Ski and Andorra, two intertwined concepts

Andorra is the largest of the small European states and is located in the heart of the Pyrenees. It is nature par excellence, an area of unique beauty for the practice of open air sports activities, both in summer and winter. Andorra  is also a country with a long history and rich legacy which coexists in perfect harmony with comfort, modernity and the latest technologies.

Today, ski and Andorra are two concepts inseparably intertwined. The Principality is one of the leading ski destinations in the Pyrenees and, at the same time, skiing is one of the pillars of the Andorran economy.

In 1965, Alpine skiing was declared a sport of national interest, just eight years after the opening of the first ski resort in the Principality – Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig – and one year before Soldeu-El Tarter started operating.

Andorra staged the first Alpine Ski European Cup from 6th to 9th March 1974 at Pas de la Casa (Costa Rodona, giant slalom, and central steep slope of Grau Roig, slalom) and one year later, in 1975, again hosted the race in the same competition slope. Some years later, in the 1990-91 season, Andorra organised two women’s slaloms (El Mirador, Grau Roig, giant slalom) and since 2003 the country has formed part of the European Cup circuit. Since then, a total de 17 races of this continental cup have been held. 
                 
Throughout the history of Andorran skiing, there have been great milestones. To date, Andorra has 28 Olympic skiers and has been represented in 10 Winter Olympic Games since Innsbruck (1976). 

Soldeu, a historic sector of Grandvalira

In 1964, the first ski lift was installed in Soldeu, which marked the beginning of the private capital project of the Baró, Salvans and Torrellardona families.

The mountain began to be developed in the area of Espiolets with the installation of a chairlift, a ski lift and a bar-restaurant. During the 1981-82 season, the Riba Escorxada sector was opened, with access from El Tarter.

In 1993 the Canillo Council became the main stakeholder of ENSISA (Soldeu-El Tarter operating company) and the bank Crèdit Andorrà became the second stakeholder. Three years later, the first 8-seater cable car in the Pyrenees was installed, linking the village of Soldeu with El Pla d’Espiolets. In the 2000-01 winter season, the new sector of Canillo was added to Soldeu-El Tarter and three years later, the resort was linked to the neighbouring Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig.

As a result of the union of these two resorts, the most important in the Pyrenees, Grandvalira was born: the combination of experience, size, services and facilities. Grandvalira, with 193 km of slopes and 1,926 hectares, is not only the largest in the Pyrenees and the Peninsula but is in the ranking of the 20 first ski resorts in the continent.