The three Andorran ski resortsOrdino Arcalís, Pal Arinsal and Grandvalirahave presented this Monday the winter season they are facing having made an investment of €17.5 million and with the challenge of reaching 2.5 million ski days sold.
The three resorts, which for the first year are grouped under the umbrella of Grandvalira Resorts, have December 2 as the opening date, but the general manager of Grandvalira Resorts, Juan Ramon Morenohas announced this Monday that if the snow conditions allow it, perhaps Ordino Arcalís will move forward and open next weekend.
Of the 17.5 million investment, 12.5 correspond to Grandvalira; 2.5 million, to Pal Arinsal, and 2.5 million, to Ordino Arcalís, and as Moreno highlighted in a press conference, it is one of the “most important” investments in recent years, which is in line with the great challenge facing the seasons, in his words.
The main investments are earmarked for the sustainabilitywith 2.5 million euros invested in self-production of renewable energy and energy saving measures, since the ski slopes have also committed to reducing consumption by 15%, as requested by the Government.
Grandvalira has built a hydroelectric plant in Pessons that will cover between 3% and 5% of the consumption of the Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig and Encamp sectors, and, in parallel, photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roofs of 8 buildings of the station of the sectors of Grau Roig, Encamp and Soldeu.
Ordino Arcalís has been self-sufficient since 2016 thanks to a mini hydroelectric plant, while Pal Arinsal self-produces 37% of the energy thanks to the solar park, and Grandvalira covers 6% of the energy it consumes.
On the other hand, saving measures have been adopted such as optimizing the operation of the ski lifts, changing LED bulbs, regulating the temperature inside buildings, improvements in innovation systems and renovation of snow groomers, among others. .
ski passes
The big novelty this winter are the three seasonal ski passes on offer: the Andorra Pass, which gives unlimited access to the three stations; the Nord Pass, which allows unlimited skiing in Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís, and the Mountain Pass, for ski touring and snowshoeing on the 27 circuits set up at Grandvalira Resorts.
On the other hand, from this season Grandvalira Resorts becomes part of the prestigious Ikon Passborn in the United States and which gives access to more than 50 destinations around the world.
Likewise, the dynamic pricing strategy is maintained, so that online sales are promoted where customers can obtain ski passes at a guaranteed minimum price and early purchase is rewarded with discounts of up to 15%.
Tracks
One of the main innovations is found in Grau Roig House Passwith the new Pont-Grau slope that crosses the road and will connect Port d’Envalira with the Bordes area, thus expanding the ski area by 14 hectares.
there will also be a new ski lift in Abelleteswhich replaces a telerope, the children’s circuits have been improved, the Coma III XCross circuit, there is a new ski mountaineering circuit in the Canillo sector and another for snowshoes in Soldeu.
Furthermore, in the Grau Roig car park, 30 new electric vehicle charging points have been installed and Pal Arinsal has obtained competition approval from the International Ski Federation (FIS) for the Corpalanca slope, in Pal.
In terms of activities, Snowtubbing in Pas de la Casa stands out, which at 350 meters becomes the longest tubbing track in Europe and will allow you to reach a speed of up to 60 kilometers per hour.
Finally, from March 30 to April 2, Grandvalira will host the first edition of the Snowrowa music and sports festival organized jointly with ‘Elrow’, in which some twenty international DJs will perform.
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