Spotlight on Andorra – the hidden gem of school ski

Nestled between France and Spain, Andorra is well-known for its tax-free status, spas and skiing, with nine ski resorts situated right in the heart of the Pyrenees mountain range. However, its pistes are often dismissed as a destination for beginners – an outdated perspective that leads many of our schools to the more famous resorts of the French, Italian, or Austrian Alps.

In recent years, millions of euros have been invested in the Andorra ski region to create high-altitude experiences for all abilities. Now, in Grandvalira and Pal Arinsal, you’ll find award-winning ski schools that provide friendly guidance to new students. Meanwhile, Andorra’s 300km of slopes test and thrill even the most skilled skiers – and all at an affordable price point, too!

We love hosting school ski trips in Andorra, and we think you’ll agree it’s a fantastic destination to take your students. Read on to discover what we believe makes Andorra the hidden gem of school ski.

An excellent ski destination for first-timers

Andorra features plenty of practise areas for beginners across both the principality’s ski regions. At Pal Arinsal, magic carpet lifts carry first-time students to the nursery slopes, where the resort’s skilled instructors start them off with the basics of skiing: stopping, turning, and speed control. Groups will then have the run of Arinsal or Pal’s nursery slopes to build their confidence, with the former also offering 47 kilometres of easy blues. With each day of skiing allowing at least four hours of tuition, your students will be whizzing down the region’s pistes in no time.

… and also for students with a bit more ski experience

Advanced skiers will have a blast at Grandvalira, with its impressive mileage and ski-lift network allowing for no-fuss travel from resort to resort. Here, your group will be able to sample a little of everything, from the tree-lined runs in lower Soldeu, to the open face of Pas de la Casa.

At Pal Arinsal, more able skiers will have plenty of fun starting their weeks on the region’s network of greens and blues, where they can begin by learning new skills and reminding themselves of the basics. Once students have rebuilt their confidence, Pal’s higher altitude reds offer plenty them of challenges, linking across to the sunny slopes of Arinsal.

A fuss-free journey for your convenience

Taking between 14 and 15 hours from London to the peaks, Andorra is one of our most convenient ski destinations for UK schools. Groups will ride the Eurotunnel to Calais before the drive directly through France, with no need to worry about transfers or other transport in-resort (read about our other benefits of coach travel here). This is particularly useful in Grandvalira and Pal Arinsal, as the closest resort accommodations to the pistes are still a 10-minute walk from the nearest gondola, and in-resort transport is often required.

High snow surety at one of Europe’s longest ski seasons

Andorra’s location high in the Pyrenees guarantees the region’s snow surety, with superb coverage from December right through to mid-April, offering plenty of flexibility for school visits. The resort’s microclimate means you’ll benefit from blue skies and lots of sun (don’t forget your SPF!), making for an idyllic time on the slopes with excellent views.

With 65 peaks above 2,000 metres, it’s also the second-highest mountain state of Europe, and has a great record in reliability courtesy of the region’s recent snow-making improvements.

World-class après-ski activities situated nearby

Groups visiting Andorra can enjoy the close proximity of the principality’s capital Andorra la Vella on their school ski trips, with the old town reachable in under 20 minutes from both Grandvalira or Pal Arinsal. Here, our schools tend to make the most of Andorra’s duty-free shopping, skate on indoor ice rinks, or relax at Caldea thermal spa – the largest of its kind across the continent.

A school ski trip available at a steal

Starting at just £775 (Pal Arinsal) or £805 (Grandvalira) per student*, Andorra is an exceptionally well-priced school ski trip that makes skiing financially accessible to a broader group of students. With these prices inclusive of air and coach travel, tourist taxes, supervisory places, accommodation, dining, equipment hire, storage, and 5-6 days of ski tuition, you can be assured that our trips to Andorra are some of the most competitively priced around.

(*prices based on coach trips leaving 11/03/2023 and are subject to change)