After the recent snowfall in Andorra, Grandvalira Resorts are heading into this weekend with the best snow conditions of the entire season. The ground teams continue their excellent work to prepare the slopes and increase the available skiable area, which currently exceeds 270 km across the three resorts. Grandvalira now offers over 180 km of skiable terrain, with 120 open slopes catering to all levels and snow depths reaching up to 140 cm. Pal Arinsal has all its slopes open with snow depths of up to 115 cm, while Ordino Arcalís operates on 96% of its domain with snow depths up to 170 cm.
Opening of La Capa in Arinsal
The weather forecast predicts more precipitation in the coming days, so Grandvalira expects to continue increasing the available kilometers, while Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís will be able to maintain optimal conditions with the resort fully operational. In this regard, the Arinsal sector plans to open La Capa this Sunday, which is particularly noteworthy as it opens in moments of very good snow conditions since it does not have any snowmaking equipment. This black slope starts from over 2,560 meters in altitude, allowing for the steepest descent in all of Andorra by linking different slopes, with over 1,000 meters of elevation drop to the base of the Les Marrades slope, located at 1,550 meters in altitude.
Activities for all tastes to complete the experience
Activities at Grandvalira Resorts are in full swing, so the day can be filled with great experiences whether you're a skier or not. Snow lovers can enjoy the First Snow service, which allows skiing on the slopes before the resorts open, being the first to glide on freshly groomed snow. Or, if you haven't had enough at the end of the day, you can continue skiing with the nighttime slope in Pas de la Casa, included in the ski pass. The more adventurous can opt for a snowmobile ride in the Grau Roig sector of Grandvalira and take advantage of the freshly snow-covered landscape offered by the resorts, or go mushing—dog sledding—for a Nordic and glamorous experience, both in the Grau Roig and El Tarter sectors. Outings with the Grandvalira Mountain Guides or the Adventure Center guides, both on snowshoes and ski mountaineering, are also a great opportunity to explore the surroundings of the resorts with surprising excursions. In this sense, it's worth noting that all Grandvalira Resorts have a wide variety of marked trails for both ski mountaineering and snowshoeing.
Families can find extra fun at the Mon(t) Magic Family Park in Canillo, where highlights include the Màgic Gliss, a long mountain slide with over half a kilometre of track, and the zip line, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h while crossing the valley. In Pal Arinsal, the classics that never fail continue, such as the sledding slope, the Kid's Zip and Big Zip lines, or the Big Airbag.
Music, après-ski, and a new Bresh!
The terraces of the resorts will, as usual, offer music and a great atmosphere for breaks between runs. The Cala Bassa Costa Rodona in Pas de la Casa will host a new Brugal party where electronic instrumental musicians, in this case pianists, complement a DJ base to offer an experience reminiscent of Ibiza's style. The IQOS Terrace in Soldeu has prepared a live duo experience with vocals and saxophone with Nika & Yabloko for Saturday, and an original performance with the illustrator Joel Miñana, who will showcase his renowned quick strokes to depict reality. Both performances will be accompanied, as expected, by DJ John Holt, who will be entertaining the terrace every day of the week. A visit to Grandvalira includes other must-visit stops such as the In The Snow Veuve Clicquot terrace (El Tarter), the Vermutería Petroni (Soldeu), the Refugi de Pessons (Grau Roig), or the San Miguel terrace (Pas de la Casa), among many others, where the good atmosphere and good food are always present.
As for Pal Arinsal, the terraces of Niu, Xiringuito, or Pla de la Cot will also have DJs to liven up the downtime, while in Ordino Arcalís, the terraces of La Coma, Planells, or Refugi de las Portelles stand out, among others. Additionally, weather permitting, the Kokoi Terrace in Hortell will also feature entertainment with a resident DJ on Saturdays from 3 pm to 5 pm.
L’Abarset, the après-ski temple, kicks off on Friday with a new Bresh, “the prettiest party in the world”, where DJs keep the place vibrating non-stop, linking hit after hit. On Saturday, Tenerife's Héctor Couto arrives, spinning his distinctive techno-house style that has made him famous.
Enjoying good gastronomy amidst snowy landscapes
Grandvalira Resorts have nearly 90 dining options with different proposals, always highlighting the great atmosphere and commitment to good gastronomy. Some classic restaurants not to be missed during your visit to Grandvalira are Racó de Solanelles, which has renovated its terrace this year, Llac de Pessons, Arrocería Pi del Migdia, Vodka Bar, or Wine & Meat by Jean Leon. This year, the bulthaup Grau Roig has opened, a glass tube with a maximum capacity of 16 diners that offers one of the most unique dining experiences.
The restaurants Coll de la Botella and Pla de la Cot are also gastronomic references in Pal Arinsal, complemented by Terroir, Niu, and Xiringuito, while in Ordino Arcalís, the restaurant of choice for enjoying good high-altitude and local cuisine is La Coma.
Some of Grandvalira Resorts' restaurants offer the option of dinner, an experience amidst the mountains that allows you to enjoy the spectacular Andorran starry sky and must be booked in advance.