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Snowshoeing in Andorra
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Snowshoeing is a fun, safe and enjoyable activity for participants of all ages! We have routes suitable for all experience levels and, for beginners in the activity, no training or lessons are required, so you can get stuck in right from the start! Our routes are very flexible and allow you to choose your own difficulty level and duration, according to your own personal ability and preference.
You can also choose to go on a route together with a guide, or on your own. There are plenty of guides available in the area.
At the Ordino Arcalís ski resort, there are three different snowshoeing routes for different difficulty levels, all located in the area of La Coma. The Grandvalira resort has four public trails and routes you can follow, starting at El Forn (Grandvalira-Canillo) and the adventure centre (Grandvalira-Grau Roig). Choose your snowshoeing route duration: one, two, three or even five hours. Our Pal Arinsal resort also has snowshoeing routes, six of them in fact, spread out across the two sectors of the resort, Pal and Arinsal. And finally, you’ll find snowshoeing routes at our Naturlandia park in La Rabassa forest, too. Need to hire out snowshoeing equipment? No problem – this can easily be done at any of our resorts – just enquire at the centres themselves or approach a member of staff.
Discover snowshoeing
Before setting off on your snowshoeing adventure, we recommend wearing undergarments in wicking fabrics and comfortable, practical clothes in general so you can move easily and tolerate the elements, particularly if the weather changes abruptly. Category 3 or 4 sunglasses are a must-have, as well as sun-blocking cream. You’ll also want to come with waterproof shoes and gloves. And remember, always check the weather forecast for your destination resort before planning your visit, so you can come prepared! Andorra’s snow cover means there are many activities to enjoy! If you’d rather not snowshoe, that’s fine too – our ski resorts offer multi-activity passes which include a wide range of activities, including igloo building, snowmobiling, mushing, snow tubing, zip wiring, ice karting and many others, both in and out of the snow!
Snowshoe hikes are a fantastic way to discover and enjoy the forests and snowy mountains. This activity has a very flexible schedule, and can be taken up both during the day and at night, thanks to our programme of night-time outings offered by our ski resorts. Snowshoe hikes will allow you to explore diverse terrains, such as snow covered roads and the icy lakes of Grandvalira.
If you’d rather go on a guided hike, the routes with the possibility of having a guide accompany you and your group are in Tarter (Grandvalira-Tarter) and at the Adventure Activities Centre (Grandvalira-Grau Roig). In the sectors of Canillo there is a circuit of snowshoes without a guide, so the most adventurous can discover the most unpublished routes and itineraries on snowshoes freely.
Why try snowshoeing
When you go on a snowshoeing hike accompanied by an expert guide, the first thing you’ll learn is how to wear your snowshoes safely and correctly. You will then take a look at the route together and you and your group will be given all the necessary instructions in order to start your snowshoeing adventure! The two-hour hike will take you across Vall de Bosc Moretó, a wide area full of black pine forests. Don’t worry, there’ll be a chance to stop and rest along the way, and to take in the spectacular natural beauty all around you. The guide will also be on hand to show you different characteristics of the landscape, area, its flora and fauna as well as answering all your questions.
This activity is available during the winter season and must be previously booked and confirmed. Do note that changes and cancellations may occur due to sudden adverse weather conditions. The price of the activity includes a professional guide, material rental (snowshoes and sticks) and car park.
Also, don’t forget that snowshoeing is a great way to keep fit! It’s an impressive workout that can burn around 500 calories an hour. This is about twice as many as walking, and about the same as using an elliptical fitness machine or swimming laps. Since snowshoes weight about two pounds each, walking in the fresh snow, or even a hilly terrain, can easily get your heart pumping. And if you add walking sticks or dedicated hiking poles, you can also involve your upper body in the exercise, and burn around 40% more calories. It’s important to note that snowshoeing is a low impact workout and it’s easy to on the knees and joints.
Where to try snowshoeing in Andorra
Grandvalira is one place where you can try snowshoeing in Andorra. It’s the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees and southern Europe. It has 138 runs covering 210 km (130 mi) and offers a wide range of hotels at the foot of the slopes. When you visit, you’ll notice that the resort is divided into seven different sectors: Canillo, Soldeu, Pas de la Casa, Encamp, El Tarter, Peretol and Grau Roig. You can travel easily between Encamp and Pas de la Casa, and the access points are also suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
Among the many services on offer at Grandvalira ski resort are equipment hire stores, a reservations centre, restaurants, snack bars, terraces and barbecues, a Wi-Fi zone, snowparks, kids’ trails, baby clubs, crèches and a variety of fun and safe snow-based activities for guests who prefer not to ski! Do note that the season starts at the beginning of December and ends around mid-April, depending on the weather.
Another great snowshoeing spot in Andorra is the Vallnord-Pal Arinsal ski resort, one of the most comprehensive snow and mountain destinations in the Pyrenees with 63 km (40 mi) of ski slopes. The resort is fully equipped and ready to welcome skiers and snowboarders, families, couples and groups of friends. Note that the Vallnord-Pal Arinsal ski resort is divided into different skiing resorts, Pal and Arinsal, spread out over the La Massana valley. Both sectors are connected by cable car, although each sector has different access points.
Passes and tickets
You can book a snowshoe excursion with a guide and all the equipment comes included in the price. Snowshoes can be hired, without excursion, directly at our activity centre. This activity is suitable for guests aged 6 and above. A single person can book a snowshoe excursion, but do bear in mind that a 50% supplement is applicable in this case.
Do note that the price of the activity does not include insurance, so this will need to be taken out separately. Our insurance plans cover exclusively the activities performed within the ski area.
