In Andorra you can find several ski resorts, one of the bests is Pas de la Casa. It is situated just a few hundred meters from the French border. It is a perfect getaway for a skiing-weekend from Barcelona. It takes only 2,5 hours by car!
Grandvalira – Pas de la Casa is the highest resort in the Pyrenees with an altitude of 2050m and the highest lift at 2640m. All in all there are 124 ski slopes in the territory: 20 green, 41 blue, 37 red and 26 black slopes. I was there 2 days and I could only try half of them, but I have to say that they are excellent! Don’t be afraid of the black slopes, they just try to scare you in the beginning. My favourite on is called ‘Mirador’. The red ones vary in difficulty level, there are some which are easy and don’t need several years of practice. Like ‘Pista llarga’. You can find more challenging ones as well, like ‘Directa II’.
Are you a beginner? No problem. There is also a beginner area with some more gentle slopes, endorsed by an excellent ski school with lots of English speaking instructors. There are several slopes for kids; one of them is decorated with giant trees, flowers and other forest element. I’m sure that the kids are enjoying it, it’s like a playground for them!
Did you get hungry during skiing? At the peak of Coll Banc (2528m) you can find a nice restaurant with amazing 360° views. The food is really good; I would recommend their soups. After a long day of skiing you can choose from several restaurants in the valley. I think I ate one of the best burgers in my life in KSB. The nightlife is pretty good. There are a lot of bars what you can choose from.
Do you want to go shopping? You are in the best place. In Pas de la Casa the prices are 20-30% cheaper then in Barcelona. There are even better discounts in Andorra la Vella. On the way back to Barcelona it is recommended to stop for a little bit of shopping. Just take it to account that at the border they can stop you and check what you have bought. If you have more then the allowed amount you have to declare it.
There are other cool resorts nearby: Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp. In the future I would like to go El Tarter. So stay tuned for the next resort!
Tips and Information:
I would recommend Hotel Catalunya if you are going with a small group or with your partner. They have also breakfast and dinner incorporated in the price. For bigger groups you can choose from the several apartments next to the ski slopes.
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Arrive:
By car: It takes 2-3 hours by car. It depends if you are willing to pay the tolls or not. When you are in Andorra you always have to follow the sign to France. You can take the tunnel to Pas de la Casa for 6 euros. I think it is worth it, because in the snowy weather you can save 30 minutes of driving in the curvy roads.
By bus: There are buses from Barcelona Nord station to Andorra. It takes 3-4 hours, depending on the departure time. It costs 28,25 euros. From Andorra you can take local buses to go to Pas de la Casa.