Ordino Arcalís in numbers
- Altitude: from about 1,940 m to about 2,625 m.
- Pistes: about 30 km of marked pistes, the smallest of the three Andorran ski areas.
- Lifts: about 15, including a gondola.
- Distance from Barcelona: about 3 h 15 min by road, through La Seu d'Urgell, Andorra la Vella and the Ordino valley.
Figures change a little from season to season and between sources, so treat them as a guide and check the resort's own snow report before you go.
Why Ordino Arcalís
Arcalís sits at the very end of the Ordino valley in the north of Andorra, higher than most of Grandvalira and away from the main road through the country. That means fewer people, colder snow and a wild, open landscape of bowls and ridges. It is best known for freeride: the area has hosted stops of the Freeride World Tour, and the terrain between the pistes is the reason many local skiers come here.
Who it suits
Confident intermediates and advanced skiers who prefer quiet pistes and good snow to kilometres of runs. Freeriders, with the right avalanche equipment and ideally a local guide. It suits beginners less well than Pal Arinsal or Grandvalira, which have bigger learning areas and more facilities.
Getting there from Barcelona
The road goes north to La Seu d'Urgell, into Andorra, through Andorra la Vella and up the Ordino valley. Allow about 3 h 15 min, more on Saturday mornings in high season. Andorra is not in the Schengen area, so bring your passport, or a national ID card if you are an EU citizen. See our Barcelona to Andorra guide for the border and the buses.
Going from Barcelona with us
We do not run a fixed day tour to Ordino Arcalís, but we can plan it as a custom private trip from Barcelona, as a long day or with a night in the mountains. For a classic day on skis, our closest options are the five resorts we visit every week in winter.
Compare all the resorts side by side on our ski resorts near Barcelona page, or ask us about your dates.