Grandvalira Resorts reaches forecast figures during the bank holiday weekend with more than 104,000 skiers
The length of the Immaculate Conception bank holiday weekend allowed visitors to arrive in stages
The forecast new snowfall and low temperatures bode well for resort conditions during the Christmas period
Andorra la Vella, 12 December 2022.- Grandvalira resorts closed out the Immaculate Conception bank holiday weekend by reaching the forecast figures indicated for the start of the season. The light snowfall, accompanied by low temperatures, allowed for the slopes to be perfected. In addition, thanks to the good operation of the artificial snow system and the great work of the ground crews, the three resorts were able to continue to increase their ski areas throughout the bank holiday weekend, ending up with more than 100 kilometres in Grandvalira, 60% of the slopes open in Pal Arinsal, and 80% open in Ordino Arcalís. As a result, more than 104,000 skiers were able to enjoy the quality snow at the three Grandvalira Resorts from 3 to 11 December. They made the most of these days with the resorts’ activities and services, which were also very popular in this period.
The Immaculate Conception bank holiday weekend included two weekends this year, which meant that skiers arrived at the different areas in stages, and there were no large crowds. In this sense, the number of visitors was greater during the second half of the bank holiday weekend, with Saturday 10 being the peak, when there were 16,720 skiers across all the resorts. The length of the holiday period also allowed customers to be able to make the most of the new single pass from Grandvalira Resorts, the Andorra Pass, which gives you the option to ski at all three of the country’s resorts.
Good forecast for Christmas
Grandvalira Resorts is optimistic about the next few weeks, in which it is expected that there will be more snowfall, and that the low temperatures will continue, which will allow for the production of artificial snow. This bodes well for the incoming Christmas period, with good conditions in the resorts, where lots of activities with musical and family offerings will be taking place once again, in addition to the planned opening of one of Grandvalira’s new star activities, the Pas de la Casa Snowtubbing by Dots: the longest tubbing track in Europe.
Abarset successfully opens the season
The Italian DJ Marco Faraone opened the Abarset musical programme last Saturday, 3 December, signalling the start of an ambitious season in which major international electronic music DJs will perform. During the week, the sisters from Madrid, LunnasDJ, made the audience feel the beat of their electronic sound, which is so successful at night in Ibiza. The pivotal moment came last Friday, 9 December, when the Belgian girls from 2ManyDJs, together with the Brunch-In The Snow festival, played alternative electrorock music at an evening which saw Abarset absolutely packed. The event on Saturday, 10 December, was also a great success, with the opening of the new Belvedere Shot Bar space, featuring DJ Quartero and Hector Couto.
The popular El Tarter entertainment venue re-opened with a daily schedule that enables you to dance to the sound of different rhythms, from House to Indie, or music from the 80s, with an updated restaurant menu. In addition to Abarset, Grandvalira was also the setting for other major entertainment events, one of which was at the IQOS Terrace, in Soldeu, on Tuesday, 5 December, where DJ Nano, from Madrid, gave an amazing performance.
In addition, all the resorts’ restaurants have been very popular at the start of the season. Among them, the three new options in Arinsal for this season stand out: Terroir bistro café, Niu (formerly Obélix) and Piccolo. In Ordino Arcalís, the La Coma Restaurant, which has been completely renovated, and in Grandvalira, restaurants such as Refugi del Llac dels Pessons, the Piolet Brasserie, the Wine & Meat Bar by Jean Leon, or In The Snow Veuve Clicquot have started the season in style.
Starting the activities off well
The multiple activities that Grandvalira Resorts have to offer, which go far beyond alpine skiing, were made available to customers from the very first day. The ski mountaineering and snowshoeing circuits were also able to open, with guided excursion services included. In Ordino Arcalís, they were able to run snowmobile outings, through Roc Roi, and in Grandvalira, where you were also able to enjoy the mushing activity, both in Grau Roig and El Tarter. In Pal Arinsal, the Buggie excursions, the Big Airbag, tubbing, the sled track and helicopter rides were on offer.