Andorra is a small duty free principality situated in South West Europe, high in the Eastern Pyrenees. It lies between Spain, Catalonia and France, where it borders the Ariège region, but it is not part of the European Union. Andorra is just 180 sq miles in size so you can enjoy a taste of its resorts as distances are relatively short. And it is 2000 metres above sea level and there are routes suited to varying levels of ability. It has seven "parishes" which are: Canillo, Encamp, Ordino, La Massana, Andorra la Vella (the capital), Sant Julià de Lòria and Escaldes-Engordany. It might not be the first destination that comes to mind for cross country skiing, but it does have some merits. If you have a car, you can sample the resorts in nearby Spain to extend the lengths of tracks.

Getting to Andorra

In La Rabassa are the trails of Naturland, an 800 hectare eco and adventure park, in the parish of Sant Julià de Lòria which has 15km of dedicated cross country trails.

At the 2,000 metre level there are Nordic ski tracks and basic services for cross country skiers - ski equipment rental, a cafe and restaurant with a varied menu, and parking. The resort also has its own cross country ski school and guided outings with the centre instructors can also organised. You can also try other winter activities such as mountain skiing, snowshoes, moon bikes, snow scooters, and nordic sleds.

At the 1,600 metre level the area  is used exclusively as an outdoor activity center with no cross country skiing track. Some of the attractions in this area are the Tobotronc, the Airtrekk - a 13.5 meter high wooden structure to exercise balance - and the Forestline.

Tickets and passes:

The park offers several entry options. The season pass gives you access to the resort's 15 kms of cross country skiing as well as to the mountain skiing and snowshoeing circuits. A one-day pass gives you any of the three activities and if you just want to cross-country ski, there is  La Rabassa ticket, which gives you the ski pass, and includes equipment rental, a one-and-a-half-hour guided snowshoe trail and a collective class time.

Mountain Pass ski pass:

If you like mountain skiing, the Mountain Pass is for you. With this global pass you can practice mountain skiing and snowshoeing at all the resorts of the Principality: Grandvalira , Ordino Arcalís , Pal Arinsal and Naturland.  Also, by having this ski pass, you will be able to use some of the lifts in the stations, with one ascent and one descent per day, and access to the circuits enabled for this practice.

Skimo and snowshoe circuits through La Rabassa

As well as cross-country skiing,  you can also enjoy several signposted ski and snowshoe circuits, which will take you to various points in the La Rabassa region, such as the bunkers, Pimes refuge and Port Negre.

Opening hours
Naturland is open during the winter from the end of November (or the beginning of December) until mid-April, from 9 am to 5 pm.

This is the largest of Andorra’s ski resorts which is divided into seven areas - Canillo, Soldeu, Pas de la Casa, Encamp, El Tarter, Peretol and Grau Roig.

Grau Roig

is renowned for its uncrowded slopes and jaw-dropping scenery. You can cross country here and be out in a mountain wilderness, with pine forests and glistening lakes. Grau Roig has an altitude of 2,120 metres, and at this altitude you will find about 30 km of snow sure, perfectly groomed high-altitude cross-country trails - A good level of physical fitness is recommended! There are 4 different tracks in this sector. The trails from Grau Roig lead to El Peretol at approximately 1950 metres.

Encamp, El Tarter, Soldeu and Pas de la Casa

There are

• 3 tracks in the Pas de la Casa sector - The resort is located at an altitude of 2,100 metres. 
• 3 in the sector of 'El Tarter
• 3 in the Soldeu sector - one of the longest trails in the area, with a panoramic view of the Canillo valley.
  
• 2 in the Peretol sector, and 
• 1 in the Canillo sector.



The variety of cross country tracks can be broadened by taking the trails of Saint Juliá de Lòria and the cross-country ski centre in La Rabassa.

Weather

Where to Stay

There are plenty of places to book, it's just a question of choosing your base to get the most out of your trip, variety of nightlife, shopping etc. The companies below will provided a start point in looking.