I traveled solo and Neilson made it very easy to get from London to Andorra. The communal dinners were also a great opportunity to meet new people!
Andorra is home to 2 fantastic ski areas, the superb 210km Grandvalira which plays host to World Cups and the 63km Vallnord, which is a bit of an all-round hidden gem.
Nestled high up in the Pyrénées, the tiny principality of Andorra may be small but the skiing and snowboarding here pack a mighty punch.
Millions have been invested to create resorts and ski areas which can compete with the big guns in France and Austria. The 210km Grandvalira area, home to our resort of El Tarter suits everyone's taste and wallet size.
The Lowdown
- 210km Grandvalira ski area
- 7 ski areas: Encamp, Canillo, El Tarter, Soldeu, Peretol, Grau Roig, Pas de la Casa
- Virtually tax-free status
- Superb value for money
- Free lift pass for under 12s
NEILSON MOUNTAIN COLLECTION
Our hotels and chalets in Andorra
Take a look around our hotel and chalet hotels in El Tarter, perfectly placed to enjoy everything the Grandvalira ski area has to offer.
What is skiing like in Andorra?
There have been huge investments in skiing in Andorra to create incredible resorts to rival those in France and Austria.
2 ski areas straddle the peaks in Andorra, the 210km Grandvalira area, which is the home of the 2023 Alpine Ski World Cup Finals, and the 63km Vallnord region. With 138 runs in Grandvalira alone, skiers of all abilities are well-catered for with 12 green runs, 56 blue runs, 50 red runs and 20 black runs making up the 210km slopes of Grandvalira.
Pas de la Casa takes the mantle for the country's highest resort sitting at 2,100m. Despite the dizzying heights, there are plenty of gentle slopes for beginners to learn the ropes on, while more experienced skiers can take on some of the more challenging runs or the 30km of cross-country trails.
Andorra ski deals
- Free ski guiding & coaching from fully qualified Neilson Mountain Experts when you stay at Neilson Hotel Del Clos, Neilson Chalet Motxo or Neilson Chalet Hotel Casale.
- Free lift pass for the group leader when 12+ people book and each pre-book a lift pass.
- Free lift pass for under 12s with each pre-booked adult lift pass. Kids aged 0-5 obtain free pass from the lift pass office with a proof of age.
- Ski & board pack bundles - Make extra savings with our ski & board pack bundles. Choose a lift pass and equipment bundle or add on tuition too.
- Ski & board carriage - Save money and reserve a space on the plane for your kit by pre-booking ski & board carriage.
Andorra ski season
Andorra’s ski season typically runs from December to April. Thanks to recent investment, over 1,000 snow cannons now keep around 66% of the Grandvalira area snow-covered throughout the season. For the freshest snowfalls, the altitude of the slopes of Pas de la Casa ensures consistent snowfall throughout the season.
Nearby Arinsal also benefits from good snow reliability on the 63km of tree-lined slopes that cover the Vallnord region. The altitude and plenty of snow cannons ensure you’re almost guaranteed snow on 28km of their slopes.
Après-ski in Andorra
All of the Grandvalira and Vallnord ski areas come with an après ski scene as lively or laid-back as you want them to be. For the biggest choice though, Pas de la Casa is hard to beat. Over 30 bars and 60 restaurants cater to a wide range of winter holidaymakers.
Choose from a leisurely meal by a roaring log fire or join the party scene and keep the adrenaline rush from the day going late into the night. Happy hours typically start once the lifts close and Soldeu and El Tarter run a ski bus until 10pm.
More than just skiing
As well as outstanding pistes and excellent snow conditions, our resorts are only a short bus ride from Andorra La Vella, the capital of Andorra. Virtually tax free, it boasts over 2000 luxury shops and one of the largest spas in Europe.
Not only is Andorra a great country for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, it also offers excellent value and a superb nightlife. So what are you waiting for? It’s probably about time you gave Andorra a go.
Family ski holidays in Andorra
Andorra’s slopes are a great place to take beginners and kids on family ski trips. One of Europe’s best ski schools is based in Soldeu and El Tarter, and in nearby Arinsal you’ll find an on-the-mountain creche with slopeside childcare facilities. These are just some of the reasons why Andorra is a superb base for family ski holidays.
There’s loads to keep the kids busy, both on and off the slopes. With a vibrant après scene and family-friendly activities, Arinsal strikes the perfect balance for family trips away. Guests staying in El Tarter can take advantage of our excellent kids’ clubs based at the Neilson Hotel del Clos.
Couples ski holidays in Andorra
When it comes to couples’ ski holidays there’s an Andorran ski region to suit every type of winter sports duo. If you like to get competitive on the slopes or simply enjoy the snow-capped views from a cosy fireside, we think Andorra has the ideal mix of romantic settings and powder-perfect pistes.
Pas de la Casa puts you at the heart of both the 210km Grandvalira ski area and Andorra’s legendary nightlife scene. High octane thrills are never far away, and you can’t go wrong with a trip to Pas de la Casa’s snow park to watch the experts take on the halfpipe.
For a couples’ ski holiday with a more laid back feel, El Tarter blends modern facilities with traditional ski style. A handful of bars and restaurants cater for couples looking to share a romantic meal. For cocktails, our Neilson Hotel Del Clos bar has a small but tempting menu to choose from.
Eating like a local
Being so close to Spain, Andorran cuisine is very similar with plenty of tapas - smaller dishes which are perfect for sharing. Meals in Andorra are meant to be savoured, so be ready for some laid-back lunches.
Popular ingredients include meats, potatoes and fish, all accompanied with plenty of fresh veggies and salads. The national dish is Escudella, a one-pot meal of chicken, pork, potatoes, pasta, rice, beans and veggies. The perfect kind of food to fuel your days on the mountain.
Where is Andorra?
Andorra is nestled in the southern High Pyrenees mountains between Spain and France. To its north and east lies the south of France, whilst Spain borders the south and west part of Andorra.
Despite its remote location, this tiny principality is just a 3-hour drive from both Barcelona and Carcassonne meaning it’s fairly easy to get to from all over Europe.
It’s one of the smallest states in Europe, and its capital city, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital in Europe, sitting at 1,023 metres above sea level. Its elevation and mountain location makes it one of the best places on the continent for skiing and snowboarding, which you’ll find plenty of at our ski resort in El Tarter!
What language is spoken in Andorra?
Catalan is the only official language of Andorra, making it the only country in the world that has Catalan as its sole official language.
Although not an official language, Spanish is also widely spoken in the principality. French is also a common language, given Andorra’s proximity to France, and French is the mother tongue of just under 9% of people in Andorra. Children in Andorra may attend either an Andorran, French or Spanish school, which use Catalan, French and Spanish respectively as their main teaching language.
The other major language used is Portuguese, the first language of around 17% of those in Andorra.
What time is it in Andorra?
Andorra is 1 hour ahead of the UK. Like much of Europe, it works on Central European Time (CET), whilst the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the winter and British Summer Time (BST) during the summer months.
That means you should keep in mind that you’ll lose an hour between your flight departing and arriving in Andorra.
How do I get to Andorra?
Andorra doesn’t have an international airport, but it’s still easy to get there from anywhere in the UK. The closest airport in France is Toulouse, which is between 2.5 and 3 hours away from Andorra. We use Toulouse or Barcelona for our package holidays to Andorra.
When you fly into Toulouse or Barcelona on a Neilson package holiday, you can sit back and relax for a couple of hours on your transfer to our resort in El Tarter.
Andorra travel info
- Departure airports: London Gatwick
- Arrival airport: Toulouse (in France), Barcelona (in Spain)
- Departure day: Sundays
- Flight time from UK: Approx. 2 hours
- Local time: GMT/BST+1
- Language: Spanish/Catalan
- Currency: Euro
- Visa info: A visa is not currently needed for UK passport holders