
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Zermatt is having another crack at a World Cup downhill, and this time nobody has to cross a border. Around 13 million Swiss francs is going into rebuilding the Gornergrat piste, including a jump fed by a roughly 300-metre in-run across the roof of the Gornergrat Railway gallery, with the Matterhorn lined up behind it for the TV cameras. First men’s race is pencilled in for March 2028, pending FIS homologation.

Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation is paying off early: Mt. Rose has started making snow for 2026-27 after the first flurries and a cold snap. The Nevada resort is backing it with nearly US$2 million in upgrades, including a replacement snowmaking main line, a new PistenBully groomer and restraint bars on every lift. Opening day is yet to be confirmed, though Heavenly and Northstar are already eyeing 20 November.

Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.

Mt Hutt is getting busier, and its base lodge is about to catch up. NZ$12 million goes into a heated sun deck roughly three times the current size (430 m² to 1,300 m²), plus a new toilet block, heated steps down to snow level, extra storage and a new food and beverage outlet. Building starts after the 2026 season, with everything due for winter 2027.

Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.

Less than four months out from the Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships, the man running the organising committee has stepped down. Claude-Alain Schmidhalter resigned as Swiss-Ski vice president and OC president after being indicted over a business dispute unrelated to skiing. He denies the allegations and faces court on October 27. Interim leaders are in place for the February 1-14 event.

Kelly Canyon had a rough 2025-26, and the Idaho resort has spent the summer making sure it doesn’t repeat. Snowmaking now reaches the top of Goldrush, the terrain park is doubling in size with a stereo system, lights and a snack shack, and the car park is getting bigger. Grooming is stepping up too. Target opening is December 4, conditions permitting.

Winter was meant to be winding down in Chile. Then Valle Nevado took 108 cm in 48 hours in early October, and the resort has pushed its closing date out to November 8 - its latest in 38 years of operation. That makes 143 days of skiing since opening day on June 19, with 690 cm banked for the season. Only part of the mountain is running while the storm settles, so check the mountain report before you plan a trip.
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Nov 28, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Ordino Arcalís typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from €20, with peak rates up to €52.
Experience Ordino Arcalís premium freeride terrain with this adult daily Nord Pass. Home to the Freeride World Tour with 30.5km of skiable terrain, 5 mountain skiing circuits, and over 120 unmarked freeride routes.
Buy passSpecial junior pricing for ages 12-17 at Ordino Arcalís ski resort. Perfect for adventurous teens to experience world-class freeride terrain and marked off-piste areas in Andorra's highest altitude resort.
Buy passGreat value child ticket for ages 6-11 at Ordino Arcalís. Kids can enjoy the famous 8km Mega Verde green run and beginner areas while parents explore advanced terrain. Family-friendly facilities available.
Buy passDiscounted senior lift ticket for ages 65-69 at Ordino Arcalís. Must present ID at ticket office. Experience Andorra's highest altitude skiing with the best snow conditions and stunning mountain views.
Buy passSpecial senior pricing for ages 70-74 at Ordino Arcalís. Proof of age required at ticket office. Enjoy premium mountain scenery and well-groomed slopes at Andorra's most spectacular ski resort.
Buy passFree daily lift ticket for children 5 and under at Ordino Arcalís. Must present proof of age at ticket office. Access to beginner areas and magic carpet lifts perfect for little ones learning to ski.
Buy passComplimentary daily lift ticket for seniors 75 and over at Ordino Arcalís. ID verification required at ticket office. Full resort access including the spectacular Tristaina cable car and mountain restaurants.
Buy passSpecial beginner-only access at Ordino Arcalís including the famous 8km Mega Verde run. Perfect for first-time skiers to experience a long, gentle descent with stunning mountain views.
Buy passSpecial mountain access pass for ski mountaineering and snowshoeing at Ordino Arcalís. One ascent and descent per lift per day, access to marked ski touring routes and designated snowshoe areas.
Buy passTwo-day Nord Pass covering both Ordino Arcalís and Arinsal. Experience the contrast between premium freeride terrain and family-friendly slopes. Weather guarantee included for peace of mind.
Buy passFour or more days Nord Pass with bonus day at Grandvalira included. Ski premium freeride terrain at Ordino Arcalís, family slopes at Arinsal, plus Europe's largest ski domain. Ultimate Andorra experience.
Buy passUnlimited skiing all season at Ordino Arcalís and Arinsal with the Nord Pass. Access to world-class freeride terrain, summer lifts, and Tristaina solar viewpoint. Perfect for serious skiers and freeriders.
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