They’re also quieter than some of Andorra’s more riotous resorts. Ski passes are also free for children under the age of six. Alternatively, Arinsal is perfect for families, with the children’s area, beginners’ area, food and ski school all in one place (The Compallemple area).

In many resorts across the Alps, beginners are forced to stick to the ‘nursery slopes’ beside the resort while their more experienced friends head up the mountain. Not so in the Grandvalira, where many of the beginner areas and best blue runs are higher up, meaning they can also enjoy the views as they learn, and more easily meet in mountain restaurants. Soldeu, El Tarter and Pas de la Casa also all have blue slopes running back to the resort. Alternatively, Arinsal is a great value option for beginners, with plenty of beginner-friendly slopes and a mountain layout that is easy to navigate.

The variety of ski resorts in Andorra is not massive – the country itself is a third of the size of London – and there are just two main ski areas, Gradvalira, the largest, which is home to Soldeu, El Tarter and Pas de la Casa (the highest). Here slopes go up to 2,640m. The Pal-Arinsal sectors meanwhile offers a similar high level of snow security, with slopes going up to 2,500m.

Andorra has been a melting pot of mountain cultures, languages and cuisine for centuries. There are French, Spanish and Catalan influences. You’ll find tapas restaurants in every resort, as well as the more traditional alpine dishes such as cheesy fondues and also some flavours unique to the region such as escudella stew, a warming dish of local meats, sausages and seasonal vegetables. Like chillies? At Cisco’s in Arinsal, they serve Asian, Tex Mex, Mediterranean, Latino and the tequila to go with.

With a round of drinks costing far less than in the Alps, it’s not difficult to see why Andorra is popular as a party venue. Hedonists should head to Pas de la Casa, often likened to Ibiza for its wide range of bars and clubs. Those with more refined tastes should head to El Tarter which boasts a slopeside champagne bar. Arinsal also has a lively après scene with a number of bars and clubs.

Andorra may have a reputation for chilled skiing, long lunches and a lively après but it has some incredible off-piste too, thanks to its unique climate. It’s a stop on the Freeride World Tour – where the world’s best come to shred the mountain in style. Grandvalira has several freeride areas as well as marked routes. All the controlled freeriding areas offer different routes and lines adapted for both intermediate freeriders and experts.

If you’re prepared to catch the red-eye, Andorra is definitely possible in a weekend. There are evening flights to Toulouse and Barcelona and if you don’t mind arriving into your resort in the early hours you’ve got two full days on the slopes before heading back. At just over two hours from Pas de la Casa, Toulouse is marginally closer of the two. Soldeu, just up the road, is also within reach.

With 210km of pistes around the Grandvalira area, Pas de la Casa is the popular choice for groups. There’s skiing for all abilities, lots of mountain restaurants to meet up with friends and some great value self-catering apartments. But best of all is its varied and lively après scene. There are loads of places to eat, drink and party, whether you want to dance on the tables, or just enjoy an inexpensive meal at a decent restaurant.