Andorra is famous for its skiing, with over 300Km (186 miles) of ski slopes it is truly an ideal place to live for those of you who love the snow. There are two major ski stations: Grandvalira and Vallnord. Grandvalira is the bigger station whereas Vallnord tends to be the station that locals favour with harder slopes that require a slightly higher level of experience although both stations have slopes for beginners.
Vallnord is on the north east side of the country and is composed by Arcalis, located in the parish of Ordino and Pal-Arinsal whose slopes are located within the towns of Pal and Arinsal respectively.
Both ski resorts have ski schools that offer beginner to advanced classes and a wide range of winter activities such as mushing, ski bikes and nigh-time excursions to the restaurants located on the ski slopes.
Grandvalira is located on the north west side of the country in the parishes of Encamp and Canillo.
The Ski season is characterised by a wave of tourism which livens up the northern part of the country in the winter months. Most locals grow up to become advanced skiers as all the schools offer ski programs.
Residents enjoy special discounts on their ski passes, making skiing a much more affordable sport once residing in the country, for more information on acquiring resident ski passes please contact L.A. Administració.
There are very few sports that can’t be practised in Andorra. Almost every parish has an affordable sports-leisure centre with a gym, swimming pool, massage area… There are also a variety of private sport clubs such as Anyos park, located in the parish of La Massana and the exclusive Caldea, which includes one of Europe’s most famous spas. The water in Caldea is naturally heated and the spa includes saunas, a range of jacuzzi, restaurants, a massage area and night-time shows.
Mountain walking is the preferred choice of exercise in the summers, with over 60 lakes to visit and 65 peaks to climb, the country becomes a green paradise where locals and tourists alike will often organise barbecues in specially designated areas within the forests after a long day of trail walking. To step out of your home straight onto a mountain really is a luxury if you enjoy mountain life. There are refuges, free stone based “huts” with bunk beds, on most of the mountains where walkers can divide their hikes into a two-day trip by staying the night. Mountain biking is also a major sport in the Summer, trails are built and organized by the ski stations. The fifth consecutive MTB world-cup will be held in Andorra in the summer of 2019.
A paradise for horse riding, there is a riding stables in Aldosa: “Club Hipic L´Aldosa” that offer individual riding classes, group classes, courses and day trips around the local countryside. You can find more information on the stables by clicking here
The Ultratrail is a race organized once a year, usually in July, where the runners participate in a gruelling test of endurance, although highly challenging, the race offers a range of levels for participants.
If you are looking for a slightly different experience, you can learn how to scuba dive under an icy lake, or take a course in snow driving, or go-kart or ice skate in Camillo’s ice rink or take a 2 hour trip to Empuria Brava to try a parachute jump. You could also take a course in ski parachuting or try one of the many “Via Ferratas” a unique experience where you can climb one of the many mountain sides aided by a series of iron bars while strapped to a harness.
If you enjoy golf, then get ready to play on the highest golf course in Europe. At 2.250 meters, the “Grandvalira Golf Soldeu” offers spectacular views for both golfing pros and enthusiasts.
Andorra is attracting athletes from all over the world. There is a special Residency for elite and high profile athletes, for more information on this special sort of residency don’t hesitate to contact L.A.Administració by clicking here (Link pagina de contacto).