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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 1780m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[4]
Intermediates:		[4]
Advanced:		[2]
Snowboarding:		[3]

La Massana is the largest and the lowest of the four village resort bases of Andorra’s Vallnord ski area, which today represents one half (the slightly smaller but more affordable half) of the skiing in Andorra. The village has only actually been a ski resort for a few years, at least in terms of being directly lift-linked in to the ski area, since the gondola opened that whisks its residents straight up to the Pal sector of VallNord (once a ski area in its own right), which is lift linked to the Arinsal sector. There is however no official ski run back down to the village.

The fact that La Massana hasn’t been a ski resort for as long as its better known neighbours like Arinsal and Soldeu shows, in that the nightlife here is much quieter. That may not be a bad thing if you want a less frenetic Andorran ski holiday. The village is also one of the closest to capital La Vella, ten minutes away, with its vast range of duty free shops.

Beginners

A good choice for beginners if based near the gondola, La Massana has a good beginners area right at the top of the lift. The area has a selection of easy to use magic carpet lifts to make getting up the slopes less of a challenge than skiing down. The snow playground for children is nearby so it’s easy for first time families to learn close to each other – which is handy for drop-off and pick-up of the kids too. The ski school also has a high reputation as one of the world’s friendliest and most professional with many British, Aussie and Kiwi teachers.

Intermediates

Although not one of Europe’s bigger ski areas, the Pal – Arinsal sector above La Massana is made up largely of fast blue and red cruisers served by modern high-speed chairlifts and gondolas, so this is a fun and user-friendly destination for less demanding intermediates who are happy to get a lot of kilometres clocked up beneath their skis. If you need more you can purchase a Ski andorra pass, valid for five days, which can be used in Andorra’s other ski region, GrandValira, the largest in the Pyrenees and less than half-an-hour away.

Advanced

Not known as a major destination for advanced skiers, Vallnord has six black runs in their total repertoire of more than 70 pistes. The Arcalis ski area (included on your Vallnord pass but a bus ride away) is pushed as the main destination for experts, with 50% of the terrain graded advanced and a 310 hectare area designated a Freeride Zone. There are two further freeride areas above La Massana itself around the La Capa black and the Comellada black at Pal, but they are much smaller.

Snowboarding

The main La Borda park is right at the top of the gondola up from La Massana. This covers 40,000 square metres and includes a half pipe, rails, kickers and jumps as well as a chill out area with comfortable seating and music. The freeride areas and bump runs in the Pal and Arinsal sectors above the resort attract both pros and wannabes, whilst everyone else just enjoys the wide open powder bowls.

Other Activities and Facilities

There are plenty of activities available in the area but these are promoted for Vallnord as a whole so may be up to 30 minutes away from La Massana. On snow fun includes snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dog sledding and the opportunity to ride in a ‘Xinilla’ amphibious vehicle. You can also hire a ski bike (like normal bikes but with skis instead of wheels).

An excursion to the Andorran capital and duty free shopping mecca La Vella, just ten minutes away, is worthwhile. This is also home to the famous Caldea water spa which is a day trip in its own right. From La Massana itself you can take a 10 minute helicopter sight-seeing flight .

Après Ski and Dining Out

La Massana is one of the quietest ski resorts to stay in in Andorra, but there are still a few dozen bars and restaurants to choose from. If you want a more lively scene head up the hill to Arinsal, or for more variety and sophistication, head down to the caputal La Vella.. You can expect a wide range of dining styles including Andorran, Catalan, Spanish, French and Italian cuisine as well as British favourites and some South American influence from Argentina and Mexico. Most establishments offer good meals at good prices, but as Andorra has moved more up-market so more gourmet establishments have arrived. The bars open long in to the small hours and in many cases don’t really get going until around midnight.

Families

All of Andorra’s ski areas are great for children. The ski schools and the nurseries they operate are amongst the best in the world with many of the teachers and carers recruited in the UK, Australia and New Zealand and first class facilities to boot. The ski school accepts children from age four to eight to learn in the special snow gardens and they also operate a non-ski Baby club for children aged one (providing the child can walk) to four. Both of these facilities were totally redesigned for the 2007-8 season. Older children have regular group classes. In addition après ski fun for families is laid on weekly Wednesdays. Vallnord strongly recommends that children wear helmets and even offers a one euro discount on the ticket price when they do.

There is sledging and a children's snowmobile circuit at Pal above the resort. Otherwise off slope facilities are limited but family friendly, and affordable dining is a bonus.

Piste Map for La massana

Accommodation in La massana

• Hotel Font - 3 star,
• Magic La Massana - 4 star,
• Magic Ski Telecabina - 4 star,

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