Ski Resort La Massana in Andorra

The dwarf state of Andorra still remains somewhat of a “terra incognita” for Russians; however, those who are seriously interested in the wonderful sport of skiing are gradually starting to discover it for themselves. Ski tours to Andorra are now offered by some companies, and it should be acknowledged that every year, the number of travelers purchasing them is steadily growing. The number of our compatriots heading to the Andorran resort of La Massana is also increasing.

It is located very close to the capital, the city of Andorra la Vella, just six kilometers away, and is known as a very pleasant, picturesque, and cozy place to relax. La Massana is situated at an altitude of about one and a half thousand meters above sea level, while the ski slopes start at an altitude of two and a half thousand meters. Thus, the vertical drop while skiing is one thousand meters.

In the city itself, there are two quite large sports centers with a standard set of services. You can swim in the pools, visit saunas and massage rooms, as well as cosmetic centers. Additionally, these sports centers have courts for squash and other active games. To ski, you need to take a bus to the Pal-Arinsal area.

Life in La Massana flows calmly and steadily. There are practically no nightclubs or noisy discos (rather, there is only one, and it doesn’t operate every day), so this resort is perfect for a leisurely family vacation. However, if you are traveling to Andorra also to visit good entertainment venues, you can easily take a bus from La Massana to the city of Ordino, where there are plenty of them.

As for the skiing opportunities at this resort, they are quite diverse. The slopes are concentrated in two skiing regions: Pal and Arinsal, with a total length of about seventy kilometers. The Pal region is more suitable for beginners, as it mainly features easy slopes. In Arinsal, there are several “black” runs designed for very experienced athletes.

If you are planning to go to La Massana, it is not necessary to bring your sports equipment, but do not forget to take your camera. This way, you can not only preserve your memories in the form of photographs but also earn money by uploading your photos to stock photo banks for further sale.

The fact is that in the skiing regions, a large number of rental points open with the start of the season, offering a huge assortment of various equipment. However, it is much more profitable to rent it directly at the hotel, as it is cheaper that way. Furthermore, it is better to rent it for the entire time you plan to use it — this way, you can expect a significant discount.

Unlike other Andorran resorts, La Massana does not have ski schools; however, they are located in the Pal and Arinsal ski regions, directly on the mountain slopes. There is also a kind of “ski kindergarten” there, which accepts kids of all ages, even one-year-olds. Classes in the schools are conducted individually and in groups, and are charged on an hourly basis. Naturally, individual lessons are more expensive than group lessons. But during such lessons, you can take quality photographs, as long as you remember to bring your camera.

As for entertainment in La Massana, you can highlight the lovely small and cozy restaurants that can delight all gourmets with excellent European cuisine. Of course, those who prefer, for example, a vacation in Austria or France would be hard to surprise with various delicacies or culinary delights, but local chefs still manage to do so, even though La Massana does not have establishments offering their clients any exotic food.