Ski Holidays in Andorra - Call now on Freephone 0800 652 8552

Skiing holidays in Andorra - Over the past few seasons Andorra, the tiny principality in the Pyrenees, sandwiched between France and Spain, has grown from a budget priced backwater, known for its duty free drink and easy, cheap and cheerful skiing, to become a major player in the global winter sports industry.

The enigma is, how can a country with a booming ski industry have less than half as many ski areas today as it did 10 years ago? The answer is that Andorra – unlike other areas that have seen ski centers close down in recent years, has invested heavily with hi-tec new lifts at all of its ski areas. The miracle of the shrinking ski area numbers has resulted from that success as smaller ski areas grow bigger and merge together.

Pas de La Casa, Grau Roig and Soldeu - El Tarter are already lift linked and are now collectively Grand Valira; Pal and Arinsal are also lift-linked and have merged marketing efforts with the remaining centre of Ordino (Arcalis) to become Vall Nord.

Another improvement designed to attract a more upmarket sector involves concentration on the construction of four and five star accommodation. The resorts have also been spending on 'alternative facilities' besides skiing and

shopping such as high class swimming and leisure complexes. These include the most dramatic building in La Vella is the spectacular Caldea 'Thermoludic Centre' where mirrored glass crystal spires cut the skyline. A serious health centre, it features a vast array of luxurious pools as well as health and beauty treatments The gondola-linked base at Canillo is a good choice as it is one of the larger villages and has an excellent indoor sports centre, Andorra's national facility, including swimming pool and ice rink. For more information on skiing holidays in Andorra call freephone 0800 652 8552