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Andorra nestles in the Pyrenees between the Catalonia and France. Its mountainous territory measuring only 468km sq, has 286km of ski slopes, and some of the most dramatic scenery and best skiing in the Pyrenees.
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Tradition holds that Charlemagne granted a charter to Andorran people in return for their fighting the Moors. In the 11th century a dispute arose between the bishop of Urgell and his northern neighbour over Andorra. The conflict was resolved in 1278 by the signing of a pareage, which provided that Andorra's sovereignty be shared between the Count of Foix and the bishop of Urgell. This gave the small principality its territory and political form.
Not so long ago, Andorra was often written off by serious skiers as a Costa del Sol in the snow. Renowed for cheap booze, partying and tax-free shopping rather than challenging ski slopes. The last couple of years have seen a big change. A huge investment in the skiing facilities and the opening of lots of quality hotels have given Andorra's image a much needed boost. A more mixed crowd, including families & independent travellers, are now trying out Andorra and liking what they find.
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Andorra - Andorra ski resorts guide
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Ordino Arcalis - Totally integrated in the natural surroundings of Andorra Pyrenees, the Ordino-Arcalis Ski resort covers an area of 442 ha between the altitudes of 1,940 and 2,620 metres. Its orientation and geographical location guarantee quality and quantity of snow throughout the entire season. The strategic distribution of the lifts (5 chairlifts and 8 gondolas) along with their capacity (16,510 people/hour) and the diversity of slopes allows you to ski without crowds. All necessary services for you to intensely enjoy your skiing are available: self-service restaurants, high mountain restaurant, terraces, equipment rental, transportation, 1,500 parking spaces at the foot of the slopes, Ski School, snow garden, day nursery, etc. The ski-school is expanding its week-endcollective class timetable.
The expansion and renovation of the signposting for the whole of the resort, including slopes and facilities. An agreement to protect the environment so as to save the wildlife of Arcalis, minimising all negative impact that our activity produces, as well as the implementation of an environmentally friendly system of management in order to obtain the ISO 14001 certificate.
Discover La Mil·lèsima, a slalom course to challenge you to the limit, with timed start, controlled finish via computerised sensor and print-out of your time. This winter, you can also enjoy up to 5 itineraries on snowshoe with different degrees of difficulty, accompanied by our experienced guides. Iniciatives Turistiques d'Ordino places at your disposal a series of winter programmes for you to enjoy an unbeatable stay in Andorra.
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Pas de la Casa - The first ski station in Andorra, Pas de la Casa opened its first lift in 1957 and from then on has not looked back. This - the frontier town to France - to this day still retains some of the 'bravado' of its historic trading links with France. When in 1968, the resort was linked to its neighbouring resort of 'Grau Roig' they became the most important ski resort in the Pyrenees; indeed good enough to be chosen for the European ski championships. The resort is giving access to about 100 kms of marked piste! The pistes of the resort of Pas de la Casa / Grau-Roig cover 3 different faces of the valley - one of which runs directly into the centre of the village. There is also a Terrain park including a half pipe giving excellent facilities for snowboarders and X-over skiers alike.
Conditions permitting, the resort offers weekly floodlit skiing on one of the longest, main pistes back into the village.
Since early 1999, Grau Roig has ben connected by the new FuniCamp gondola to the town of Encamp in the centre of the country. Users can now avoid a road trip of nearly 1/2 hour (at busy times) and the FuniCamp is especially useful for day visitors from other resort villages such as Arinsal.
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Arinsal - Arinsal first opened as a ski centre in 1973. In the past 19 years the picturesque old village has expanded greatly, offering a good choice of apartments, hotels, bars & restaurants along with a growing number of shops.Après ski is possibly the liveliest in Andorra with a selection of restaurants and bars catering for all tastes in both music and food.
From the centre of the village, a gondola whisks you up to the slopes in 4 minutes. Extensive development including new snowmaking equipment, but most importantly a high speed link 'teleferric' to carry 40 people to the neighbour resort of 'Pal' or back in just 7 minutes means that the combined station now has a pisted area of over 64Kms of great skiing! Arinsal has the largest vertical drop of just over 1,000m (3,300ft) and stands in the shadow of Andorra´s highest mountain peak - 'Coma Pedrosa' which is 2,842m (9,708ft) The resort still retains its attraction as a family skiing and snowboarding centre. The lift passes valid for Arinsal and Pal, giving you an excellent choice of skiing.
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Soldeu / El Tarter - First opened in 1964 Soldeu / El Tarter is now one of the busiest ski areas in Andorra due to its 90Kms (850Ha) of pistes, which gives it the largest independent ski area in the country. Extensive development over more than 25 years has given the resort the most advanced lift system and piste
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and piste conditions to be able to cater for 38,750 skiers per hour. You will never be hungry with 8 restaurants / snack bars catering for you on the slopes and for beginners or those wanting to improve their skiing, the ski school is staffed by over 250 instructors (many being British). All in all the resort offers you - 11 black runs, 11 red runs, 16 blue, 14 green (beginner runs) a snow park with half-pipe, big air and terrain park, in addition to an F.I.S approved 'Stadibump' mogul stadium. Since 2001, a teleferric connects the center of Canillo village to the Forn sector of the station.
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La Rabassa - Situated high above the valley floor near the border town of Sant Julià de lòria, the ski station could not be set in a more beautiful location. Surrounded by rolling landscapes and the La Rabassa forest, there are activities for all. 15Kms of trails are available for all levels of cross country ski school. For those wanting to try some alternative winter sports, then La Rabassa is the place for you, as you can trek through the snowy forest in complete safety with one of the guided snow shoe excursions.
Really adventurous people can lauch themselves down a specially built U shaped toboggan course in an inflatable toboggan in the shape of a giant ring... You can slide through the course, go over 'big air' jumps and even race events can be organised for groups with a highly competitive edge.
Accredited to pyreneesguide.com©
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