Andorra – Andorra Mountain Collective

Experience summer here...

Stunning Lakes & Mountains, Road Cycling Heaven
A Huge Outdoor Activity Playground

Not just a winter destination…

Ski, snowboard, snowshoe, ski tour and more.
A great value destination for your winter snow holiday

Travel Guide

About Andorra

Andorra “El Pais dels Pirineus” (The Country of the Pyrenees) is located at the heart of the Pyrenean Mountain range and neighboured by both Spain and France. Andorra boasts the highest capital city in Europe with Andorra La Vella resting in the valley between the ski resorts at 1023 Meters above sea level. Andorra is the 6th smallest nation in Europe but it offers a big holiday experience with fantastic modern facilities opening up a vast expanse of varied terrain for winter and summer sports.

About Andorra

Andorra is the 6th smallest nation in Europe but it offers a big holiday experience with fantastic modern facilities opening up a vast expanse of varied terrain for winter and summer sports.

Andorra is on the World Map…

World Cup ski racing, World Cup ski mountaineering, world class freestyle ski and snowboard competitions, Mountain Bike World Cup, Tour de France, La Vuelta de España, Sky race, World Cup Trial Bike competition, Classic Car Rallies you name it and it is happening here in Andorra. It is absolutely worth the journey.

Andorra is not in the EU. Here are some handy things to know before you arrive…

The Euro is the currency used
Most establishments take card payments, but some only deal in cash. Please check upon arrival.
EHIC cards are NOT valid.
You should purchase personal travel and medical insurance for all guests travelling to Andorra that covers you for all your travel needs as well as any activities you will be partaking in.
Mobile phone usage in Andorra can be pricey. We advise switching your roaming off as soon as you cross the border to try to avoid any large bills.

Standard European 2-pin adaptor plugs will work for you electrical items

Winter – Skiing and Snowboarding in Andorra

Andorra’s resorts have incredible and varied terrain with those all important beginners areas available to the first time or more nervous person. Do not however let that deter you if you like your speed, your steeps or taking flight. Andorra’s resorts have the much more challenging, heart pumping and bottom twitching terrain for the more adventurous sliders. Discover off the beaten track areas on Snowshoes or Touring skis along with your professional guide. Spectacular evening dinners up the mountain with a piste basher to and from the restaurant, a beautiful experience if you wish to see the stars and be on the mountain at night time. For that extra special day out choose to be helicoptered to the peaks; pristine and untouched snow….. Unforgettable…

Summer – Activity Central in the Mountains

Andorra is somewhere that many people haven’t discovered in the warmer months of the summer. Often overlooked and thought of solely as a “winter destination” you will be truly amazed at what is on offer in this active nation. With a hefty list of pro cyclists living in the tucked away valleys, this is an incredible mecca for road cycling. Hosting over 30 mountain passes at high altitude to tackle it’s no wonder they chose to live and train here. Voted the best UCI Downhill Mountain Bike course in the world in 2019, this is another reason to choose your summer break in Andorra. The bike park is open during 5 months of the summer offering lessons if you are starting out or improving, or watching the World Cup with all of your favourite riders. We have GR routes for you hikers, overnight stays in Mountain huts (Refugis), zip wires, rope parks (tree circuits) the list is vast. Honestly, a week is not long enough to experience everything Andorra has to offer.

Andorra Mountain Collective can arrange everything for you for both summer and winter getaways. Just send an email to us at hello@andorramountaincollective.com or fill out our enquiry form to let us know what you are looking for.

How to get here… and home of course!

By Plane

Barcelona, Toulouse, Girona, Lleida, Reus, Pau, Perpignan, Carcassonne are all within a driving distance. Barcelona offers the highest number of airport bus transfers all year round, which we can arrange for you, followed by Toulouse. There are less frequent buses from some of the other airports but hiring a car is always an option, giving you more chance to discover the surrounding areas at your own pace.

By Car & Ferry

This may become an increasingly popular option with potential new rules regarding air travel post

Covid-19. With the potential of having to arrive at the airport 4 hours before flying, jumping in the car and enjoying a drive could now be a real alternative.

We suggest looking at –

Via Michelin
AA Route finder
Rome2Rio

To find the best possible route at the time of travelling.

From the UK you would have to take either a ferry or the Eurotunnel. Don’t assume that Dover – Calais is the only option. There are numerous routes available to you. We often travel Newhaven – Dieppe where some great rates can be found but you can also take a more scenic route overnight from Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander in the Basque Country.

In short you have many options, feel free to ask for our advice on getting here and back home.

Choose Your Resort

ARINSAL

Arinsal for us and many other returning guests and friends feels like home. The village is located in the northwest of Andorra and sits at 1550m in altitude. Arinsal is accessed by a single road and reaches a dead end at the entrance of the stunning National Parc of the Comapedrosa Valley, one of the most popular hiking* areas in the Pyrenean summer. Our village is in a cul-de-sac making it a firm family friendly and popular resort.

Arinsal and Pal ski slopes are linked by a big mountain cable car at the top of the mountain which means your ski pass covers the whole area, regardless of which resort you chose to stay in. The two resorts boast some tough and challenging runs that require a lot of concentration; total beginner areas to learn and practise and lots of Skimo areas for those Randonee* enthusiasts. It really is a destination with varied levels and activity choices. Come and visit us to find out for yourselves!

The village itself is less than 3km long and predominantly on one stretch of road. You will find an abundance of bars and restaurants, some of which have live music in the evenings, terraces to wine and dine on, and a place to have a good laugh and chat about the days shenanigans during après ski. With many restaurants offering flavours from around the world at a very reasonable price, we urge our guests to get out and explore what Arinsal has to offer. Not bad for a small village we would say.

Prices for being in this ski resort are quite reasonable, with bottles and pints of beer starting from €2.50 and if you like your spirits with a mixer, these start from as little as €5.50. Many of the bars have some great Après ski deals for when you’ve finished your day on the slopes and earnt that all important beverage.

Majority of places accept card as a form of payment, but we do have a cash machine in resort. You can make use of the 2 small supermarkets to buy any essentials or your weekly shop if you’ve chosen to stay in one of our apartments. Our closest town is La Massana, only 4km away and reached easily by the local bus (L5) throughout the day, here you will find the local pharmacies in the bustling residential town.

From the bottom of the village in Erts opposite the hotel Palarine you have the free skibus service that loops the village throughout the day in the winter season, starting from 08.20am. This means no walking uphill to the gondola or chairlift wherever you are staying. The Els Oriols gondola in the centre of Arinsal is the main ski access for most of the village, however if you choose to stay in the Ushuaia at the top of the road, you have an easier option of the Josep Serra express 6 man chair lift to access the slopes.

When you are here, take a glance up to the nights sky to see how much clearer you can see the stars and planets. Sitting nearly a mile higher in vertical altitude than the UK, the air pollution is far less which lends to the magnificent views. The Xalet Igloo* restaurant at the top of Arinsal ski slopes is the perfect evening to enjoy dinner and star gazing. It’s beautiful and memorable.

Whether you are new to Arinsal or returning, you will be welcomed and looked after. It will make you want to return year after year in both summer and winter, like so many of you already do.

*Ask us about the activities and experiences on offer.

LA MASSANA

La Massana is the main town of our parish (there are seven parishes in Andorra) and is located at the bottom of the Pal ski slopes. Located in the northwest of Andorra and sits at 1240m in altitude. La Massana is a residential town and easily accessible from the neighbouring resort of Arinsal. It’s on the main bus route to the capital city of Andorra la Vella with buses (L5 & L6) running every 15 minutes.

The town is very flat unlike Arinsal so you can have a nice walk around without too much up and down. The La Massana gondola has easy access and takes you directly to the beginner area of the Pal ski station.

The main road through the town is just under 4km long. Along the way you will find a choice of cafes, bakeries, tapas bars, supermarkets, restaurants, the Coco Escape Rooms* and the only shop in Andorra where they actually make their own chocolate. La Massana has a more low-key après ski feel than its neighbouring resort of Arinsal. You can enjoy the café lifestyle in this pleasant town.

The summer season here is extremely popular. You can load your mountain bike* in the gondola and head down the mountain tracks or take lessons* if you need them. Sunbathe around the outdoor swimming pool in the town, hop on the bus to La Cortinada and take in a round of Par3 Golf (handicap not needed and golf clubs can be hired) or to Ordino and take in some of the exhilarating activities such as Canyoning* or Via Ferrata*. There is so much to choose from that a week really won’t be long enough.

*Ask us about the activities and experiences on offer.