Grandvalira Resorts (Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal, Ordino Arcalís) has unveiled its record investments for the coming winter. The total budget amounts to €39 million, an increase of 86% compared to the previous season. It is mainly divided between Grandvalira (€32.1 million), Pal Arinsal (£2.9 million) and Ordino Arcalís (£4 million). This historic effort, one of the highest in recent years, primarily finances snow guarantee, digitalisation, new infrastructure, customer experience, as well as events and energy sustainability.
According to David Ledesma, Marketing Director of Grandvalira Resorts, nearly €11 million is being spent on optimising snow production in order to maintain ‘Andorra as a guarantee of snow’. Other priorities include the rollout of the new Mobile Pass (a digital ski pass on mobile phones), several lift and slope projects, culinary and cultural events, and green projects (solar power plants, electric charging stations, etc.). These investments are being made in the context of major sporting events: the return of the Alpine Ski World Cup to Grandvalira, the first FIS Freeride World Championships in Ordino Arcalís, the ISMF World Cup in Pal Arinsal, and music festivals on the slopes.
Record investment for ‘snow guarantee’ in Grandvalira
For the 2025-2026 season, snow guarantee is the main focus of investment. Around €11 million will be dedicated to snow production, which is a record for Andorran resorts. The stated objective is to maintain a snow cover rate of at least 66% of the ski area, ensuring optimal conditions throughout the season. Grandvalira Resorts has therefore expanded its network of snow cannons: 53 new units have been installed and 118 old ones have been replaced with latest-generation models that consume 90% less energy.
In addition, two new hillside reservoirs (one with a capacity of 100,000 m³ at Lake Vaquer in Grau Roig, and another with a capacity of 36,000 m³ in Ordino Arcalís) will be operational, increasing the snowmaking capacity. The water pipes have been extended by an additional 3 km in Soldeu–El Tarter, increasing the flow rate by 400 m³/h (to reach 4,000 m³/h). The beginner areas have also been improved: the Arinsal (Pal) area now has a modernised snow management system that is more efficient and economical.
Snow production in Grandvalira (Andorra)
In addition, new technologies are being implemented for snow management: snow groomers are equipped with Léica and Snowsat systems, which reduce artificial snow production by around 20% while optimising water and fuel use. These investments are in addition to the £27.8 million already invested in snow production over the last five years. As David Ledesma points out: ‘We have invested £27.8 million in improvements to snowmaking over the last five years. The aim is to continue at this pace in the medium term, as these are essential investments to modernise the resorts and guarantee the best snow conditions for customers, so that Andorra continues to be perceived as a guarantee of snow.’
Grandvalira prioritises digitalisation and innovation in 2025-2026
Grandvalira Resorts is also focusing on the digitalisation of services to enhance the customer experience. The flagship innovation of the season is the launch of the Mobile Pass, a fully digital ski pass on your smartphone. One- to three-day passes (for adults) will be available on the Grandvalira Resorts app this winter, with a gradual extension to season passes. To make the Mobile Pass possible, all lift entrances have been equipped with new Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) gates – 244 towers in total across the three ski areas.
These turnstiles automatically detect the mobile pass and allow for quick and secure passage. ‘Just as you buy a plane ticket and have your boarding pass on your phone, with the Mobile Pass it will be the same for skiing,’ explains David Ledesma. He points out that BLE technology increases smartphone battery consumption by ‘less than 1%’.
New ski pass available via mobile phone
In addition, a new anti-fraud system (Smart Guard, based on artificial intelligence) has been installed at the gates to visually monitor fraudulent use of daily and seasonal passes. The mobile app itself has been enhanced with new features: a Wi-Fi button will allow users to automatically connect their devices to the free network at all resorts with a single tap. An integrated ‘digital card’ will also store booking vouchers for ski schools, restaurants and other services. Building on last year’s success, the app will also continue to offer eSIM cards for easy mobile access in Andorra at the best price.
Finally, Grandvalira is introducing a unique cancellation guarantee: all bookings made on the website (lift passes, rentals, activities, accommodation, etc.) are covered by this option. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, customers can recover 100% of the costs incurred. Although not directly related to technology, this measure is part of the improved digital service offering (online booking, ski pass management, etc.).
New infrastructure for this winter season in Grandvalira
The £39 million includes numerous facility modernisation projects. These include the construction of a multifunctional building in Pas de la Casa (Grandvalira sector), which is currently in its final phase. Covering 3,200 m² over two floors, it will house ticket offices, a ski school and equipment hire facilities, with its official opening scheduled for 2026-2027. In terms of lifts, Grandvalira Resorts has extended the TK Eslàlom ski lift (El Tarter) to 556 metres in length with a vertical drop of 229 metres. This ski lift, inaugurated last season, provides access to the Estadi Eslàlom Creand, an FIS-approved black run for high-performance training. The latter has also been equipped with a 58-metre traffic tunnel under the slope to facilitate movement in the competition area.
Grandvalira
In the El Tarter sector, the Pla de Ribaescorjada beginners’ slope has been enlarged with the installation of a new 70-metre-long ski lift (TK Refugi) capable of transporting 720 skiers per hour. In Soldeu, the old TK Bosc has been dismantled to make way for a new secure freeride area, responding to the growing demand for off-piste space. A unique fun course, the Turbo Snow Explorers, will also open in El Tarter: this ‘inflatable’ circuit for beginners includes tunnels, animations and obstacles to entertain younger children. In the same spirit, Pal Arinsal is launching two Fun Cross circuits for small jumps and banked turns, designed to spice up the descent for children.
Car parking facilities have also been improved: a new 30-space caravan park is opening in La Caubella (Grandvalira-Pal Arinsal), with all the necessary amenities for visitors travelling by van. In Ordino Arcalís, the 8.5 km long green run called Megaverda has been completely redesigned into a Kids Forest, an immersive experience for families and children. A 100-metre-long magic carpet (capacity 1,000 people/hour) has also been installed in the Coma area (Ordino) to help beginners get back up the slope, thus improving accessibility to this part of the resort.
Skiing in Ordino Arcalis
These numerous projects are in addition to other more moderate improvements to the network: for example, the resort has extended the Pas de la Casa ski lift and extended the Eslàlom ski lift in Soldeu, as announced in the presentation. All of this demonstrates a desire to modernise the infrastructure (lifts, buildings, slopes) for all audiences – from experienced skiers to novice families – in response to the needs identified in recent seasons.
Customer experience: gastronomy, accommodation and non-skiing entertainment
Enriching the customer experience beyond skiing is another important aspect of the investments. Grandvalira Resorts is continuing its shift towards high-end gastronomy: the resort emphasises its desire to be ‘a benchmark in the Pyrenees not only for its sporting facilities, but also for its culinary offerings.’ To this end, Michelin-starred chef Nandu Jubany (1 Michelin star) is strengthening his collaboration with the resort.
For 2025-26, he will take over the Tub bulthaup restaurant (Grau Roig sector) and launch ‘La Vacanal’ (gourmet burgers) at the Coma III restaurant (Grau Roig). Andorran flavours will also be available on the slopes: local brand La Suculenta will bring its homemade ‘smash burgers’ to a new youth-oriented space with a panoramic terrace.
Skiing in Ordino Arcalis
Activities extending the day beyond skiing have been planned: the Soldeu–El Tarter sectors will host themed evenings (Jean Leon Classic Nights, with dinner and live music) and original events such as Rando’n’izza (night-time hiking followed by Italian pizza) and the Neu-Flix open-air cinema (screenings at an altitude of over 2,000 metres with barbecue and popcorn).
Après-ski is always popular: the L’Abarset club (Grandvalira) will welcome international DJs (Adam Beyer, Nina Kraviz, 2ManyDJs, etc.) throughout the season, while the snow sports and music festivals Snowrow (3rd edition, 12-15 March 2026) and Hibernation Festival (7th edition, 20-22 March 2026) will once again take over the slopes of Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig. After two successful editions (8,000 visitors per day, sold out), Snowrow returns to ‘consolidate Grandvalira as a place where mountains, cuisine, culture and entertainment come together’.
L’Abarset
In terms of accommodation, Grandvalira Resorts is promoting unusual mountain lodgings: the three exclusive cabins located in the resort (Domo, Niu del Pla de les Pedres and Cabana Santa Anna) will be managed this year by the prestigious Serras Collection hotel chain. This initiative aims to offer unusual stays ‘in the heart of the resort’ with premium comfort.
Finally, new non-skiing activities are enriching the overall offering: in the Grau Roig sector, Roc Roi Adventure is opening, a new self-sufficient activity centre (equipped with solar panels) offering walks, play structures and food trucks for gourmet breaks. The Grandvalira Mountain Guides offer ice climbing and dry-tooling excursions. For families, skiing – and discovering the mountains – remains the focus: a family snowshoe trail called ‘Rastres de l’hivern’ is planned for 6-12 year olds, and the Pal Arinsal area is opening four circuits for snowshoeing and snow trekking (Exploradors du Refugi de Pal). Pal Arinsal is also reaffirming its status as a mecca for ‘Ski & Bike’: its Bike Park (5 trails of varying levels, 16 kilometres in total) will reopen as soon as snow and weather conditions allow.
Sporting and cultural events
The 2025-2026 season will feature a number of major international competitions, confirming Andorra’s role as a leading winter sports destination. Grandvalira Resorts will host the return of the Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup (downhill and super-G) on the Águila slope (El Tarter sector) on 28 February and 1 March 2026. Pal Arinsal will host the ISMF Mountain Ski World Cup Comapedrosa Andorra from 24 to 26 January 2026, with two events (Vertical Race and Sprint) included in the 2026 Olympic programme.
FIS event in Andorra
Even more historic, Ordino Arcalís will be the venue for the first FIS Freeride World Championships, from 1 to 6 February 2026. This will be the first time that freeriding has organised World Championships under the auspices of the International Ski Federation, marking a milestone in the development of this discipline.
Also worth noting are the traditional Trofeo Borrufa (FIS Children, 26–29 January 2026 in Ordino) dedicated to young people aged 11–16, the Winter Jam FWT (28–29 March 2026) freestyle session, and the Mamba Race by Joan Verdú (4 April 2026). Finally, next summer Pal Arinsal will host the 11th edition of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series (8–12 July 2026), proof of the versatility of the Ski&Mountain Bike area.
Freeride World Tour event in Ordino Arcalis
In terms of festivals and music, the season includes several key events: in addition to Snowrow and Hibernation, the L’Abarset club will offer an international programme throughout the winter. Collaborations with Brunch Electronik, Bresh, and ‘L’After’ (after-party until 2 a.m.) will keep the parties going late into the night.
These spectacular events confirm Grandvalira Resorts’ strategy of diversifying its cultural and leisure offering in the mountains – an asset that attracts both winter sports enthusiasts and the general public looking for a good time.
Energy transition and sustainability, more than €200 million invested in 10 years
Environmental preservation is also one of the resorts’ commitments. In 10 years, Andorra’s mountain resorts have invested more than €200 million in renewable energy, energy efficiency and self-production. For 2025-2026, a new photovoltaic park has been inaugurated in Funicamp (between Encamp and the slopes), capable of producing 1.2 GW (cumulative). With the hydroelectric power stations in Ordino (2016) and Pessons (operational since 2022-2023) and the solar park in Pal Arinsal (22,000 m² since 2021), Grandvalira Resorts now achieves around 30% of its annual energy self-production.
In concrete terms, Grandvalira (Grandvalira + Pal Arinsal areas) plans to generate 16.5% of its electricity consumption through its own facilities – an increase of 10.5 points compared to last season. In addition, Ordino Arcalís is 100% energy self-sufficient and Pal Arinsal achieves 50% green production.
Green efforts also translate into sustainable mobility: six new charging stations for electric vehicles have been installed in Pas de la Casa this winter, bringing the total number of stations across all resorts to 119. Holidaymakers can now recharge their cars during their day of skiing.
Finally, energy efficiency is at the heart of snowmaking investments: the new snow cannons consume 90% less energy than before, and the reservoirs are equipped with cooling systems that also reduce their energy consumption by 90%. All of these measures confirm Grandvalira Resorts’ commitment to reducing its CO₂ emissions, as emphasised by the group’s management, and to modernising its resorts with a view to sustainability.