Ski Touring in Andorra

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 2 to 5 days of ski touring in Andorra
    • Insurance

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Transportation to and from the starting/endpoint
    • Food and snacks
    • Accommodations
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  This Andorra ski touring itinerary was created for experienced backcountry skier. You will spend 5-6 hours on your feet per day, and gain between 800 to 1,200 m (2,625-3,940 ft) of elevation.

  However, your guide can adapt the skiing and summits to your physical and technical level, as well as to weather conditions. This means that if you have beginner in your group, your guide can organize the days to suit your abilities. There are plenty of possibilities for all levels!

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  To participate in the Andorra ski touring adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

  You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on glaciated terrain for 5-6 hours every day. Your guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe.

• What do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
    • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    • Lightweight snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Backpack — 30L, it should be easy to attach skis to
    • Helmet
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Headband or hat (cap or sun hat for hot days)
    • Thin and thicker gloves
    • Clothing for all weathers (layers!)
      • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
      • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
      • Down jacket or vest
      • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • Water bottle and 1L of water
    • Food you can eat on-the-go
    • First aid kit
    • Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
    • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs)
    • Power bank/charging cable for phone
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented for Andorra ski touring if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

  • • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis (or splitboards), touring boots and poles

  Rentals can be made with multiple rental shops in Andorra, see more about this at Andorra Ski Rental. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For the Andorra ski touring, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
    • The tour can go ahead even with only one participant signed up.
    • The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!

  Andorra ski touring can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

  If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If a Client cancels the Booking…

  • • More than 30 (thirty) calendar days prior to the departure date, Client is entitled to a full refund.
    • 14-29 (fourteen to twenty-nine) calendar days prior to the departure date, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of 50% (fifty percent) of the total trip cost.
    • 0-13 (zero to thirteen) calendar days prior to the departure date, Client is not entitled to any refund.
• Getting there and meeting location

  Andorra doesn’t have its own airport, but it’s conveniently located between France and Spain, and reaching it by bus or car is easy. Nearest airports are Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) in France and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) in Spain. It will take you anywhere between 2.5 and 3.5 hours to reach Andorra by bus or by car.

  The exact meeting point will vary depending on your accommodation. Andorra offers a wide range of lodging options for all budgets. You will stay in comfortable lodgings and each day move to a different area. It’s important to note that Andorra is a small country and all starting points are located close to one another, typically within an hour’s drive from the hotel.

• Safety measures in Andorra

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

  Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

  We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!