Andorra
Ordino Arcalís, created in 1983 by the residents of the parish of Ordino, has gradually established itself as a benchmark for mountain sports in Andorra. Nestled in the Ordino valley, facing north, the resort benefits from exceptional snow conditions throughout the winter, making it one of the earliest opening and latest closing resorts in the Pyrenees.
With 442 hectares of skiable area and 30.5 km of pistes, Ordino Arcalís caters for all levels. From the longest green run in the Pyrenees to challenging slopes for experts, the resort offers options for enjoying the snow with family or friends. Its facilities include the Doppelmayr D-Line gondola lift (inaugurated in 2019), 101 artificial snow cannons, 6 restaurants, car parks, ski rental, ski and snowboard school, and the prestigious Ordino Arcalís Freeride School.
Ordino Arcalís is a unique natural environment
Beyond the snow, Ordino Arcalís seduces with its extraordinary landscape. Located in the most picturesque valley in Andorra, the resort combines the beauty of the Pyrenees with the tradition and personality of the Ordino valley. This parish is located in the east of Andorra, at an altitude of 1,300 metres, and covers an area of 90 km². There are eight villages in total: Ansalonga, Arans, El Serrat, La Cortinada, Llorts, Segudet, Sornàs and the capital itself, Ordino.
The rural surroundings are characterised by the unmistakable Andorran architecture. Stone houses and slate roofs blend in with the natural, rugged beauty of the area. Without a doubt, this parish is the perfect destination to forget your worries and connect with your simpler, more rustic side.
A sustainable destination in the heart of Andorra
Ordino has been recognised as a UNESCO-certified territory, an endorsement that positions and consolidates the Ordino brand as a quality tourist destination. This recognition highlights the parish’s commitment to sustainability and local know-how, ensuring a quality territorial legacy for future generations. The Ordino Arcalís ski resort has become a benchmark in terms of sustainability. Its main actions include
- Reduction of the CO2 footprint: The resort is committed to measuring and reducing its CO2 footprint, setting ambitious targets for compensation through the production of solar and hydraulic energy.
- Promotion of renewable energies: Work is being done to replace diesel for heating with alternative energies such as geothermal energy.
- Sustainable transport: The use of sustainable transport is being promoted in the parish, with the installation of new charging points for electric vehicles and the implementation of bus lines to facilitate access to the resort during the winter.
- Waste reduction: Work is being carried out to reduce single-use packaging and workers are being trained to act as informers for the Biosphere Reserve.
Furthermore, since 2016, Ordino Arcalís has been an energy self-sufficient resort thanks to the mini-hydraulic power station that provides energy to the facilities throughout the year, even injecting the surplus into the grid. The resort also implements various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, such as energy saving, digitalisation of supports and promotion of sustainable mobility.
The Sorteny Valley Natural Park is the heart of the Ordino Biosphere Reserve. With a territory of 1,080 hectares, the valley is home to a rich geological, plant, fauna, atmospheric and landscape heritage. And in the heart of the Sorteny Valley is the Borda de Sorteny refuge, open all year round. Its facilities allow visitors to disconnect in the midst of the immensity of nature. The refuge, located at an altitude of 1,965 metres, is an ideal starting point for exploring the park’s trails and discovering the beauty of Ordino.
Ordino, with its UNESCO certification and commitment to sustainability, is an ideal destination for those seeking a quality tourist experience in a unique natural environment. The Ordino Arcalís ski resort, the Sorteny Valley Natural Park and the Borda de Sorteny refuge offer a wide range of activities to enjoy nature in all its seasons.
Ordino Arcalís is a paradise for off-piste lovers
Ordino Arcalís is one of the world’s epicentres of off-piste skiing, with 21 areas and 130 itineraries divided into three levels of difficulty. Among the events organised, the Freeride World Tour, a world reference in this modality, stands out.
Ordino Arcalís is part of Grandvalira Resorts
Since 2018, Ordino Arcalís has been part of Grandvalira Resorts, together with Pal Arinsal. With a total of 308 skiable km, Grandvalira Resorts is positioned as one of the most important ski destinations in Europe. The Andorra Pass gives access to all three resorts, while the Nord Pass gives access to Ordino Arcalís and Pal Arinsal. The integration into Grandvalira Resorts has brought with it a new corporate image for Ordino Arcalís, with an intense and elegant blue that reflects its alpine character and its union with the group.
Strengths of Ordino Arcalís
- Snow quality and quantity: Thanks to its northern orientation and high altitude, Ordino Arcalís guarantees excellent snow quality throughout the season. These natural conditions, combined with ideal temperatures, ensure optimal snow cover for skiers.
Varied and challenging terrain: The resort offers a wide range of slopes to suit all levels, from beginners to experts. It is also renowned for its freeride itineraries, attracting skiers looking for off-piste challenges. Among the most outstanding are the Canal de la Font Blanca area, which is accessible from the Creussans chairlift, or the Portella d’Arcalís sector: Located in the upper part of the resort, it offers challenging descents with quality snow, thanks to its orientation and altitude. If you are just starting out, perhaps you should start with the Coma del Forat area, which has wide slopes and is always a favorite for those looking for more fluid and less technical lines. - Impressive natural environment: Located in the parish of Ordino, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the resort is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery, offering panoramic views that enrich the visitor’s experience. We consider that it would not be fair to highlight the Tristaina Solar Viewpoint, from where you can admire the Tristaina Lakes, a set of glacial lakes that are one of the main natural attractions of the region. In addition, the surroundings are home to iconic peaks such as the Pic de Cataperdís (2,805 m) and the Pic de Tristaina (2,878 m), which offer spectacular views of this area of the Pyrenees. The combination of rugged landscapes, wooded areas and diverse fauna, including species such as chamois and bearded vultures, makes Ordino Arcalís a unique place, where nature lovers can enjoy both sporting activities and the simple pleasure of contemplating its unparalleled beauty.
- Modern infrastructure: Ordino Arcalís has high quality facilities, including chairlifts, ski lifts and gondolas that facilitate access to the different ski areas, improving comfort and efficiency for users, including the Tristaina gondola lift, which is one of the most modern and representative lifts of the resort and connects the base of Ordino Arcalís with the Coma del Forat. It is ideal for both skiers and visitors who wish to access freeride areas or enjoy the surroundings. It also provides access to the famous Mirador Solar de Tristaina. On the other hand, they have the Creussans chairlift which is located in the Creussans sector, allows access to advanced slopes and ideal areas for freeride. It is also worth recommending the Abarsetar chairlift to connect different areas of the resort. It is especially useful for beginners and families, as it provides access to gentler slopes and areas ideal for learning, or the La Basera chairlift, located at the base of the resort, which is the starting point for many skiers. It connects directly to several key areas of Ordino Arcalís and is one of the most frequented lifts due to its strategic location.
- Complementary activities: Beyond skiing, the resort offers various activities such as ski mountaineering, heli-skiing and speedride, allowing visitors to enjoy unique experiences in the snow. To access the skimo circuits, it is necessary to purchase the Mountain Pass, which provides access to the Tristaina cable car and coverage in case of accident. It is only allowed during the resort’s opening hours, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you are one of those who prefer heli-skiing in Ordino you are in luck. You can take a helicopter to emblematic peaks such as Font Blanca, Font de les Fonts, de l’Hortell, Besalí and Cap de les Aspres de Banyell, accompanied by a professional guide. Finally, the speedride combines skiing with paragliding, offering a thrilling experience that fuses the speed of descent with the sensation of flight. Although these activities require an advanced level of skill in these extreme sports.
- Gastronomy in Ordino Arcalís: The gastronomic offer in Ordino Arcalís ranges from traditional Andorran cuisine to more innovative proposals, complementing the sporting experience with culinary pleasures. We can recommend Cal Tonet which is on the Carretera de La Cortinada in Ordino. It is a family restaurant just two minutes from Ordino and is an excellent choice for those visiting the Ordino-Arcalís ski resort or enjoying activities such as the Ruta del Ferro or the Mirador Solar de Tristaina. They have a nice terrace ideal for the summer months or sunny winter days. They have good grilled meats, such as entrecote, snails a la llauna, mountain rice dishes and they have homemade desserts although we would not highlight any in particular. They offer a daily menu for 18,95 € (without drink). In high season, we recommend booking in advance.
- Commitment to sustainability: The resort has implemented measures to minimize its environmental impact, aligning itself with the conservation of the surrounding natural environment and promoting sustainable practices among its visitors.
Tristaina Solar Viewpoint, located on the peak of Peyreguils at an altitude of 2,701 meters. This suspended metal sphere offers impressive views of the Tristaina lakes and the Ordino valley. It can be reached by hiking or by cable car and chairlift during the winter and summer seasons.
