About Andorra
WINTER IN ANDORRASet high in the Pyrenees mountains, Andorra is blessed with an excellent range of skiing for all abilities. Offering a choice of 4 main alpine ski stations (a combination of 5 original resorts) and one nordic (cross country) station.
Over 270Kms of skiing is available in total, ranging from very easy nursery and green slopes which are ideal for beginners, to off-piste 'steeps' in Arcalís and Soldeu (conditions permitting).
Many visitors come to Andorra to learn to ski, where they are looked after by the very high standard ski schools. Staffed by over 610 instructors (a high percentage being English), the schools have a reputation that precedes them - being voted number 2 and 3 of all English-speaking ski schools in Europe for the past 5 years. Lessons are offered on both a group and individual basis and are available for skiers of all levels, from total beginner to high level advanced.
One thing for sure, is that if you come to ski in Andorra, you will not be disappointed by the ski areas, or the après ski, but least of all by the incredible weather - giving you the chance to enjoy the snow at the same time as enjoying the blue skies and sunshine that thousands of people come back for year after year!
Ski Season - Depending of course on the amount of snow, the ski resorts usually open for the first weekend in December, coinciding with the feast of Purissima (December 8th), and normally close at the end of Easter, although some resorts may stay open until early May. Skiing in Andorra Information
SUMMER IN ANDORRAThe choice of mountain walks is endless and comprehensive guides and maps are available free from local tourist offices. Most mountain paths are well signposted and there are many ragstone mountain refuges (refugis de muntanya ) which you are entitled to use free of charge to sleep overnight. Most of these refuges have basic open-fire cooking facilities and running water and the rule is simply to leave the place clean and tidy. Above Arinsal village (approx 3,5hrs walk up) there is one much larger refuge that offers a simple restaurant service for two months in high summer. Visiting the high mountain lakes throughout the country is very popular and there is also a hotly-disputed national cross country walking race held every year and open to all.
Rivers, brooks and lakes - Andorra possesses three main rivers and many tributaries. The North Valira and the East Valira come together at Escaldes to form the Valira. Along these river courses, in the form of a Y, are the most important centres of the country. Lakes in Andorra are many and very varied, but they share a Quaternary origin. They are small and basically rounded in shape and most are found in the East Valira basin, while some are in the North Valira basin. The largest lake is the Juclar, which covers 29 ha. Other well-known lakes are those of Tristaina, the Pessons, the Illa, Gargantillar, the Estanyó and Cabana Sorda, among many others.
Richness in fauna - One of the best-known species of the Pyrenees, the chamois, is the animal most representative of Andorra. It lives in the highest mountain areas, together with the ptarmigan, moles, martens and many birds of prey. Lower down in the woods, we find squirrels, hares, wild boar, woodpeckers and capercaillie. Finally, the lowest areas provide the habitat for foxes, hoopoes, partridges, robins and dippers, among many others. And this without mentioning the river fauna of Andorra, where the trout is one of the leading figures. If you are a lover of shooting and fishing then you are well catered for.Varied vegetation - Andorran vegetation is abundant and varied: in the sunnier parts and lower areas, the Mediterranean influence is dominant. At higher altitudes we find vegetation typical of mountain areas: pine woods of Scots pine, oaks, birches, rhododendrons, hazelnuts, firs, etc. There are also pastures, fields of corn and other crops. The flower that most symbolises Andorra is found in this zone, the poet's narcissus or pheasant’s eye. In the subalpine zone are large woods of black pine and fir, and highest of all in the alpine zone are alpine meadows, thickets and screes.
Climate - The climate is high mountain type with Mediterranean influences, winter temperatures are low and in summer they are mild, with large variations taking place according to altitude and orientation. Andorra enjoys a high percentage of sunny days and the climate is dry. The average annual minimum is -2ºC and the average maximum is 24ºC. Autumn is the season with the highest rainfall; while in winter there are abundant snowfalls. Current Weather
APARTMENT IN ANDORRA FOR HOLIDAY RENTALS - First floor apartment in Chalet style apartment block - Sleeps 2-3 ARRIVE/DEPART ANY DAY (no minimum period) - 1 Twin Bedroom - 1 Bathroom - Large Lounge/Diner with separate kitchen - Large balcony with fabulous open valley and mountain views - Commanding position, not overlooked, surrounded by countryside - Satellite Television with some English free-to-view channels - Within 5 minute drive to resort and ski lifts (possible to walk there) - Full communal Central Heating with radiators to all rooms.Full details, photographs and Availability
How to get there
By Air then Public TransportJET2 fly from LEEDS BRADFORD, BELFAST or MANCHESTER to BARCELONA (nearby Girona or Reus) for as little as £31 return.
Visit their website to book on-line or telephone 0870 737 8282
SPAIN - Barcelona Airport
Departure from Barcelona airport between terminals A and B
Novatel:
SHUTTLE Direct, regular service Barcelona airport/Andorra. Booking compulsory
Tel : +(376) 803 789/ +(34) 93 436 6170 E.mail : novatel@andorrabybus.com
Barcelona – Andorra 10.30am - 1pm - 5pm - 7.45pm
Andorra – Barcelona 5am - 8am - 12.30pm -3.15pm
Eurolines:
Airport/Barcelona Sants Station/Andorra
Tel: +(376) 805 151/ +(34) 902.40.50.40 - E-mail: info@autocars-nadal.ad
Barcelona - Andorra 10.45am - 1.15pm* - 3.15pm - 6pm* - 7.45pm
Andorra – Barcelona 6am - 10.30am - 1.15pm* - 3.30pm - 6pm*
* running on Friday, Sunday and bank holiday afternoons/evenings
FRANCE - Toulouse airport
Novatel:
SHUTTLE Regular service Toulouse airport/Andorra
Tel : +(376) 803 789/ +(33) (0) 561 167 090 E.mail : novatel@andorrabybus.com
Toulouse airport - Andorra: 10am - 6.30pm
Andorra - Toulouse airport: 5.30am - 2pm
Departures from Toulouse Blagnac airport - Hall II - Exit level.
By Road
SPAIN
Madrid - Zaragoza - Lleida - Ponts - Andorra (613 km - regular coach service 15 times a week)
Barcelona - Andorra (regular taxi and coach services 19 times a day):
- Via Cervera (208 km)
- Via Solsona (196 km)
- Via Calaf (202 km)
Lleida - Andorra (150 km - regular coach service 5 times a day)
Puigcerdà - Andorra (50 km)
Tarragona - Andorra via Tarrega (210 km)
Girona - Olot - Puigcerda - Andorra (219 km)
Madrid - Lleida (AVE)
FRANCE:
Paris - Toulouse - Foix - Ax-les-Thermes - Andorra (882 km)
Marseille - Narbonne - Perpignan - Bourg-Madame - Andorra (757 km)
Biarritz - Pau - St. Gaudens - Foix - Ax-les-Thermes - Andorra (451 km)
Toulouse - Andorra (196 km) - (taxi service 2 times a week)
Foix - Andorra (55 km)
Perpignan - Andorra (128 km)
BELGIUM:
Brussels - Andorra (1,260) km
By Train
SPAIN:
Madrid - Lleida, connection by coach to La Seu d'Urgell and service to Andorra
Barcelona - Puigcerda, connection by coach to La Seu d'Urgell and service to Andorra
FRANCE:
Paris - Toulouse - Ax-les-Thermes or Hospitalet and connection by coach to Andorra
Perpignan - La Tour de Carol and connection by coach to Andorra
