Carnival arrives at the Grandvalira Resorts stations starting this Saturday, February 10, with children's proposals, costume contests, music on the terraces, and top-level après-ski parties. In addition, the domains are expecting new snowfall in the coming days, which will allow for the expansion of skiable kilometers at the resorts. If the forecasts are correct, from the early hours of Thursday to Friday, there will be the first small precipitations, and both Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will see some more episodes of snow. Currently, Grandvalira has 118 km, Pal Arinsal has 40 km, and Ordino Arcalís has 75%, offering the best conditions in the Pyrenees.
Animations in the snow gardens, music, and costume contests
Throughout the Carnival week, the snow gardens of Soldeu, El Tarter, and Canillo will be filled with animations for the little ones with costumes and more carnival-themed activities. Young skiers will enjoy the station's characters, the Bababoom bear and the Yokai Ninja, who will ski down Soldeu and El Tarter dressed up in the mornings, and the legendary characters of Mon(t) Magic in Canillo, who will also be skiing on the slopes. In the afternoons, there will be shows, children's animations, and various games in the Soldeu, El Tarter, and Canillo sectors.
Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, and Encamp, on the other hand, encourage all boys and girls to dress up, both in the snow gardens and in collective classes and at the Màgic Ski club, bringing color and fun to the slopes during this period.
The Ordino Arcalís station joins the fun with activities for the youngest members of the Màgic Ski club, for whom it has prepared chocolate egg showers and a costume parade, among other original activities. Adults can also participate in the photography contests organized by the station. On the three festive days of Carnival, February 10, 11, and 12, those who take photos dressed up in the station's most emblematic places and tag @ordinoarcalis on Instagram can win a Màgic Ski registration for the 2024-2025 season, lunch at La Coma, a guided tour with crampons at Mirador de Tristaina, or the First Track experience with breakfast included. On Valentine's Day, you can also participate in another contest where, in this case, the most romantic photo taken also in some emblematic place of the station will be rewarded. The winning couple can improve their skiing thanks to a 4-hour Top Class session that includes the First Track activity early and behind closed doors, and a meal for two at the Portelles restaurant. It is necessary to check the rules and conditions of both contests on the station's profiles.
On Saturday 10 and Wednesday 14, Ordino Arcalís skiers can experience magic in Planells with the Mag Jorge show from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and live DJ at La Coma from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. If the weather allows it, the Kokoi Terrace at Hortell will also have animation with a resident DJ on Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Soldeu welcomes the Women's Alpine Ski World Cup with many recreational activities The Avet slope in Soldeu will be the epicentre of alpine skiing on Saturday, February 10, and Sunday, February 11, with the celebration of the Women's Alpine Ski World Cup, where the best female skiers in the world will compete in the slalom and giant slalom events.
Grandvalira Resort has prepared a wide range of complementary activities for the occasion, appealing to both ski enthusiasts and more casual visitors: the Ski Festival. This recreational aspect of the event will take place in the World Cup Village area, which this year will occupy the entire Soldeu platform over the weekend. In addition to having a gastronomic zone, free ski tests will be organized for sports enthusiasts, as well as leisure activities such as games, workshops, crafts, archery, axe throwing, and even a children's escape room. The space will also feature great ambiance with dance shows, DJ sessions, animation performances, autograph signings by the skiers, and a giant screen to follow the Avet competition.
The après-ski of the World Cup at L’Abarset
The adrenaline from the slopes will continue with the ongoing excitement of L'Abarset, the ultimate après-ski destination in the Pyrenees. After the public bib draw on Friday, February 9, a very special moment in the competition, DJs Lunnas and Patricia Mantovani will provide the music at the Tarter venue. Saturday will be the turn of Franky Rizardo and Edu Art, while Sunday will see the closing of the World Cup with the volunteer party, featuring Las Castizos, who will take over the cabin to get the crowd moving along with residents Laeet and The Vittosky's.
The week will continue with great parties at L'Abarset featuring resident DJs on Monday and Tuesday, Urban Sounds by Blade on Wednesday, and San Miguel (never) chill Thursdays, with A Flame Music, the trio formed by DJs Laeet, Patricia Mantovani, and Blade, as the highlight. Friday, February 16, will see a new edition of the always successful Brunch Electronik arriving in the snow with Miss Monique and Jan Blomqvist, while Saturday will close out the carnival week with Barcelona's Paco Osuna presenting his brand Now Here accompanied by Rafa Barrios and Manu González on the decks.
Snowrow pre-party at CBbC Costa Rodona
CBbC Costa Rodona in Pas de la Casa will host the Snowrow pre-party this Saturday, February 10, with an après-ski party featuring the rhythms of Bastian Bux, George Privatti, N!do, and Laeet. The music will accompany the night skiing on La Solana slope, which will remain open until 8 p.m. It's worth noting that the Snowrow festival will celebrate its second edition from April 4 to 7 and is already revving up.
Dinners at altitude under the stars
For a quieter yet equally unforgettable experience, you can opt for a dinner under the stars in the Andorran mountains. In Grandvalira, this option is offered at bulthaup Grau Roig, Brasería Piolet, and Vodka Bar in the Grau Roig sector, and Wine & Meat Bar by Jean Leon in Soldeu. At 3 Estanys restaurant, dinner will be available on February 13, while at Pulka, it will be possible every Saturday in February. L'Abarset restaurant, on the other hand, offers its evening menu every night except Saturdays. It is important to note that these options are always by prior reservation.
Pla de la Cot in Pal Arinsal plans to open every Saturday in February, as well as on Friday, February 9, and March 13, to offer its high mountain menu at night, while Ordino Arcalís also opens the doors of its most iconic restaurant, La Coma, for magical dinners in the middle of the mountain. Both restaurants are accessible by snow groomer, skis, or snowshoes, an activity that will complete the adventure, for which advance booking is necessary.
For those who want to further enhance the experience at Grandvalira Resorts, the unique accommodations of Epic Andorra such as Domo Lodge or Cabana Piolet are the perfect opportunity to experience mountain warmth surrounded by luxury. A more traditional yet equally cosy option is the Refugio de Sorteny, which also offers dinners.