In this small and perfectly formed mountain nation, Andorra ski holidays wow visitors with snow-sure pistes, modern lifts and its unique Pyrenean atmosphere. This snowy principality is only 468km2 but 100% of this area is mountainous meaning some the highest concentration of great slopes per person in the world.
Andorra has pumped serious investment into its winter sports, to ensure skiing holidays that compete with the big-name alpine destinations in France and Austria. In 2022 alone, €17.5 million was spent on major improvements in the Grandvalira ski area and there’s more in 2025, so you can expect exceptionally well looked after slopes and state-of-the-art facilities. With 65 peaks over 2,000m, Andorra’s high altitude terrain ensures some of the best snow in Europe.
The list of reasons to visit Andorra extend beyond pristine skiing conditions and fast modern lifts and gondolas. There’s incredible restaurants, thermal spas and hot springs, gloriously affordable après ski and even tax-free shopping for savings on that new ski jacket! Andorra has all this and more to create amazing ski holidays, yet remains refreshingly cheap, because skiing the Pyrenees is less famous than the Alps.
Andorra’s resorts each have a unique character, influenced in different ways by the neighbouring countries of France to the north and Spain to the south. There are mountain villages with rustic charm as well as bustling towns with modern luxuries, but what they all have in common is stunning natural scenery.
We’ve spent years exploring the Andorran Pyrenees from the towering peak of Coma Pedrosa to the sweeping Sorteny Valley to create these ‘Best Of’ resort guides. Whether you’re a powder-hound or an après beast, a black bomber or a blue cruiser, here’s where you'll find the perfect Andorran resort for your next vacation.
Miles of undulating mountainside are the trademark of skiing in Andorra, but the best resorts also have welcoming towns with great bars, friendly restaurants and affordable accommodation. Arinsal fits this description with a lively evening atmosphere, comfy ski hotels, an international dining scene and 93km of piste which are often both dumped with snow and also bathed in sunshine. Pas De La Casa is another of our favourites, where sunny days exploring the 210km of slopes are followed by evenings of partying - don’t miss Deja Beer where you can pull your own pints from a different beer tap at each table.
Andorra is fantastic for snowboarders who want to perfect their carving, dabble off-piste or practise their freestyle in the park. Soldeu has a growing reputation as a dream destination for freeriding and is feted for its three snow parks with a range of features catering to everyone from complete newbies to seasoned pros. Freestylers also have a great time on the ramps, jumps, rails, halfpipes and kickers in Arinsal and the lengthy runs like the Coll de la Botella and La Solana offer some brilliant riding. If that’s not enough to keep you busy, Arcalis is just 20 minutes from Arinsal with a large freeriding area under the Creussans lift.
Thanks to high altitudes and modern snow making infrastructure, Andorra’s resorts are impressively snow sure. Sitting at 2,100m and rising up to 2,600m Pas De La Casa enjoys an average of 5m of snow in a season (that’s more than the height of a double decker bus!). With most slopes being north-facing, this snow tends to stick around. El Tarter also has north-facing pistes and with many rising above 2,100m making this is another snow-sure resort to consider. Between mid-December and April Andorran resorts tend to have reliable snow cover.
With first-rate ski schools and nursery slopes, a relaxed atmosphere and child-friendly restaurants, Andorra caters brilliantly for families. In La Massana the Escola Pal ski school offers beginner courses for kids as well as private lessons for adults. Young families can enjoy the gaggle of greens and blues in the Pal areas and more experienced skiers can explore all the way to the slopes of Arinsal. When the day’s skied out, there’s museums, pizzerias and the Caldea spa for fun evenings. Families also love Soldeu where there are nurseries for tots too tiny for the snow, the Snow Garden Club for little beginners, Brit-run ski schools for progressing learners and 215km of piste to roam across the Grandvalira lift pass for anyone else.
With ski lift passes, fun après ski and a varied mix of terrain, Andorra is ideal for groups. We love Arinsal which has access to a range of slopes from gentle greens in Pal to epic heli-skiing in Arcalis and the après ski is just as awesome where the bars get joyously rowdy and duty-free prices are something to rave about. In the heart of the vast Grandvalira area with over 210km of slope, Soldeu and El Tarter are other top choices for groups. Head to Soldeu for a more buzzy town, where gregarious groups can dance until the early hours in The Aspen bar, or choose El Tarter for a laid-back atmosphere, sipping cocktails over a game of pool at Dylan’s.
Andorra may be small but it packs a punch when it comes to après ski - the duty free prices could have something to do with keeping the vibe merry and the drinks flowing! Pas De La Casa has a reputation for the best après in Andorra and we are inclined to agree. SNOman has enjoyed more than his fair share of shots here and, in spots like Underground and The Kamikaze Surf Bar, parties start when the lifts close and last way into the night. There’s also plenty of friendly pubs like Perla Negra and Deja Beer for a more chilled out post-ski tipple. Arinsal also has great nightlife, with La Coma’s terrace being the go-to place to kick off the evening with a slopeside beer, before tipsy silliness reaches a peak at fancy dress parties in El Cau.
Enthroned by majestic mountainscapes, The luxury side of Andorra’s ski resorts mean Michelin star restaurants, relaxing spas and palatial hotels. Soldeu is considered the premier Andorran destination for a finer slice of life with the sparkling Juclar de Soldeu lakes providing some gorgeous views. Turkish baths, Jacuzzis and saunas provide the pampering and don’t miss GlassBar 1850 for a classy cocktail. We recommend foodies divide their dining between the three Michelin-starred restaurants here of Koy Hermitage, Sol i Neu and Ibaya. In El Tarter and Arinsal there’s a selection of chic hotels and Andorra’s glamorous capital with high end shopping and the world-class Caldea spa is just half an hour away.
With winding wooded valleys under soaring jagged peaks, Andorra offers spectacular mountain views whichever resort you choose. In Soldeu, the majestic natural scenery is complemented by a charming village centre with its traditional stone and timber buildings. The nearby El Tarter has a rustic charm to it and, with the Valira d'Orient river running by the town, this resort looks Instagram-perfect. In Arinsal, the streets are lined with Andorran chalets and snow covered trees make the whole resort feel like it belongs in a snow globe.
Thanks to lots of lovely gentle slopes and affordable ski schools, Andorra is one of the best countries to learn to ski. In La Massana, beginners can step straight off the lift onto wide nursery slopes and once their confidence builds the resort is chock-full of easy greens and steady blues to progress without stress. As a high altitude resort, fresh snow is relatively common here so learners can avoid the extra challenge of icy conditions. Arinsal is another beginner-friendly resort where there are three short drag lifts to different green runs and a ‘snow garden’ for young learners to play. The local ski and snowboard schools in both resorts have beginners feeling comfortable on either one or two planks in no time.
Andorra welcomes intermediates with an exciting medley of terrain. There’s gentle slopes for warming up your ski legs, snow parks for trying tricks and a few challenging sections that help you to progress. Intermediate skiers wanting big mileage, Pas De La Casa has 210km of piste made up of mostly blue and red runs. The blue Tubs run is nice and broad for finessing your technique and a great ego booster before taking on some of the steeper reds. For those (like us) who love blissful cruising, Soldeu has plenty of blues for a week's skiing. There’s also 30 red pistes including the wide Esparver run which is ideal for gentle progression.
Advanced skiers can have an excellent time in Andorra shooting from one resort to the next and zipping down virgin backcountry. Pas de la Casa is home to 25 black runs including the Jordi Angles and FIS runs which will put your thighs to the test. From here, experts can ski over the mountain to Grau Roig which offers another 23 blacks as well as scenic off-piste through the trees. Arinsal is another top choice for experts with the freeride area under La Capa chair lift providing some great powder skiing and even more epic off-piste higher up at the Arcalis ski station only 20 minutes away.
For an empty mountainside and satisfyingly long stretches of powder, Andorra is the place to go. Arcalis is a must, with vast areas of off-piste terrain within easy reach of the lifts - try the long route from the La Coma chairlift to the base lodge for some of the most fun and huge powder bowls you’ll find anywhere. Arcalis is best accessed from Arinsal which also caters pretty well for powder-hounds. We recommend its ungroomed freeride area for those making their first forays into powder and the seriously steep Pic Negre mountain face for seasoned off-pisters.
Andorra offers some of the most affordable skiing in Europe with accommodation, food and drinks all being usually being cheaper than on equivalent ski holidays in France, Austria, Switzerland and even wallet-friendly Italy. Perhaps the best news for the budget conscious is that you only need one lift pass to ski the whole country. With the Grandvalira pass, you can access a huge 303km of slopes, yet the nearby hotels and restaurants are at the prices you’d expect in a much smaller resort. Pas De La Casa and Arinsal are possibly the best value for money with the easy access to the slopes and a pint still only setting you back about €4.
Andorra's main ski season runs between December and April. The country’s more southerly location makes it a warmer destination and so it’s rare to be able to ski in the summer months. The lifts in the Grandvalira Ski Area do stay open though with many outdoor activities like mountain biking and zip lining available when the snow melts. If you’re hankering for summer skiing try Switzerland, France or Austria instead.
Back in the 2022/2023 ski season, Andorra’s main ski areas of Grandvalira and Pal-Arinsal were merged into one and the country-wide ski pass was born. This means visitors can unlock a whopping 303km of slopes with one lift pass: The Grandvalira ski pass. Beginners and intermediates are especially well catered for with lots of wide sweeping terrain, but advanced skiers can find their fair share of fun too with steep drops and deep powder higher up the mountains.
Across Andorra there are a range of accommodation options from authentic mountain buildings to conveniently positioned modern properties. Discover amazing prices on our wide selection of hotels, apartments and chalets or call us for help finding the perfect accommodation for your Andorran ski holiday.
Thanks to its small size, efficient transfers can get you up and exploring the Andorran Pyrenees easily although not as quickly as in the Alps. There are frequent flights into Barcelona and Toulouse so you can get an early flight out and a late flight back to make the most of your time. From these airports the transfer takes about 3 hours to resorts like Arinsal and Pas De La Casa but, with plenty of ski-in/ski-out hotels and apartments, you won’t need to waste any more time on travel.
Whether a good dump of snow is forecast in The Pyrenees or you suddenly have some unexpected time free, last minute trips to Andorra are quick and easy to book. As a quieter destination there is often great accommodation availability and Andorra is also the place to find the most affordable prices at the last minute. Call our friendly experts and be shushing down the slopes in SNO time!
Andorra is already one of the most budget-friendly ski destinations but with our Andorran Ski Deals you can score an absolute steal. There’s stonking good discounts on quality accommodation as well as offers on ski hire and lift passes meaning you can put your pennies towards an extra round or two at après!
Facing the Mediterranean and with a slightly more southerly location, Andorra gets some beautifully sunny days (Soldeu literally means “sun god”). But don’t make the mistake of thinking there’s a lack of snow. Thanks to high altitudes and many resorts reaching above 2,000m, Andorra also receives hefty dumps of the white stuff. With a high proportion of north-facing slopes, this snow tends to hang around too. To see what snow conditions are like right now look at the Andorra snow report and, when your holiday is coming up, check out Andorra’s Snow Forecast to see what snowfall is on the horizon.
Andorra’s cuisine has been influenced by its French and Spanish neighbours - no bad thing in our opinion! Slopeside lunches involve platters of delicious tapas and a refreshing glass of sangria on a sun-drenched terrace or refuel on grilled meats served with fresh bread and olive oil for a warming pitstop. Easy-pleasers like pizzas, pasta and burgers are easy to find, whilst sophisticated restaurants like Foc i Lloc and the Hotel Naudí Restaurant cater for refined palates. Anyone with a sweet tooth must try Crema Andorrana - Andorra’s version of a classic French crème brûlée which swaps the caramelised sugar top for thick sweet meringue – yum.
Andorra is a tiny country situated on the border between France & Spain. The skiing here all takes place in the Eastern Pyrenees mountain range. Skiing in Andorra is generally more reasonable than resorts in the Alps making it a top choice for a great-value ski trip.
If you’re looking to get away skiing for the first time, then Arinsal in Andorra is the perfect place to go. Over 50% of the 90km+ of runs here are graded blue which is ideal for getting those first turns in. It’s much smaller than other resorts in Andorra, such as Pas de la Casa, so the majority of the clientele are beginner to intermediate skiers or snowboarders.
The ski season in Andorra usually starts in early to mid-December running through to the middle of April (conditions permitting). Andorra is more southern than the resorts across the Alps, meaning the temperature tends to be warmer.
There are two ski areas in Andorra with nine ski resorts within them. There is the Grandvalira ski area – the largest of the areas comprising of Pas de la Casa, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo, Encamp and Grau Roig. The other ski area is called Vallnord. This area is made up of Arinsal, Pal and Arcalis. Although Arcalis is technically part of the Vallnord ski area, it is not connected by any ski lifts and takes around an hour by bus to get there.
It depends what you’re looking for, but if you’re after a larger resort with a great atmosphere around the town and plenty of skiing, then Pas de la Casa is the place to go in Andorra. With over 210km of skiing, it is the largest ski area in Andorra with a variety of different terrain for all abilities. Over 50% of the runs are graded as blue with the rest of the runs made up of red and black runs.
Grau Roig, a small village between Soldeu (1800m) and Pas de la Casa (2100m) in the Grandvalira ski area, is the highest altitude ski resort in Andorra at 2120m. Generally, Andorra gets less snowfall than resorts across the Alps, but by heading to Grau Roig or Pas de la Casa will give yourself the best chance of early season skiing in Andorra.
Soldeu is the perfect place to go if you want to get away to Andorra in January. It has an amazing snow history, and there’ll be a great snow base come the new year. Even in dry years, it has fantastic snowmaking facilities to keep pistes in good condition.
Look no further than Arinsal for your February ski holiday in Andorra. Part of the Vallnord ski area, it is smaller and quieter than the resorts within the Grandvalira ski area. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking to get away with young kids – it’s very family-friendly, and you won’t find a crazy après ski atmosphere here.
El Tarter is a great resort for spring skiing in Andorra. The resort is in the valley at the height of 1700m, next to Soldeu, and most of the pistes start from 2100m or higher meaning the piste stay firm for most of the day.
Pas de la Casa is the best resort in Andorra if you’re looking to get a last ski trip of the season squeezed in. The resort sits at 2100m – one of the highest in Andorra! The ski lifts go up to 2640m in the Granvalira ski area. It also gets the sunniest days in the principality making it the perfect resort to stop for a drink in the sun after a days skiing
Property | Resort | Price (per person) |
---|---|---|
Hotel Himalaia | Soldeu and El Tarter | £ 789 |
Hotel Magic | Pas De La Casa | £ 759 |
Hotel Grand Pas | Pas De La Casa | £ 749 |
Hotel Magic Ski | Arinsal | £ 699 |
Hotel Piolets | Soldeu and El Tarter | £ 829 |
Park Piolets Mountain Resort & Spa | Soldeu and El Tarter | £ 1169 |
Hotel Font D’Argent | Pas De La Casa | £ 879 |
Hotel Magic Massana | Arinsal | £ 779 |
Hotel Princesa Parc & Spa | Arinsal | £ 959 |
Diana Parc & Spa Hotel | Arinsal | £ 1059 |