The Grau Roig adventure activity centre now offers experiences such as snowmobiling, snowshoe walks and mushing, rounded off with special dinners
On 23 December, the Canillo Mon(t) Magic Park is to reopen and activities such as mushing (dog-pulled sled rides) and guided snowshoe and 'skimo' outings will be available with prior booking at the El Tarter and Soldeu sector
Also starting up on 23 December are, the Grandvalira Mountain Guides (GMG) and Epic Andorra experiences
For lovers of mountain skiing, the Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís resorts enable a number of circuits: Circ d’Envalira, Pessons and Peretol, Soldeu Collart, Tarter Collart, Canal de l’Avetar, Camí de l’Obac,at Grandvalira, and La Coma, Les Portelles and Bosc de l’Hortell, at Ordino Arcalís
The Grandvalira Resorts facilities opens with full safety measures, having been awarded two of the highest quality and most prestigious certificates: Global Safe Site and Biological Risk Control
Andorra la Vella, 18 December 2020. Grandvalira opens to the public this Christmas with a wide range of snow and leisure activities. All anti-COVID protocols are up and running for the opening, as are all the facilities and activities, in an environment that guarantees full safety measures with regard to COVID-19 prevention for both workers and customers. In this regard, Grandvalira has passed two certification audits: firstly, the Global Safe Site audit by Bureau Veritas and secondly, the Biological Risk Control audit by OCA Global, being the first ski resort to be granted these certificates.
GRAU ROIG ACTIVITY CENTRE
The Grau activity centre is now running at its usual opening times, from 10 am to 5 pm. It offers snowmobiling and snowshoe excursions, along with other experiences including a snowmobile taxi to the Piolet and Pessons restaurants. Rides on dog-drawn sleds (mushing) and igloo building are also available. At Ordino Arcalís, snowmobile and snowshoe activities can be booked at the Planells school.
CANILLO MON(T) MAGIC FAMILY PARK
The main attractions at the Canillo family park will be up and running once again from 23 December, while cable car access is free for residents with the pedestrian pass until 7 January. Visitors can enjoy the famous Màgic Gliss, the alpine slide over 500 m long, where you can reach speeds of up to 40 km/h. In addition, since the summer, the park has had a virtual reality experience with 3D glasses, adding an extra thrill to the ride: highly recommended for both parents and kids.
The park's main attraction is the zip line, the second longest in the Pyrenees, stretching for 550 m across the Forn lake from Planells.
And additionally, there is the snakegliss, the Big Airbag, snow tubing, the Fornatura experience, sled trips and the guided snowshoe and 'skimo' outings, (prior booking required). In Canillo Sector the snowshoe circuits are open.
As for the ski lifts, the TCB Canillo cable car and TSF Junior chair lift will be open from 10 am to 4.30 pm.
Traditional mountain fare is on offer at the El Roc de les Bruixes family restaurant.
GRANDVALIRA ADVENTURE CENTER
Also from 23 December, the Grandvalira Adventure Centre in the El Tarter sector will provide a variety of mountain and adventure activities for all ages and levels, including mushing (dog-drawn sleds) and guided snowshoe and skimo excursions (prior booking required).
The TCB Tarter cable car opens from 9 to 10 am for ski clubs and from 10 am to 4.30 pm for the general public. The TSD6 Tosa Espiolets chair lift will be open from 9 am to 1 pm for ski clubs.
As for restaurant, the Cafeteria Obac, opens its doors for breakfast early in the morning, La Trattoria, with the finest pizza and pasta, and the Riba Excorxada Cafeteria FunFood . Cable car access is free for residents with the pedestrian pass until 7 January.
GMG
The Grandvalira Mountain Guides (GMG) programme, in the Grau Roig sector, will be offering individual and group mountain skiing trips from 23 to 31 December (except for 25 December). The Ordino Arcalís resort will also be running this service. From Saturday 23 December, shops in the Grau Roig and Pas de la Casa sectors and at the Ordino Arcalís ticket offices will also be open.
SOLDEU SECTOR ACTIVITIES
From 23 December, the Soldeu sector, now well established as the ideal spot for families, will also provide a range of snow and leisure activities, such as sled rides and dog-drawn sleds (mushing ), snakegliss, snow tubing and guided snowshoe and 'skimo' excursions (prior booking required). Cable car access is free for residents with the pedestrian pass until 7 January.
With regard to restaurants, the season will be starting at Wine & Meat Bar by Jean Leon, with its consolidated foor and wine proposal. As well as gourmet dinners, on 30 December guests can enjoy a very special moonlit evening.
Dinner will also be served on that day at Nomad Food Ratrac, which is open for group bookings from 23 December.
One of the great novelties of the season is the Bubble Experience Clicquot: Bubbles fully transparent located in the heart of the mountains to enjoy exclusive food.The Soldeu TCB cable car will be open from 10 am to 4.30 pm.
CUISINE IN THE GRAU ROIG SECTOR
Some of the most iconic restaurants in Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís will be opening their doors from 23 December, (25 December not included):
The Refugi del Llac de Pessons, with 30 years' experience offers fine mountain cuisine, in one of the most idyllic spots of the Principality.
The Braseria Piolet will be open at weekends; its special location at the foot of Montmalús in Grau Roig in the heart of a mountain pine forest, which is the ideal spot to enjoy its wide variety of meats, char-grilled with holm oak charcoal in front of the guests. You can also stop off and enjoy the café service at the Cafeteria Cubil. The Cafeteria Planells at the Ordino Arcalís resort will also be open.
EPIC ANDORRA
It begins with the winter Epic Andorra experience, where it is combined with open-air activities and stays in unique accommodation and gastronomic tasting sessions of local produce.
The activity includes:
A stay at Cabanya Piolet, a unique experience at an altitude of 2,150 metres in the Grau Roig sector between the Pessons cirque and Colells, at the foot of the Montmalús mountain.
Domo Lodge, Domo Coma III, in the heart of Grandvalira, in the Coma III zone of the Grau Roig sector, at an altitude of 2,350 m, surrounded by unspoilt nature.
Borda Buno, an exclusive borda (mountain hut) at the entrance to Sorteny Nature Park. Borda Xicos, in Canillo, in the Vall d'Incles. and the Refugi del Sorteny, at an altitude of 1,965 metres, in the Vall de Sorteny Nature Park.
'SKIMO' ROUTES
For lovers of mountain skiing, the Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís resorts will open some of their circuits from 23 December, including the following routes: Circ d’Envalira, Pessons and Peretol, Soldeu Collart, Tarter Collart, Canal de l’Avetar and Camí de l’Obac in Grandvalira, and La Coma, Les Portelles and Bosc de l’Hortell in Ordino Arcalís. Mountain skiing will only be allowed on the aforementioned routes and slopes authorised by the resorts.
Guests can ask for information at the ticket office on the state of the circuits. Please remember dogs are not allowed on the ski slopes or the routes signposted off-piste. Randonee skis may not be taken on the cable cars until the resort is open for alpine skiing.
