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Looking for a ski holiday destination that's a little out of the
ordinary? Look no further than Andorra, the tiny principality between
France and Spain. Andorra's location in the eastern Pyrenees Mountains
makes it a wonderful vacation spot for those looking for a fun,
European ski holiday. In fact, Andorra depends on tourists, including
skiers. Eighty percent of its gross domestic product comes from tourism
dollars. And when a country depends on tourist dollars, they're going
to go all out to cater to those tourists.
A ski holiday in Andorra benefits from the rugged mountains and the
high altitude, which means more snowfall. More snowfall means more
opportunities for some skiing fun. Combine this with the fact that
Andorra has duty-free shopping, and it's no wonder 9 million tourists
visit this country of 68,000 residents annually.
Enormous investment has been made in developing Andorra's ski resorts.
The ski circuit of Granvalira, which includes the Pas de la Casa, Grau
Roig, El Tarter and Soldeu, is a fantastic place to go for a ski
holiday. The area has 193km (or more than 119 miles) of ski runs. The
Vallnord ski area is located on the opposite side of Andorra and is
comprised of the Arinsal and Pal resorts. It's not as extensive as
Granvalira, but those on ski holidays still can spend at least a week
enjoying the pristine alpine air and zipping through the powder. If
you're more into cross-country skiing rather than downhill or you're a
fan of snowshoeing, you might want to plan your ski holiday in
Andorra's La Rabassa area.
Andorra's ski resorts have something for everyone. Beginner,
intermediate and advanced runs are available. Whether you're a
beginning or able to fly down the mountain like a pro, you'll be
satisfied with your ski holiday. Other attractions at the resorts
include restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and even transportation to
Andorra la Vella for the shopaholics in your party. And the resorts
also have the benefit of English speakers on staff, so don't worry
about communication.
And at the end of the day when you're tired from all that activity out
in the cold? Curl up next to a roaring fire in one of the resorts'
mountain chalets. Could there be anything more romantic?
Jayne Collingwood
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