Andorra 

The statistics and the map above give you a good idea of how vast Grand Valira is—how six distinct areas are connected in a stunning circus of slopes and lifts. With 120 miles of prepared slopes, it’s a complex that should take several days to appreciate fully.

Unfortunately, Bob Enzel, editor of this section, and I didn’t have that amount of time to invest in fun in Andorra during our visit in March, 2007. A blizzard at Baqueira marooned us in the Spanish Pyrénées and delayed our add-on to this tiny principality. (See that story in the Spain section.)

Nevertheless, in our one day at Grand Valira we saw a lot of it, thanks to Christin Leonard, a pretty 23-year-old public relations representative. She calls herself Andorran, even though her grandfather was Irish.

Guide Christin Leonard introduced us to a popular kids area

Christin set a fast pace around the various sectors, pausing occasionally to point our special features that make the ski area so popular with Spanish and French skiers—and hordes from the United Kingdom.

Most slopes were open and groomed, despite the fact that only a few feet of natural snow had fallen during the winter. An extensive snowmaking system had kept the resort in business.

High winds had hardened some runs, but eastern U.S. skiers like Bob and me were not held back. We did have a feeling of powder, however, in areas where windblown snow had piled up.

It was a first time in Andorra for me and the first skiing opportunity for Bob, who had visited the principality 40 years ago. He felt much had changed. There still were some charming old buildings in the ski resorts, but they were overwhelmed by high-rise structures. We could have delved into local history, but like most tourists, we were caught up in tax-free shopping. Picture big department stores and your favorite Walmart or Sam’s Club and you can see where we spent our evenings in the capital city of Andorra la Vella.

“Pity” could have been an appropriate nudge from Marta Rotes, longtime manager of Ski Andorra. She believes that culture and tradition deserve prominent billing, too. And quality lodging, such as we had in centrally located Art Hotel.

At dinner Marta shared details of how her marketing organization promotes the Grand Valira and Vallnord ski stations. They focus on fairs and ski shows, travel agents and tour operators, and various media. Because Andorra is sandwiched between Spain and France, time and euros are expended in addressing these important markets. England, too. The Brits account for 20 percent of skier visits.

Marta undertstood that we didn’t have time to ski the other major domain of Vallnord, because we had to get back to Barcelona for our Iberia flight back home. But she did arrange for a brief visit. See our account on the Vallnord page.

                                                                     *       *       *