AD
Grandvalira & the Ski Slopes
The largest ski area in the Pyrenees, linking Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp
The largest ski area in the Pyrenees, linking Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp
The highest sector and a busy resort town on the French border, known for its shops and nightlife. Slopes start right in town.
Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0
The most popular base for British and international skiers, with ski schools and long tree-lined runs. The Avet slope hosts Alpine Ski World Cup races.
Photo: Tournasol7, CC BY 4.0
Above Grau Roig, a chain of glacial lakes forms one of Andorra’s most popular summer walks.
Start early in summer to avoid the crowds and afternoon storms.
Photo: Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart, CC BY 4.0
A cantilevered viewing platform above Canillo with a sculpture of a seated figure and a long view down the Valira d’Orient valley.
Photo: Alberto-g-rovi, CC BY 3.0
Just outside Canillo, this Romanesque church with a slender bell tower is one of the best preserved in Andorra.
Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mountain restaurants serve grilled meat, stews and pasta; a meal on the slopes costs more than in the valley. Try trinxat and hot chocolate.
Soldeu and Pas de la Casa have the widest choice of restaurants and bars.
Pas de la Casa is about 30km from Andorra la Vella and Soldeu about 20km, linked by local buses. The Funicamp gondola from Encamp and the lift from Soldeu also give access from the valley. Buses run from Barcelona (airport and city) and Toulouse, each about 3 hours. The small Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell airport just over the Spanish border has a few weekly flights from Madrid and Palma.
Andorra has no airport and is not part of the EU or the Schengen area, but you can only reach it through Spain or France, so Schengen entry rules apply on the way. Bring your passport, as there are customs checks at the borders.
Andorra uses the euro. Taxes are lower than in Spain and France, which makes shopping popular, but hotels and ski passes are priced at normal Alpine-resort levels. Customs limits apply to goods you take back into the EU.
Lift-pass prices change by date; book online for the best rates.
Skiing in winter, lakes in summer.
Ski the tree-lined runs around Soldeu and El Tarter.
Cross to Grau Roig and Pas de la Casa for the highest slopes and views into France.
Ski the Canillo sector, then visit the Roc del Quer viewpoint and Sant Joan de Caselles.
🛂 Entry rules: EES and ETIAS
Andorra has no border controls of its own for most visitors; you arrive through the Schengen area, so its rules apply.
EES (in force): since 10 April 2026 the EU’s Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors’ passport details, fingerprints and a photo the first time they enter the Schengen area, replacing passport stamps. Allow extra time at the border on your first trip; later crossings are quicker. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are not registered.
ETIAS (not yet running): a €20 online travel authorisation for visitors who don’t need a visa, such as UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. It hasn’t started and no start date has been confirmed, so nobody can apply yet; ignore websites that offer to “pre-register” you for a fee.
Visa-free visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.
Official information: EU: Travel to Europe (EES & ETIAS) · Reviewed September 2026
Buy passes online in advance; prices vary by date.
Wind can close the highest lifts; check the lift status app.
Free ski buses run between villages and lift stations in season.
Carry ID for border checks, especially from Pas de la Casa.
Quick answers for planning time in Grandvalira.
About 215km of slopes and some 75 lifts.
Usually from early December to April.
Soldeu, El Tarter and Canillo have ski schools and easy slopes.
Some lifts open for hiking and mountain biking in July and August.
By bus from Barcelona or Toulouse to Andorra, then local buses.
Catalan is the official language; Spanish and French are widely spoken.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Andorra travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.