Ordino-Arcalis Ski Area – Andorra

The Ordino-Arcalis ski area is not well known among English tourists. However, it is very popular among the Spanish and French. But its numerous attractions will no doubt make it even more enticing to other visitors.

Location and How to Get to This Specific Site

The ski area is situated at Ordino parish (administrative division) in Andorra. To be more specific, it is at the parish’s northwestern section. It is seen at the valley of El Serrat. This is 25 km to the north of Andorra La Villa.

What to See There

There is no village at the Ordino-Arcalis ski area. It is simply used for skiing. The popular Vallnord ski pass is part of the area. The downhill skiing is 24 km. There are 14 ski lifts with 24 pistes. The resort is 1500 m high. Boarding may be done at the area. Snowboarding is possible with pistes above 2500 meters.

After skiing, you can relax and enjoy the scenery. The trees along the routes make the views even more enticing. One of the most popular runs is La Balma. This commences close to the mountaintop. It goes right through the base station.

The Bar les Portelles is a nice place to stop and relax. From the site you will be able to see the beauty of Andorra. The chairlifts are also exciting; they are some of (if not the) longest chairlifts in the world.

History

The area is made up of two valleys. Most of the slopes face north. Due to its location, it is one of the best resorts at the Pyrenees. The Pic d’Arcalis is 2776 m high.

The highest lift is La Pleta at 1,620 m. Technology has resulted in several modifications to the accommodations. The modern design is responsible for ending the system queues. This has made it more comfortable for visitors.

Cost

The total costs vary, but it usually ranges from 330 to over 500 Euros. The cost will go up even more depending on the accommodation.

Other Info

The ski lifts have the capacity to lift 13,500 snowboarders / skiers every hour. They are capable of boosting natural snow by way of the Snow Cannons.

If you are a new skier, the Ordino-Arcalis ski area has some easy runs. For those who are skilled, there are more complex runs available. if you are up to the challenge, try the off-piste at Creussans and Cercle de la Coma.