Where to Ski And Snowboard - New terrain, new snow in Grandvalira

New terrain, new snow in Grandvalira

21st February 2012, by Chris Gill

New bit! (c) Grandvalira Tourism

Andorra’s Grandvalira region has a little more choice this season, in the form of new blue slopes and a new, longer red run. Plus, with lots of new snow falling last week, skiing conditions in the area have had a mighty boost on earlier in the winter.

The new terrain opened on the mountain known as Pic d’Encampadana, which sits above El Tarter and links those slopes to Canillo to the west. A couple of seasons back the resort opened several freeride routes here, but this year has also created three new blue runs at the top and a red run that returns to the mid-mountain area of Riba Escorxada. These are all served by a new short draglift, meaning laps of the freeride routes are easier now too. The new little area adds about 12km of terrain to the existing slopes.

Grandvalira is also home to extensive terrain park facilities, boasting four full parks and a new beginner area above Encamp. The Olé park has mini rails and a box line for novices to gain confidence using before tackling the bigger park areas. And following on from development last winter of a small freestyle area between Grau Roig and Soldeu, the Sunset Park Peretol now has its own freestyle ski and snowboard school too: El Peretol.

The resorts of the Grandvalira region have also been focusing on families, improving facilities for children. New at Grau Roig (between Soldeu and Pas de la Casa) is a themed children’s slope, where they can play among cartoon characters representing local wildlife.

Andorran resorts are currently enjoying some of their best snow conditions of the season, with plentiful powder falling last weekend followed by cold but sunny weather – forecast as bluebird for the rest of the week. Snow depths are now around 100-150cm on average, and much healthier than they were last month.