Grandvalira kick-starts the season this Saturday 1st of December

Grandvalira is kick-starting the ski season tomorrow Saturday 1^st December with the partial opening of Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig.  The Snow Domain plans to open two of its six sectors this weekend, at a special price of €30

Those who have a Grandvalira season ski pass with Ordino Arcalís supplement can access the Ordino ski resort from Thursday 29 November onwards

Grandvalira is kick-starting the 2018-2019 season on Saturday 1 December with the partial opening of the Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig sectors, which have connecting slopes. The Soldeu, El Tarter and Encamp sectors are expected to open on 5 December, weather conditions permitting.

The snow production network has been in operation almost constantly, while the ground teams are working hard against the clock to ensure the provision of snow conditions that meet the quality and safety standards for skiing and snowboarding.

For this partial opening, Grandvalira has revised its pricing and the day pass will cost €30 for adults and juniors and €20 for children. (Ski passes can be purchased online (not subject to commission) and at the ticket offices)

This weekend, the Snow Domain will also provide a free bus service between Funicamp and Grau Roig for skiers who present a day or season pass. There will be a bus every 30 minutes, with the first service leaving at 8:30 a.m. The last bus will leave Grau Roig at 5:30 p.m. (more info at www.grandvalira.com).

Ordino Arcalís with the Grandvalira Pass

Thanks to the recent addition of Ordino Arcalís to the Snow Domain, season pass holders with the Ordino supplement can access the Ordino resort from its planned opening date of Thursday 29 November onwards.

OPENING CONDITIONS

Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig sectors (connecting slopes)

Pas de la Casa:

Slopes: Directa 1, Abelletes, Jardí

Facilities: Chair lift (TSD4) at Pas de la Casa, chair lift (TSD6) at Font Negre, gondola lift (TC) at Pioners, magic carpet (Tapís) at Abelletes I

Ski and Snowboard School open

Dining: Abelletes, Font Negre, KSB Coll Blanc and CBbC Costa Rodona

Grau Roig:

Slopes: Pista Llarga (upper section), Pala Nova, Bosc, Debutants (beginners’ slope), Clot, Portella, Tobogan

Facilities: Chair lift (TSD) at Pic Blanc, chair lift (TSD) at Coma Blanca, T-bar lift (TK) at Coma 3, T-bar lift (TK) at Pessons I, T-bar lift (TK) at Clot

Ski and Snowboard School open

Dining: Piolet, Pulka, Tres Estanys, Cubil, Refugi de Pessons

L’Abarset restaurant in the El Tarter sector is also scheduled to open this Saturday 1 December. Regarding the après-ski calendar, the party kicks off on Thursday 6 December with DJ Simply J, followed by sessions with DJs Viktor Ollé and Nuke on 7 and 8 December respectively.

For 2018-2019, the ski season is expected to run until 22 April, giving a total of 143 snow days (15 more than the previous season), weather conditions permitting. Grandvalira is starting the 2018-2019 season with an investment of €35.4 million, which will focus on four different areas: innovation, quality, customer services, and internationalisation. Additionally, to coincide with its 15^th anniversary the Andorran resort will be hosting events with a global profile, such as the Finals of the World Cup.

Grandvalira will be providing more information on its website, www.grandvalira.com, and on social networks.

More info on GRANDVALIRA

You can read a post we did on why you should add Grandvalira to your bucket list. 

And an older post on Vallnord and how it caters families and experts alike.

The-Ski-Guru TRAVEL can organise your bespoke ski trip to the Americas, Alps or Japan, including for those going from Britain to Europe, booking your Eurotunnel trip, and for all trips: lodging, lift tickets, rentals, ski school, and all you need for an excellent vacation. Go to https://www.the-ski-guru.com/travel and upload your information – this page will be updated soon with more travel ideas.

You can start thinking about your trip, by reading the articles on the Planning your Ski Trip tab.  Or how to pack for your family ski trip.  If taking your furry friend abroad to the continent, read about the new Pet Travel Scheme update from DEFRA. Or our last news on equipment as seen at the London Ski Show. Also, the new range of skis of Black Crows, one of our favourite brands. Lots of snow makes you wonder how the resorts deal with the avalanche danger. Here you can read the interview to Coco Torres, former Head of Operations of Las Leñas, in Argentina, as how they dealt with avalanches at the resort. 

Or perhaps you may choose to read the Ski Resort News, Ski Passes News, and the Must-Read Guides to Lech,  Zermatt,  Courmayeur, Val di Fiemme and Crans-Montana. Coming soon will be the guide to St Anton. Or  watch an amazing heli flight over the Mont Blanc Massif. Also see tips on how not to be scammed when booking a ski chalet.

You can also read what’s new at Les Trois Vallées and the last article on what is new at the Tirol ski areas,  in 3 Zinnen Dolomites ,  in Adelboden, Lenk and Kandertal, in Gstaad, in Chamonix,  in Georgia’s Gudauri Resort and in the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. And how the US Ski Team has chosen Alpe Cimbra to train for the following four ski seasons as their European home. And Saalbach is getting ready for the Ski World Cup. Here is the link to our post on the My Voucher Codes ranking of best European Ski Resorts. 

Or check how Cairngorm Mountain might not run its funicular this coming season and how that can affect the region. And the terrible storms and gails that provoked havoc to Trentino Alto-Adige and Belluno provinces in Northern Italy. 

Or check out how now with the EPIC Pass you can ski in Europe, specifically in Les Trois Vallées and the resorts of Skirama Dolomiti in Trentino’s Italy. Or see our review of L’Héliopic Hotel Sweet & Spa if thinking in staying in Chamonix this winter.

Featured Image: Sector Grau Roig. Grandvalira kick-starts the season this Saturday 1st of December with the partial opening of the Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig sectors.Photo: Grandvalira.