Ordino Arcalís
Ordino Arcalís: 442ha of skiable terrain, Freeride World Championships venue, best snow in Andorra. 1,940–2,625m.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
28 Nov 2026
Closes
4 Apr 2027
Days open
127
Annual snow
2.1m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Ordino Arcalís occupies a remote position at the end of the Ordino valley in Andorra's northern parish, sitting entirely above 1,940m and topping out at 2,625m across 442 hectares of skiable domain. While the resort's 31 pisted kilometres across 29 runs make it the smallest on-piste ski area in Andorra, that figure tells a fraction of the story — Ordino Arcalís hosts 450 hectares of skiable terrain in total, with 21 freeride zones, 120 mapped off-piste routes across three difficulty categories, and 4 kilometres of marked freeride itineraries that have drawn elite riders to the Pyrenees for over a decade. The pisted terrain itself covers a practical spread of 31% beginner, 24% intermediate, 39% advanced, and 6% expert, anchored by the 8-kilometre Mega Verde green run — the longest beginner descent in Andorra — which winds from the summit area all the way to the base.
Since joining the Freeride World Tour calendar in 2015, Ordino Arcalís has become one of the most technical stops on the global circuit Grandvalira, and in February 2026 the resort hosted the first-ever FIS Freeride World Championships — the inaugural event to crown official FIS World Champions in freeride across ski and snowboard disciplines. The valley of Ordino itself was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2020, giving the resort a natural setting of genuine ecological significance. At 2,701m, the Tristaina Solar Viewpoint — a suspended 25-metre ring structure perched on Pic de Peyreguils just metres from the French border — has become one of the resort's signature landmarks, accessible in winter by snowshoe or ski touring.
685m
Vertical
29
Runs
31 km
Piste
2.1m
Annual snow
Nord Pass
Pass
The Terrain
29 runs across 31 km of piste
Ordino Arcalís is the smallest of Andorra's three ski areas, with 31 kilometres of piste over 29 runs from 1,940 metres to 2,625 metres, a vertical of 685 metres. The grading is split between the extremes and the middle: 39% advanced, 31% beginner, 24% intermediate and 6% expert, so the in-between skier has the least to choose from. A high base means the snow tends to hold, and the area is quiet compared with its larger neighbours. The reason to come is the terrain just outside the groomed runs, which is where most of the resort's reputation was built.
Freeride is the story: Ordino Arcalís has mapped off-piste itineraries and has been a stop on the Freeride World Tour. The Pic d'Arcalís route, reached by the Bassera cable car, is the gentler introduction, and the Pic de Tristaina line is a long, committing day for experienced skiers with touring gear. On the groomed side, the Mega Verde is a very long green run for beginners and families. The off-piste terrain is avalanche-prone, so hire a guide and carry transceiver, probe and shovel. It suits advanced skiers and riders chasing powder, plus beginners who want a quiet mountain.
Terrain split
29
runs
29 runs across 4 grades
Beginner9 runs · 31%
Intermediate7 runs · 24%
Advanced11 runs · 39%
Expert2 runs · 6%
Time it right
When to visit Ordino Arcalís
Ordino Arcalís typically runs the longest season of any resort in Andorra, with the 2025/26 season opening 29 November 2025 and closing 12 April 2026 — a week beyond the closing dates of both Grandvalira and Pal Arinsal. The resort's average annual snowfall of 5.84m is the highest of Andorra's three ski areas, a product of its north-facing orientation and position deep within the Ordino valley, which channels Atlantic moisture systems and shields slopes from the warming effects of direct southerly sun. Current season snowpack sits at 350cm at the mountain base, with 43cm recorded in the past seven days — conditions that reflect why advanced and freeride skiers specifically target Ordino Arcalís for the quality and longevity of its snow.
January and February produce the most consistent powder conditions, with the high-altitude freeride terrain above 2,400m holding cold, dry snow through extended periods. The resort's March and early April conditions are particularly well regarded among those chasing late-season depth — the north-facing aspects preserve quality snowpack well beyond what comparable south-facing Pyrenean terrain can sustain. The season's extended closing date also aligns with the resort's ski mountaineering and snowshoe circuits, which remain accessible across the higher terrain into early spring, giving the more adventurous visitor compelling reasons to plan a late-season trip.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
127
Days open
2.1 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Ordino Arcalís
Daily snow reports at Ordino Arcalís go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
60 cm
Snowiest day
7 Dec 2021
0.3 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
207 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Ordino Arcalís, and where to stay
Ordino Arcalís sits at the upper end of the Riu Valira d'Ordino valley in the northern Ordino parish, approximately 25 kilometres from Andorra la Vella via the CG-3 and CG-30 roads. Unlike Grandvalira and Pal Arinsal, the resort has no on-mountain accommodation — the nearest lodging is in the village of El Serrat, five minutes by car, with the town of Ordino offering a broader range of hotels approximately 15 minutes from the base. This separation from resort infrastructure is by design as much as geography; Ordino Arcalís functions as a day-trip destination, and its car parks accommodate up to 1,500 vehicles free of charge at the slope-side base area. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation of the Ordino valley places the resort within a protected natural landscape of genuine ecological value, adding a dimension to a visit that most ski destinations cannot offer.
The two primary international gateways are Barcelona El Prat Airport in Spain, approximately three hours south, and Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France, around two to three hours north. Both airports are served by private transfer and coach services into Andorra, with most visitors collecting a hire car in Barcelona or Toulouse for the road journey, which is recommended given the resort's valley-end location and limited public transport frequency. Visitors based in Andorra la Vella can reach the resort in under 30 minutes by car, and the capital's full range of accommodation, the Caldea thermal spa, and duty-free retail all sit within easy reach for evenings after the lifts close.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Ordino Arcalís, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Ordino Arcalís's ski season?
Ordino Arcalís's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 28 through April 4. That window is roughly 127 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Andorra, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Ordino Arcalís have?
Ordino Arcalís lists about 31 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 29 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Ordino Arcalís?
Trail grading at Ordino Arcalís breaks down roughly as 31% beginner, 24% intermediate, 39% advanced, 6% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Ordino Arcalís have?
Ordino Arcalís operates 15 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 6 t-bars, 4 surface lifts, 3 quad chairs, 1 gondola, and 1 6-person chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Ordino Arcalís?
Base elevation at Ordino Arcalís is about 1,940 m (6,365 ft), with the summit around 2,625 m (8,612 ft), giving roughly 685 m (2,247 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Ordino Arcalís get each season?
Ordino Arcalís averages about 207 cm (81 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Ordino Arcalís accept the Nord Pass?
Ordino Arcalís is affiliated with the Nord Pass. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Nord Pass, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Ordino Arcalís lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €20 to €52, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Ordino Arcalís before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Ordino Arcalís so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Ordino Arcalís have a trail map?
Yes. A live interactive map embeds current lift and run status when the provider supplies it, which is useful on-morning for seeing what is actually spinning. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Ordino Arcalís. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Ordino Arcalís located?
Ordino Arcalís sits in Andorra, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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