ANDORRA
Known for delivering the best skiing and boarding in the Pyrenees Mountains, the principality of Andorra is a 'mini country' tucked away between France and Spain. Resorts have invested €50 million in recent years in quaint mountain cafes, restaurants and creating high-tech infrastructures comprising chair lifts, gondolas and snow making machines. Andorra is a haven with its duty free shopping, magnificent scenery and top-notch slopes.
Drawing in a younger crowd, the country is ideal for group ski holidays. Duty-free Andorra benefits from value for money holiday treats such as alcohol, cigarettes and even designer labels! Andorra isn’t just great for the shopping and après, it should be taken seriously for its southern sunny slopes and excellent ski school too. Pas de La Casa, Grau Roig and Soldeu – El Tarter have all been linked since 2004 to create the Grand Valira. Resorts Pal and Arinsal have also been linked to create the aptly named Pal-Arinsal. Andorra has a relaxed way of life and friendly atmosphere, which makes it a great option for family ski holidays.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate skier or snowboarder, you’re sorted in Andorra. The ski schools are world-famous for their high quality teaching and chair lifts are fast and efficient. The snow is reliable and all the resorts are fairly close together in this tiny country, meaning if you need a change of scenery, you can always ski or drive to neighbouring resorts.
The après in Andorra is legendary. Self-catered chalets and apartments for group ski holidays are easy to find with Eclipse Ski’s cheap ski deals. The recent development of the pistes has been reflected in the arrival of nice hotels and chalets springing up in all resorts. Bargain package skiing holidays in Andorra provide accommodation to suit all budgets.
Getting There...
For Andorran packaged holidays common points of entry are Girona (Barcelona), Barcelona International or Toulouse airports. Transfers in Andorra take approx 3-4 hours from all three airports to resorts Arinsal, Pas de la Casa and Soldeu.
Travelling independently
If you are travelling independently, both budget and scheduled airlines fly directly into Girona, Toulouse and Barcelona. From these airports it’s possible to hop on a shuttle bus transfer to Andorra La Vella, from here you can get another bus to any resort. Private minibus or taxi transfers are also available.
Self-drivers can drive straight down through France travelling with ferry companies P&O or Sea France Dover to Calais and you can be on Andorran soil within 10 hours. Overnight Brittany Ferries and Direct Ferries can take you from Plymouth to Bilboa, or P&O Ferries and Direct Ferries from Portsmouth to Santander, a nice drive down through Spain if you can spare the time of the 24 hour ferry.
There are no direct trains into Andorra, however buses link it to France. Travelling from London St. Pancras you can get the Eurostar, followed by the overnight ‘Lunea’ sleeper train to l’Hospitalet pres l’Andorre. A daily bus service connects with the train for Pas de la Casa, Soldeu, Encamp or Andorra La Vella.
To take full advantage of the Grandvalira lift pass, which covers all resorts including Arinsal, Pal, Soldeu, El Tarter and Pas de la Casa, hire a car at the airport to give you the flexibility to drive around and ski all the areas at your leisure. For Pas de la Casa, you can shorten your drive time by flying into Toulouse, and for Soldeu it’s best to fly into Barcelona and Girona.
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