Pas de la Casa - Andorra Grand Valira Ski Area

Resort Information

Village Height: 2050m (6,765ft)
Highest Lift: 2640m (8,710ft)
Approx Transfer Time: Toulouse 3 hours, Gerona 3 hours.

Resort Description

Pas de la Casa, situated by the French border, is the highest resort in the Pyrenees. It has an excellent snow record, with a good range of skiing above the tree line. It is a purpose built resort, with a very modern lift system providing a great skiing area, accessible immediately from the village. The resort also offers an excellent range of shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and a lively nightlife. Pas de la Casa's first lift was officially opened on 1st December 1956. The Coll Blanc draglift was powered by a truck motor and became the first step towards what is now a great ski area. Mr Francesc Viladomat's enterprising idea gave this small corner of Andorra a boost that would convert it into a town of 3000 permanent residents and with a hotel capacity triple that of its population. Pas de la Casa belongs to the parish of Encamp and has become a great source of revenue due to its commercial activities and tourism. Grand Valira's Pas de la Casa sector holds a high number of alpine ski races thanks to the Francesc Viladomat International Competition Stadium, where racers of all ages and nationalities compete every season. As far as runs are concerned, they are predominantly red and black, ideal for intermediate to experts, except for the lower part of the sector, where you will find a huge beginner's learning area.

Apres Ski

Après-ski is a great incentive to visit Pas de la Casa and it is also possible to find any item at a good price in the town's shops. Even so, a number of cultural and sports facilities make Pas de la Casa a tourist destination with a wide range of leisure options Pas de la Casa is another world, very different from the rest of Andorra, with a predominantly young cosmopolitan population where the majority of residents are of French origin. In general, you will come across a pleasant environment, with good quality restaurants, services and leisure options, all at a reasonable price. Nightlife is another lure, especially for the French and British tourists who, every winter, invade bars and clubs such as KSB, Billboard, Crack, Kyu or Underground, which have become the temples for local party nights. Pas de la Casa really has a big party scene.

Skiing

Beginners

At the top of the lifts, you will arrive at the Pla d'Espiolets (2250m). Here you will find a Ski and Snowboard School centre, where you can take lessons; an information point, for any queries regarding the resort; a Snow Garden and nursery, to leave the kids in safe hands.

Intermediates

The four-person chairlift from the centre of the village goes direct to the first summit, where the entire ski area opens up to long cruising pistes above the tree line, and a good range of off-piste skiing on both sides of the mountain.

Advanced

The Grand Valira ski area has some interesting mogul fields, tree lined runs and excellent off-piste skiing at the Grau Roig area. There is a challenging FIS slalom course at Costa Rodona, and the Grand Valira ski pass also offers the opportunity to ski over to Soldeu.

Snowboarding

Grand Valira is a fantastic area for snowboarding with well linked lifts and an abundance of terrain for all levels. The area offers some great powder, especially around Grau Roig. For keen freestylers there are plenty of natural hits and a snowboard park.