In fact, the average height of the mountains you'll find here are less than 2000 meters (lowest place is just under 900 meters), with the tallest peak being Coma Pedrosa standing at 2500 meters. If you're an avid skier or just like to get away for an annual ski holiday, then Andorra may be the place for you?cool summers and wintery, snowy winters make for an outdoor Mecca of sorts.



Because Andorra is situated between France and Spain so perfectly, it's quite easy to get to. Given this, it's surprising how small the crowds become when France and Spain are bursting at the seams with tourists. This is not to say that Andorra is not popular, quite the contrary. Andorra is just an alternative ski holiday destination'it seems that not everyone thinks of coming here, even though it's so close and offers comparable skiing.

The ski resorts in Andorra are a fantastic choice for intermediate and beginner skiers. Experts can have a challenging time too, but the slopes are more geared to the middle ground holiday skier. There are ski schools and board schools, then, to teach you anything you may not already know. The ski resorts in Andorra are full of places for young teeny-bobbers to go and hit the apres ski venues well into the night; but, also, Andorra has plenty of resorts catering to an older, or at least a more peaceful, crowd. The ski resorts of Andorra offer plenty for solo and family skiers.

Some Andorra skiing you'll find on the eastern end of the country include Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, Soldeu el Tarter, Canillo and Encamp. On the westernmost side of Andorra, you'll find the Arinsal, Pal, La Massana, and Ordino-Arcalis ski areas the most inviting. Though some of the ski resorts run into eachother or share common space with either Spain or France, some offer some really distinct skiing.

Arinsal is a nice place for beginners. There are 68 km of pistes and 43 total runs, with 19 of those reserved for beginners. With 30 total lifts, you'll not be waiting around for your turn all day. Encamp ski resort in Andorra has a snowboard park and 100 total runs, with 40 of those dedicated for beginners. There are nearly double the lifts than at Arinsal with 63 total lifts taking you to a max height of 2600 meters. Similarly, La Massana has a lift that takes you to 2570 meters and gives you 89 pistes to practice on. There's even one snowboard park and 26 lifts with plenty of snow cannons. The longest run you'll have here is 6 km.

Pal in Andorra, on the other hand, can take you only to 2560 meters on the highest of 30 lifts. The resort itself lies at 780 meters but you'll find 68 km of runs just above it. There are 42 total runs and beginners and intermediates will both be well served with 19 and 18 runs respectively. There are snow cannons and a max per person uphill service of 30,000 skiers per hour. Pas de la Casa is a little lower resort and lies at just over 2000 meters. The highest lift, however, will take you higher than Pal at 2640 meters. The longest run here is 6 km but there are 51 total runs, more than many of the other resorts. The reason is simple: the 40 beginner and 37 intermediate ski runs leaves 23 expert runs, probably the most you'll find in Andorra. There are 63 lifts (almost double the others) and plenty of snow cannons keeping 95,000 skiers per hour snow bound and happy. Soldeu el Tarter can take you to 2560 meters high on 63 lifts and 193 km of pistes. This means there are 100 runs and 40 reserved for beginners and 37 for intermediates. There are snow cannons and north facing slopes.

The good thing about all these ski resorts in Andorra is the price, comparably cheaper than other alpine resorts, especially for Western Europe. Though the vibe may be the same and the resorts uniformly the "same" in appearance, design and slopes, the skiing here is second to none if you want some great skiing without "western" prices. The snow is reliable and if you're with friends rather than family, you'll have the chance to participate in an apres ski venue that is exciting and wild. The slopes are nicely cared for across the board and the whole of Andorra has nice lifts, groomed pistes and plenty of things to do on and off the slope. Combined with a duty free country, you can't serve your vices for any cheaper.