three Andorran ski resorts: Ordino Arcalis, Pal Arinsal and Grandvaliraunveiled this Monday the upcoming winter season, investing 17.5 million euros and aiming to sell 2.5 million days of skiing.

The three resorts, which are grouped under the umbrella of Grandvalira Resorts for the first time, have set a December 2 opening date, but Grandvalira Resorts General Manager Juan Ramón Moreno announced this Monday that if snow conditions allow it, maybe Ordino Arcalís It will go ahead and open next weekend.

Of the 17.5 million investments, 12.5 are in Grandvalira; 2.5 million – Pal Arinsalu and 2.5 million – Ordino Arcalis, and, as Moreno emphasized at a press conference This is one of the “most important” investments in recent years.which, according to him, corresponds to the great task facing the seasons.

The main investments are aimed at sustainable developmentwith 2.5 million euros invested in its own renewable energy production and energy saving measures, as the ski slopes also committed to reducing consumption by 15%, in line with the government requirement.

Grandvalira has built a hydroelectric plant in Pesson that will cover between 3% and 5% of the consumption of the Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig and Encamp sectors, and photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roofs of 8 buildings in parallel. stations in the Grau Roig, Encamp and Soldeu sectors.

Ordino Arcalis has been self-sufficient since 2016 thanks to mini-hydro, while Pal Arinsal produces 37% of its own energy thanks to a solar power plant, and Grandvalira covers 6% of the energy consumed.

Secondly, Savings measures have been taken, such as optimizing the operation of lifts.replacement of LED lamps, temperature control inside buildings, improvement of innovative systems and renewal of snow groomers, among other things.

ski passes

The big novelty of this winter are three seasonal ski passes: the Andorra ski pass, which gives unlimited access to the three seasons; the Nord Pass, which allows unlimited skiing in Pal-Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis, and the Mountain Pass, for skiing and snowshoeing on 27 pistes created by Grandvalira Resorts.

On the other hand, starting this season, Grandvalira Resorts are part of the prestigious Ikon Pass program, born in the United States and giving access to more than 50 destinations around the world.

Similarly, a dynamic pricing strategy is maintained so that online sales are promoted when customers can get ski passes at a guaranteed minimum price and early purchase is rewarded with discounts of up to 15%.

Tracks

One of the major innovations is in Pas de la Casa Grau Roig with the new Pont Grau slope that crosses the road and connects Port d’Envalira with the Bordes area, thus expanding the ski area by 14 hectares.

There will also be a new ski lift in Abeltes to replace the ski lift, children’s runs have been improved, the Coma III XCross run, a new ski mountaineering run in the Canillo sector and another for snowshoes in Soldeu.

Also, The Grau Roig car park has 30 new charging points for electric vehicles. and Pal Arinsal has received FIS permission to compete on the Korpalanka slope in Pale.

In terms of activity, snow tubing stands out in Pas de la Casa, which at 350 meters becomes the longest tubing track in Europe and will allow speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour.

Finally, from March 30 to April 2, Grandvalira will host the inaugural Snowrow Festival, a music and sports festival co-organized with Elrow, featuring some twenty international DJs.