Andorra Welcomes Skiers for the 2025-2026 Season
Andorra's renowned ski resorts are officially ushering in the 2025-2026 winter season, with staggered openings across its major domains. This week marks the launch for Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal, and Ordino Arcalís, promising an extensive ski experience for enthusiasts. The general opening for most resorts is set for Friday, December 5, 2025, following a pre-opening in one of Grandvalira's key sectors.
Grandvalira Leads with Phased Opening
Grandvalira, the largest ski area in the Pyrenees, commenced its operations with a pre-opening of its Pas de la Casa sector on Thursday, December 4, 2025. Skiers accessing this sector on the pre-opening day enjoyed a reduced day pass price of €45. The full official opening for Grandvalira, encompassing sectors such as Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo, Grau Roig, and Encamp, is scheduled for Friday, December 5. By Saturday, December 6, full inter-sector ski connections are anticipated to be available, offering over 100 km of skiable terrain during the initial holiday weekend. Significant infrastructure improvements are also underway, including a new multifunctional building at Pas de la Casa, with some provisional services opening this winter ahead of its full launch in the 2026-2027 season.
Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís Ready for Winter
Pal Arinsal is also set to open its slopes on Friday, December 5, 2025. The resort plans to offer over 30 km of slopes with 90% of its lifts operational, and both sectors connected by cable car. The Winter Bike Park will also be fully open. Meanwhile, Ordino Arcalís took an early lead, having opened its season ahead of schedule on Thursday, November 27, 2025, thanks to favorable snow conditions. The resort continues to expand its skiable area and expects to have 65% of its slopes open this weekend. Ordino Arcalís is particularly noted for its excellent snow quality, attributed to its northeast orientation and extensive snowmaking capabilities, covering 60% of its slopes.
Extensive Investment and Event Calendar
The collective efforts of Grandvalira Resorts, which includes all three domains, have resulted in a substantial investment of €39 million for the 2025-2026 season, marking an 86% increase from the previous winter. A significant portion, €11 million, has been dedicated to enhancing snowmaking infrastructure to ensure optimal conditions. Across the three resorts, over 150 km of slopes will be accessible for the Immaculate Conception holiday period. The season is projected to continue until April 6, 2026. Recent November snowfalls have contributed positively to the early openings and robust snow bases. Beyond recreational skiing, Andorra is poised to host several high-profile sporting events, including the Alpine Skiing World Cup in Grandvalira, the inaugural FIS Freeride World Championships in Ordino Arcalís, and the Ski Mountaineering World Cup in Pal Arinsal.
7 Comments
eliphas
Another season, another price hike, I bet. Skiing is becoming a luxury for the few.
anubis
Fantastic! Early opening means more time on the slopes. So excited for this season!
eliphas
The article highlights significant financial investment and major events, which is great for Andorra's international profile. Yet, I'd be interested to know how these developments are balancing the needs of local communities versus catering primarily to high-spending tourists.
anubis
While the early opening and favorable snow conditions are exciting for enthusiasts, I hope the resorts have adequate staff and infrastructure ready to handle the potentially massive influx of early-season visitors without compromising safety or experience.
eliphas
Offering a reduced day pass for the pre-opening is a nice gesture to kick things off. Still, it's a shame that the full season passes and daily rates are likely to remain quite high, making it less accessible for many families.
Noir Black
They talk about 'extensive slopes,' but it's usually just a few main runs. Overhyped, as usual.
Eugene Alta
That €45 pre-opening pass is a steal! Smart move to get people up early.