Andorra is a destination to visit all year round

nature in Andorra, Andorra apartments offers, Culture & Art in Andorra, events in Andorra, hiking, mountain and summer sports, ski and winter sports 10 de April de 20249 de April de 2024

Andorra is a country to be experienced 365 days a year, and each season has its own special charm! In spring, nature awakens, in summer the sun and the good weather invite you to extend your days in the mountains, and autumn is ideal to escape from routine after your holidays. And the first snowfalls are the first sign that winter is approaching, marking the start of the ski season.
Each season offers different experiences to enjoy in your own way and with whoever you want, whether you are travelling as a couple, with your family or with friends.
Here we tell you all about it!

Spring bursts out in all its splendour

It is the favourite time of the year for many. Temperatures are more pleasant when it comes to taking advantage of the last of the snow to go skiing before the resorts close, ski touring or snowshoeing. But it is also a perfect time for cycling without getting cold or going for a walk or run in the city or the mountains when the snow is gone.
In May and June, the first sporting events and open-air music festivals begin in Andorra and continue until the beginning of autumn.

The quietest season

Another reason to be a fan of this season is that it is less crowded compared to summer or winter. After Easter and before July, there are fewer visitors to Andorra. You’ll be able to stroll and go shopping at your leisure, and you won’t have to stress about booking a table in one of the country’s busiest restaurants. But what’s more, if you get away in spring, you’ll enjoy better prices . Book your spring break on our website and benefit from an extra 10% discount.

In summer you won’t stop!

Parties, festivals and outdoor activities, as well as trail running, road cycling and mountain biking competitions are always on the agenda – check out the events calendar to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
The word that best defines summer in Andorra is: active. These are the days to pack your backpack and go hiking. It doesn’t matter if you climb a peak or reach a lake: nothing compares to having breakfast or lunch surrounded by the sounds of nature. In Andorra, you’ll find hiking trails available for all levels and with durations that are affordable for everyone.

Much more than hiking

You can also set aside a day for the endless activities in the heart of nature offered by the ski resorts during the summer months, perfect for children, without forgetting to make time for culture! Summer gives you the chance to visit the Romanesque churches that are only open at this time of year, or to attend museum nights with small concerts, performances and cultural routes.
And to round off the summer season: an essential part of your visit is a sunset over the mountains from one of Andorra’s viewpoints, an impressive souvenir to take home with you!

Autumn is all about colours, flavours and lots of shopping

During this time of year, getaways to make the most of the weekends and long weekends in autumn are commonplace. Temperatures are still pleasant and there are enough daylight hours to stroll through the streets of the country and have a drink on the terraces.
At the end of September, nature begins its transformation and changes its colour palette from green to ochre, orange and reddish tones. Undoubtedly, a visual spectacle that captivates everyone who sees it.

The shopping festival

In November, the Andorra Shopping Festival is held, a festival for shopping lovers. During the weekends, in the country’s shopping centre you can attend live performances, travelling shows, as well as take advantage of discounts and special promotions. This is the time to get ready for the coming winter season and renew your ski equipment.
For foodies, Andorra Taula is also here, the country’s culinary days whose proposals will delight you .

And then comes the star season of the year: winter.

Skiing, snowboarding and snow activities are the things to look forward to in December in Andorra. This season is synonymous not only with snow sports, but also with celebrations. Christmas, New Year and Epiphany festivities fill the streets with a festive spirit. Lights, Christmas markets and decorations create a magical atmosphere, ideal for enjoying with family or friends. In winter Andorra also celebrates Carnival, a great opportunity to discover local traditions and the much-desired Valentine’s Day.

The après-ski in Andorra

Of course, no snow day is complete without après-ski. A tradition that turns afternoons and evenings into moments of relaxation and entertainment. Andorra offers a wide variety of options.

Plans to do 365 days a year

In Andorra you’ll find activities to enjoy all year round. From shopping in its commercial hubs, to visiting museums that tell the story of the country’s history and culture, to relaxing or having fun in Caldea. Ice skating is an option at any time of year, while visiting the picturesque Andorran villages allows you to discover the rustic charm of the Pyrenees. Each activity offers a unique experience, making Andorra the perfect place for those looking for variety and charm all year round.

Year-round accommodation

Els Llacs Mountain Apartments are also for year-round enjoyment and the pace of the plans Andorra has to offer. They are located in Bordes de Envalira, just 2 minutes from Soldeu by car and opposite the Grandvalira ski resort. Here you will feel at home, in holiday flats that stand out for their uniqueness and are fully equipped with all the comforts you can imagine. We also have a children’s mini-club and a spa, so that everyone can make the most of their holidays in Andorra, whether in summer or winter.
Get ready for adventure and book your flat in Andorra!

grandvalira-finales-copa-mundo-esqui-alpino

This winter, Andorra is the stage for major competitions

ski and winter sports, events in Andorra 10 de January de 20248 de January de 2024

We’re kicking off an exciting year at Grandvalira Resorts. Get ready for action and excitement, because the most eagerly awaited sporting events are about to hit the Andorran ski slopes. Don’t miss this opportunity: join the adventure and experience the great competitions in Andorra.

Women’s Slalom and Giant Slalom World Cup

Very close to the flats, the Avet slope, located in Soldeu, will host a women’s alpine skiing World Cup event in February. On this occasion, the most technical events will be disputed: the slalom and the giant slalom. After last year, when the finals were held, this season the best female skiers, including the current champion, Mikaela Shiffrin, return to compete in an event that will not lack excitement. Among them
The AUDI Fis Ski World Cup Soldeu 2024 will take place on 10 and 11 February, on the Avet piste in Soldeu, Grandvalira.

The Freeride World Tour comes back to Ordino Arcalís

The week before, the freestyle championship par excellence arrives. The world’s top snow and ski riders have an appointment in Andorra to delight the public with impossible jumps. Since 2015, the Ordino Arcalís resort has hosted one of the Freeride World Tour 2024 By Peak Performance events. It is a worldwide competition made up of only 5 events, so it is an honour that one of them takes place in Andorra.
The Freeride World Tour will take place from the 1st to the 7th of February, in the Ordino Arcalís resort of Grandvalira Resorts, located in the northern valley of the country. To move around we advise you to do it by car and leave the flat in good time.

World Cup KM Launched in Grau Roig

Once again, the Riberal track will be the setting for a World Cup event of the Launched Kilometre World Cup. In March we will be able to see the fastest skiers in the world in action in Grandvalira. It is the only ski slope in Andorra prepared for this type of competition, which can reach up to 200 km/hour.
The length of the track is 887 metres with a braking area of 450 metres. It has a gradient of 200 metres, with the beginning of the track measuring 2,538 metres and the end 2,338 metres. It also has a 10-metre tower at the starting point, to ensure the maximum gradient of 78%.
The KM Launch races will be held from 12 to 14 March, on the Riberal piste, in the Grau Roig sector of Grandvalira. This competition, like the Alpine skiing World Cup, is also close to the Els Llacs Apartaments.

2029 World Championships

Andorra is a candidate to host the 2029 Alpine skiing world championships, the highest competition in this discipline. Grandvalira is up against 4 other candidates and the mystery will be revealed in June 2024 when the FIS (International Ski Federation) will announce the chosen one.

Book your accommodation in Andorra

This season there are plenty of events awaiting you in Andorra. We are sure that we will attend them all. So, if you also want to be a spectator in the front row, you only have to book your flat in Els Llacs Mountain Apartments, for the desired dates.

We are located in Bordes d’Envalira near the sectors, Soldeu and Grau Roig where the World Cups are held. To get to Ordino-Arcalís, you will have to travel a little further, as the resort is located in the north of the country, but by car you can get there in about 1 hour.
Experience the thrill of the big competitions in Andorra!

Discover what awaits you this season in Grandvalira

with children, events in Andorra, ski and winter sports 20 de December de 202320 de December de 2023

Winter is finally here and the ski season has begun. Maybe you’ve already done a few runs in the snow or maybe you’re still counting down the days until your getaway to Andorra. If you are about to plan your holidays in the snow, get ready to discover the new features that await you this year in Grandvalira. We tell you everything you need to know for your next ski trip.

Grandvalira grows with more kilometres of slopes

That’s right! This year you will be able to enjoy 3 new red pistes in the Canillo sector, which have been built in the Encampanada area next to the Seig chairlift, which is also new. The resort has now grown to 140 pistes and 215 kilometres.
On the other hand, it has also implemented improvements in the high section of the Port-Grau piste in the Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig sectors, in the Port d’Envalira – Antenes area. This area will be the entrance to the future ICONIC high-altitude sports performance centre.

Ski mountaineering and snowshoeing circuits

Ski mountaineering and snowshoeing enthusiasts will also see their opportunities in the snow increase. It is true that alpine skiing is the king sport, but Grandvalira is committed to a good number of snow sports and activities and incorporates new ones every season.
In Soldeu you will find a new ski mountaineering circuit and 6 new snowshoeing circuits in the Soldeu, El Tarter and Canillo sectors.

Improvements in infrastructures and services

The resort is making improvements to its facilities to ensure a comfortable and pleasant stay for all skiers.
Pas de la Casa inaugurates a new multifunctional building, the 2,222 Costa Rodona, with ski lockers and 230 lockers.
In the 3 Grandvalira snowparks, up to 8 modules have been added and 2 more have been improved. This gives freestyle lovers a new inventive way to enjoy their favourite discipline.
It also offers renewed proposals for families at the Pas de la Casa and Cortals children’s school, with improved circuits, and at the Kids Forest in Pas de la Casa, where a new circuit with more modules and play elements suitable for children has been opened. For its part, Soldeu has refurbished the nursery and has also extended its crèche.

Events in the resort

Once again this year, Grandvalira has a calendar of great sporting events and festivals that you can’t miss. Put them in the diary!
– On 10 and 11 February, the Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup returns in the Slalom and Giant Slalom categories on the Avet piste in Soldeu.
– From 12 to 14 March, the finals of the KM Launch World Cup will take place on the Riberal piste in the Grau Roig sector.
– From 4 to 7 April, Snowrow, the music and sports festival, will be back for the second time in the Grau Roig sector.

Come and see what’s new in Grandvalira

If you are planning a ski getaway for the first months of the year to discover what’s new in Grandvalira, we make it very easy for you: book your ski pass with Els Llacs Mountain Apartments and… get ready to enjoy the ski season to the fullest!

Make the most of the last long weekend of the year and start 2024 in Andorra

with children, Culture & Art in Andorra, events in Andorra 1 de December de 20234 de December de 2023

Are you ready for a unique experience to end the year? Andorra is known for its breathtaking mountain scenery and friendly atmosphere. And of course, during the festive season it is the ideal destination. If you want to know why; read on and we’ll reveal the best plans to spend the New Year’s long weekend in Andorra. We propose a getaway to start 2024 in the snow in the best way possible.

Start the year on the slopes

Wake up in a mountain apartment with views to the slopes and just a few metres from the access to Grandvalira. Prepare yourself a delicious breakfast, load your boards, boots and the rest of your ski equipment in the car, get to the resort quickly and ski – it’s as easy as that! On the first day of the year 2024, your first act will be skiing in Grandvalira.
But to make sure everything is ready, don’t forget to buy your ski pass beforehand. Book your flat with ski pass in advance and don’t let anything ruin your big day.

Eat your grapes with a view of the snow-capped mountains.

Or celebrate it your way! Do you know what the advantage of staying in a flat is? You won’t be tied to a pre-established menu or restrictive schedules. You will be able to prepare whatever you feel like during the whole New Year’s Eve long weekend and New Year’s Eve as well. In addition, you will only be surrounded by your loved ones.
However, we have just one small recommendation: don’t forget to buy chocolate with churros to start the year in the sweetest way!

The New Year’s long weekend is also a time for shopping

Unlike in Spain, where the sales start after Christmas, in Andorra they start on the first Friday before Christmas. So from 22 December you can go shopping and buy whatever you like at the best price. From electronics to prestigious fashion brands, sports clothing and equipment, cosmetics and perfumery. In all the shops you will see signs with discounts and promotions. However, remember that 1 January is one of the few days when shops do not open their doors, and on 31 December they will close their shutters a little earlier. So you will have to leave this activity for the days before.
But don’t worry, there are more proposals for the 1st of January.

Après-ski activities for the long weekend at the end of the year

Over the long weekend, you’ll be able to enjoy activities and events designed to make the most of the long weekend, especially on Saturday and Sunday.

– Christmas activities

In Andorra la Vella you can stroll through the Christmas village, ideal if you’re going with young children, as there you’ll find a skating rink, a carousel and travelling shows in the evenings. La Massana has a brand new experience: the Estelàrium. A space with a temporary planetarium where you can see the moon and the solar system through immersive films, and where you can also enjoy food trucks, concerts, shows and workshops. In Canillo you can’t miss the giant nativity scene, with life-size figures distributed all over the town.

– I just want to relax

If you’re still here on 1 January, the best suggestion, of course, is to go skiing in Grandvalira. But afterwards, to complete the day, you can recover your strength in the spa of the flats (included in the price). Or go to Caldea, which also opens on 1 January (we recommend you book in advance).

– The New Year’s concert

Framed under the theme “The colours of Strauss”, the Orquestra Nacional de Cambra d’Andorra (ONCA), conducted by Albert Gumí, will be the star of the New Year’s concert, with the aim of discovering the greatness of Johann Strauss Jr. It will take place on 1 January 2024 at 7 pm in the National Auditorium in Ordino.

Gastronomic plans for the last night of the year

Of course, an excellent way to spend New Year’s Eve is to go out for dinner with family and friends. Andorra’s restaurants offer special menus and, although you’ll find a wide variety of options all over the country, Soldeu is the closest place. The best way to make sure you don’t run out of tables is to choose where you want to go and get in touch to make a reservation beforehand, otherwise you run the risk of being left without a table.

Nightlife

Soldeu also has a good range of bars, restaurants and nightlife, both during the winter season and over the long weekend.

From skiing in the largest resort in the Pyrenees, to relaxing in spas and enjoying the delicious local gastronomy, Andorra has everything you need for a great New Year’s Eve weekend. To make your stay even more special, we suggest you stay at Els Llacs Mountain Apartments, where you can rest and recharge your batteries after a day in the snow.
We assure you that this getaway in Andorra will be a unique gift for you and your family.

The Andorra Shopping Festival is back

with children, events in Andorra 18 de October de 202318 de October de 2023

Once again this year the most eagerly awaited event of the autumn is back: the Andorra Shopping Festival, now celebrating its 10th edition. From 3 to 19 November, travelling shows, open-air concerts and activities for young and old will accompany you as you go shopping in the centre of Andorra. The activities are mainly concentrated at weekends.
Today we tell you everything you’ll find in this new edition of the shopping festival.

The Andorra Shopping Festival takes place in the street

Over three weekends a multitude of concerts, shows and workshops will be held in the main shopping areas.
On Saturdays from 7 p.m. onwards there will be after-shopping sessions with Andorran groups and singers. Take the opportunity to get to know the country’s music scene while you have a drink in one of the bars in the old quarter of the capital. The performances will take place on Saturdays 4, 11 and 18 November from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., in Plaza Guillemó and Plaza Sant Esteve.
You can also attend open-air concerts in different locations in the centre of Escaldes and Andorra la Vella on Saturdays. You’ll find a wide variety of proposals such as rock cover bands and a tribute to Rita Turner, among others, as well as DJ sessions.
The street entertainment will be rounded off by parades of original travelling shows that will liven up Saturday afternoons and mornings.
Check out the full programme of performances here.

The little ones at home will have a great time

The Andorra Shopping Festival is for the whole family. So the little ones will also take part in the shopping festival with a host of children’s activities. Families can’t miss the activities aimed at the little ones, such as concerts, a holographic puppet show or a visit to the caravan set up as a cinema, where they can discover animated short films. They will also be able to attend the workshops that have been specially organised for them. For example, they can leave their mark on the Andorra Shopping Festival’s large mural, where they can learn how to draw vertically, create a fluorescent sheet, make fabric bags or personalised bracelets. There will also be fantasy make-up and face painting.
With so many activities you’ll find it hard to go back to the flats 😉.

There are also workshops for adults!

Put yourself in the hands of experts in the make-up workshop where they will advise you with tips and tricks so you can apply them yourself in your day-to-day life. Take part in the beauty area and discover the secrets of simple or more artistic make-up, as well as a nail art workshop to learn how to make unique designs on your nails, or discover how to keep your shoes looking like new. Or take home a unique AI-generated souvenir in our photo booth: all you have to do is take a photo and choose a character option.
And while you’re strolling and shopping, you can stop off at the Café el Conseller stand to have one of their coffee and tea-based drinks or try their new products, or visit the Andorran producers’ stand to sample some of Andorra’s local produce.

Discover the selfie spots at the Andorra Shopping Festival

While you’re shopping, stroll around and find the 7 different structures scattered around the capital and Escaldes so you can take a photo of yourself and upload it to your social networks, leaving a record of your time at the festival. Each structure is 2 metres tall, created with an original artistic effect and background. You can see yourself swinging on the clouds, floating among thousands of rubber duckies or reflecting on a diamond, among others. The selfie spots are open every day from 3 to 9 November.
Will you find them all?

The water, light and music show of the capital’s new fountains

Since last summer we have a new attraction in Andorra la Vella. The new fountains located on the Paris Bridge in the Plaza de la Rotonda square light up and can create more than two thousand choreographies thanks to the combinations of music, lights and the 6 water jets. Don’t miss it every Friday and Saturday at 8.30pm.

The gastronomic days also return

The Andorra Shopping Festival dates also match the dates of the culinary days, where you can taste dishes made with local produce and local products from the country. Andorra’s restaurants offer gastronomic menus ranging from €35 to €45. You can check the guide to the country’s participating establishments and choose the one you fancy trying. Andorra a Taula” starts at the same time as the Andorra Shopping Festival, but in this case it is extended for another week, until 26 November.

Come and celebrate autumn at the Andorra Shopping Festival and have fun with all the activities programmed while you go shopping.
The guarantee that you will enjoy a good rest surrounded by mountains in a quiet area is on us at Els Llacs Mountain Apartments.
See you there?

Discover all that awaits you in Andorra this summer

events in Andorra, nature in Andorra, with children 7 de June de 20237 de June de 2023

We have no doubt that if you are reading this blog it is because you love the mountains, the outdoors and all activities related to nature. Well, we have good news! Because in summer there are endless events in Andorra. From top-level sporting competitions to concerts, festivals and parties that will liven up the days and nights of the whole family. So we bring you the agenda so you don’t miss any of them.

Trail running for mountain lovers

Mountain running lovers will find many challenging proposals.

– The Casamanya Extrem

This vertical race will allow you to crown one of the most emblematic peaks in the country on 11 June. You can choose between two routes: one of 5 kilometres and a vertical drop of 1,440 metres starting from the centre of Ordino and another of 3.5 kilometres and a positive vertical drop of 760 metres starting from the Coll de Ordino. There is also a race for the youngest members of the family (from the age of 11) who want to take their first steps in mountain races.

– The Spartan Race

The same weekend Encamp hosts the Spartan Race, the obstacle course race par excellence. It is made up of 4 races of different distances where the participants will have to face different obstacles, as well as a Kids Race for girls and boys. The Spartan Race scores points for the European Championships and the village offers activities for all ages.

– Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB

A challenge for the most demanding mountain runners. The event has 4 races of varying difficulty and will start in the village of Ordino, from 22 to 25 June. It is one of the most successful mountain running events in Andorra every summer.

– Merrel Mountain Festival Comapedrosa

The 15th edition of the most classic trail running event in Andorra will be held on 23 and 24 July. The Skyrace Comapedrosa and Skyrace Arinsal are joined by a new competition: the Vertical Comapedrosa. This year the Comapedrosa Mountain Festival will be launched and, in addition to the races, it will also offer activities for the whole family in the natural environment of the Comapedosa Park.

– The Pas de la Casa Crossing

From 12 to 13 August, a new trail running event with three distances (3km, 6km and 10km) will start and finish in Pas de la Casa.

Cycling championships and cycle-tourist rallies

One of the big stars of the summer is cycling, so there are many events in Andorra related to road cycling and mountain biking.

– Naturland Enduro Race

This is a mountain bike race that will take place at the Naturland Bike Center on 24 and 25 June. It is part of the Enduro World Series Qualifier, an international competition that qualifies the best riders for the Enduro World Series. It consists of four timed sections in the La Rabassa forest, with an advanced technical level. There will also be a race for children aged 2 to 14, the Enduro World Series Kids.

– The Andorra Epic Pyrenees

This is a mountain bike race in pairs, in the men’s, women’s and mixed categories. It has 4 stages, a total of 220 kilometres and 7160 metres of elevation gain. It is part of the Epic Series and will take place from 5 to 8 July.

– La Volta als Ports

This is the most historic cycling tour in the Principality. It includes 5 different routes, all starting from La Massana. It will be held on 23 July.

– Vallnord World Cup MTB

The Vallnord Pal bike park hosts this MTB competition which counts towards the UCI MTB World Cup from 22 to 27 August in the Cross-Country, Short-Track and Downhill categories. It is one of the most eagerly awaited events in Andorra by mountain biking fans and attracts a large number of people in summer.

– The Tour of Spain

On 28 August, the Grandvalira Resorts’ Arinsal resort will be the finish of the third stage of the Vuelta, starting from Súria. The following day, the day will start from the Parc Central in Andorra la Vella and head for Tarragona. The Vuelta a España is another of the cycling competitions that attracts the largest crowds, along with the Tour de France.

Other events in Andorra

– Outdoor Trial World Championship

From 16 to 18 June in Sant Julià you can see the best riders in the world competing in two rounds, with Toni Bou as the favourite.

– Ironman 70.3 Andorra

Yes, when we say we have everything, it’s true! The Ironman will take place on 2 July. As in previous editions, the swim (1.9km) will take place in the Engolasters lake, followed by the 90.1km road bike section in which the runners will have to climb the Coll de Ordino. The running section (a 21.1km half marathon) will start from the Parc Central in Andorra la Vella.

Parties and open-air concerts

After the sports competitions in the mountains, it’s time to relax and have fun.

– The fire nights of San Juan and San Pedro

This year the festival of the summer solstice of San Juan could not be more perfect. It’s the perfect excuse to organise a weekend getaway to Andorra and experience its fire night traditions. The whole country, from Canillo to Sant Julià, celebrates it with the traditional burning of the fallas and lighting of the bonfire. If you want to enjoy the fire festival again, you can do so on 29 June in Ordino with the burning of the Mai and its village festival.

– The Escaldes Engordany Jazz Festival

The Sala Prat del Roure, where the festival’s headliners will be performing; the Plaça Coprínceps with the “Jazz al Carrer” sessions, where you can enjoy the terrace while listening to an open-air concert or attend sessions and masterclasses for jazz lovers. This music event has been a reference point since 1984.

– The most authentic Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil presents a new show exclusively for Andorra: FESTA. This time acrobatics take centre stage to commemorate the company’s 10 years of collaboration with the Principality. We advise you to book your ticket before you come, as all seats are numbered. The shows run from Tuesday to Saturday from 1 to 30 July at 10pm.
– Evenings at the museums
The museums organise very special visits in the evenings, with small concerts, themed tours or small tastings of local beers and wines.

These are the events in Andorra that you can attend during the summer months. In case we’ve missed any, here’s the agenda for you to consult.

Whether you come to participate actively in these events or to enjoy them as an audience, you can book your flat in Andorra with us.

Grandvalira: venue for the Alpine skiing World Cup finals

events in Andorra, ski and winter sports 5 de January de 20235 de January de 2023

We are getting closer to the date when the best skiers will gather in Andorra to compete in the most important championships in the world of skiing. From 13 to 19 March, Grandvalira will host the Alpine Skiing World Cup finals for the second time in its history. At Els Llacs Mountain Apartments we love sporting events of all kinds, especially when they are so close to home. Our exceptional location, in Bordes de Envalira, just 5 minutes from Soldeu by car and 10 minutes from El Tarter, makes us the ideal accommodation to enjoy the competition. If you are a fan of the king of winter sports, keep reading to find out all the details of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals Andorra 2023.

The 2023 World Cup tracks

The event will take place in the Soldeu and El Tarter sectors of Grandvalira, on whose Avet and Áliga slopes respectively, the world’s best riders in the men’s and women’s categories will compete for the title.

The Avet slope, in Grandvalira’s Soldeu sector

The most technical slalom events, with a 210 metres vertical drop, and the giant slalom, with 416 metres of vertical drop, are held on this track. The end of the slope ends in a large skiable platform of 14,000 square metres, which connects it with the village of Soldeu. The platform was built for the first World Cup finals in 2019, with the aim of making braking easier for the participants and offering a space in which to house all the services needed for this type of event.

The Àliga slope, in the El Tarter sector of Grandvalira

This slope is the venue for the speed events: the downhill and the supergiant. The track is 2.7 kilometres long, 60 metres wide and has a gradient of 751 metres, along which runners can reach speeds of up to 120 km/hour. It has a direct finish in El Tarter, making it easy for spectators to reach the finish line and enjoy the competition.

Accredited slopes with a seal of sustainability

This summer, the company that manages the Soldeu and El Tarter sectors of Grandvalira received the “Llum Verda” seal from FEDA, the energy supply company in Andorra. This label certifies that the energy consumed is of renewable origin and that it reduces the CO2 emissions generated by up to 50%.

Competition programme

So that you don’t miss any detail of the Alpine skiing World Cup, here is a day-by-day account of the races that will take place each day on each slope:

Monday 13/03/23:

– Àliga slope, el Tarter sector: o 10h00 DH Training Men o 11h30 DH Women training sessions – In Soldeu at 19h30: opening ceremony of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals Andorra 2023.

Tuesday 14/03/23:

– Àliga slope, El Tarter sector: o 10h00 DH Women’s training sessions o 11h30 DH Men’s training sessions

Wednesday 15/03/23:

– Pista Àliga, el Tarter sector: o 10h00 DH Men o 11h30 DH Women

Thursday 16/03/23:

– Pista Àliga, el Tarter sector: o 10h00 SG women o 11h30 SG men

Friday 17/03/23:

– Pista Àliga El Tarter: o 12h00 Mixed Team Parallel (MTP) At l’Abarset, located in El Tarter, the public bib draw will take place.

Saturday 18/03/23:

– Pista Avet de Soldeu o From 9h00 to 12h00: GS men o From 10h30 to 13h30: SL women From 10h00 to 17h00: World Cup Village will be open in Soldeu

Sunday 19/03/23:

– Pista Avet in Soldeu o From 9h00 to 12h00: Women’s GS o From 10h30 to 13h30: Men’s SL o At 13h00: prize-giving ceremony From 10h00 to 17h00: the World Cup Village in Soldeu will be open.

Venue to host the World Championships in 2029

As mentioned at the beginning, Grandvalira has extensive experience in hosting this type of event, having organised European Cup and World Cup events, as well as finals in both competitions. The resort’s next goal is to host the 2029 World Championships. We will have to wait until May this year to find out which candidate has been chosen by the FIS (International Ski Federation). Fingers crossed!

If you want to experience the Alpine skiing World Cup Finals up close, book your flat at Els Llacs Mountain Apartments. In this link you can buy tickets to attend the races.

Christmas in Andorra: discover all the activities that are waiting for you

with children, Culture & Art in Andorra, events in Andorra 19 de December de 202219 de December de 2022

Discover all the Christmas activities that await you in Andorra at this time of year. From the typical Christmas markets, to the giant nativity scene in Canillo, the attractions and the decorations and lights that fill the streets. Everything is ready for the festive season and a host of family activities.

Christmas activities in Andorra la Vella

If you have already been to the country at this time of year, you will surely remember that Andorra la Vella hosts many Christmas activities in its streets.
In the Christmas village, located in the town square, you’ll find the traditional market with products from artisans from the principality, an artificial skating rink and the magic post office (ideal for the little ones to send their letter to Santa Claus). There is also a carousel and a little train for the little ones in the old fire station.
The Christmas village will be open until 31 December.

The life-size nativity scene in Canillo

Make the most of these days to stroll through the streets of Canillo and discover the life-size Nativity Scene that is displayed throughout the village. On the river walk you’ll find the Three Wise Men, the shepherds and animals await you, and in the church of Santa Creu you’ll be able to see the nativity scene. You will have more time to enjoy this Christmas activity as the figures will be installed until 15 January.

The Forest of the Menairons

In Les Fontetes square in La Massana you will find a space where the little ones will have fun with Christmas activities specially designed for them, as well as enjoying concerts and shows. There, they can play to find the 10 Menairons and Menaironas who have come down from their forest and are hiding all over La Massana. You can win prizes!
You can find more detailed information here.

Santa Claus parades

On the evening of 24th December Santa Claus will announce his arrival in the country with parades through all the parishes. The two parades closest to our apartaments are the one in Canillo and the one in Pas de la Casa. Following the Christmas customs, on Christmas Eve the main churches of the country celebrate the traditional midnight mass of the cockerel.

Start the year with music

Another tradition we don’t miss in Andorra is the famous New Year’s concert. It takes place in the National Auditorium in Ordino on 1 January at 7 pm. It is conducted by the ONCA, the Andorran National Classical Orchestra, which this year will revisit the history of the Vienna New Year’s Concert.

The Three Wise Men’s parade

And if you are one of the lucky ones who spend the Three Kings’ long weekend in the Principality, you will also be able to enjoy the traditional parades of their majesties. In Andorra it is traditional for a royal page to announce his arrival with a page boy on 4 January. And on 5 January, from 5 or 6 p.m. onwards, the carriages will fill the streets of the country’s seven parishes, so that young and old alike will be filled with magic. Check the timetables.

Enjoy the Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Epiphany festivities in Andorra and let yourself be enveloped by the halo of magic that fills the country and that can only be felt on these special dates. If you don’t want to miss any of these Christmas activities in Andorra and experience them with the whole family, book accommodation at Els Llacs Mountain Apartments.

Discover what’s new in Grandvalira for the 2022-23 season

ski and winter sports, Andorra apartments offers, events in Andorra 18 de November de 202217 de November de 2022

The slogan “What winter do you want to experience?” launches Grandvalira Resorts’ new winter season. In today’s post, we tell you all the news so that you’ll have everything ready for 2 December.

Grandvalira Resorts and the unique Andorra Pass ski pass

Grandvalira Resorts is born, a new brand that brings together all the resorts in the country: Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís. However, each of them retains its own features and distinguishing characteristics. With the new union, from this season onwards you will be able to ski all the slopes with a single ski pass. The Andorra Pass is the season ski pass to ski the more than 300 kilometres of Andorran slopes, and you can also do so with the multi-day ski pass.

New snow activities coming up

Grandvalira is planning new activities, one of which will be the creation of a giant ice and snow slide down which large doughnuts will slide. For the moment, the opening date has not been confirmed, although we already know the location, which will be in the Les Abelletes area in the Pas de la Casa sector. It will surely be a very fun activity, as we are used to from the resort.

Sports competitions calendar

Make a note of these dates and experience first-hand the great sporting events that will take place in Grandvalira during the 2022-23 winter season.

– Alpine skiing World Cup Finals

The Avet slopes in the Soldeu sector and Àliga in the El Tarter sector will host the finals of the men’s and women’s alpine skiing World Cup for the second time in their history. It will take place from 13 to 19 March 2022, just 5 minutes by car from the flats.

– KTM Cup Finals

The fastest skiers in the world will meet on the Riberal de Grau Roig piste on 29 and 30 March. Grandvalira has already hosted several competitions of this type and in 2017 the piste record was reached with 199.56 kilometres per hour.

– Freeride World Tour

Ordino Arcalís will once again host a Freeride competition from 30 January to 5 February in both men’s and women’s skiing and snowboarding. The junior competition will take place on the 5th and 6th.

Electronic music festival

Another event that could take place this winter on the Grandvalira snowfields is an electronic music festival coinciding with the dates of the Alpine skiing World Cup finals. We are awaiting confirmation of the event, but if there is a rumor there must be something to it.

Green light label: a commitment to renewable energies

The management company of the Soldeu and El Tarter sectors has been the first in the country to receive the “Llum Verda” (green light) seal awarded by the Andorran electricity company FEDA (Forces Electriques d’Andorra). With this certificate, the Soldeu and El Tarter sectors guarantee that the energy they consume is 100% of renewable origin.

Discover all the novelties of Grandvalira in first person with our offer with ski pass and night in Els Llacs Mountain Apartments.

Gastronomic guide for a foodie autumn getaway

events in Andorra, Culture & Art in Andorra 21 de September de 202219 de September de 2022

Autumn starts today! To celebrate, we propose a gastronomic tour to discover Andorra’s restaurants. You’ll find a wide range of options to suit all budgets. It includes everything from traditional Andorran cuisine to a wide variety of quality international dishes. No matter what your motivation for visiting us is, don’t worry about where to eat, because you’ll find a good restaurant in every corner of the country.

Delight yourself with the best flavours of the Orient

Discover Chinese haute cuisine at Kao Soldeu, one of Andorra’s oriental restaurants that has gained renown and fame in just a few years. It is very close to Els Llacs Mountain Apartments and is located in the Park Piolets hotel in Soldeu, just 5 minutes away by car.
Try the restaurant’s best-known dishes, such as Peking duck, the star dish on the menu. Be sure to try their assortment of Dim Sums of all tastes (meat, vegetables or seafood), which you can choose steamed, crispy or boiled. Combine them with pasta and rice dishes to recover your energy after a day of activities in Andorra and leave room for dessert. Check the opening times here.

Traditional autumn gastronomy

In Andorra you can eat well all year round, but autumn is one of the seasons that gives us the most fruits of the earth with which to prepare delicious recipes. If you are a super foodie, don’t miss any of the succulent seasonal dishes based on mushrooms (such as chanterelles, boletus or perrechicos), stews based on game such as wild boar or chamois, or grilled meat or trout. The best way to enjoy traditional Andorran cuisine is in a Borda. Many of Andorra’s typical restaurants are located in these unique buildings where livestock used to be kept, and which have been exquisitely refurbished to become the perfect place to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner. Combine these culinary delights with a hiking route, or you can even go mushroom hunting in the forest.

Made in Andorra

Delight yourself with Andorra’s products with designation of origin. Taste the cured meats made in the country, the different varieties of cheese, the 100% natural jams that do not lose their fruity flavour, honey harvested 100% in the country or the chocolate produced in Andorra’s only factory. You can also enjoy different varieties of beers and traditional liqueurs, among others. In addition, some local producers also offer the chance to visit the place where they produce these local delicacies. So don’t miss out on a visit as soon as possible.

An experience for all the senses

Andorra also boasts the production of high altitude wine. There are currently 4 wineries between 1,000 and 1,200 metres above sea level: Borda Sabaté, Casa Auvinyà, Casa Beal and Celler Mas Berenguer. Almost all the wineries offer guided tours of their facilities, which are very popular with wine lovers.

Restaurants in Andorra to suit all tastes

As we said at the beginning, in Andorra you will find a good number of restaurants, with the option of a daily menu or à la carte, market cuisine, international cuisine, tapas… And also options to suit all tastes, with vegan or gluten-free menus. Eating in Andorra is easy and you won’t have to travel far to find a good place to eat, whether you’re going to enjoy a day in the mountains, going shopping or going to one of the monuments you’re visiting.

So now you know… this autumn, liven up your getaway with culinary stops and try all kinds of dishes in Andorra’s restaurants.