Ordino

Ordino

Ordino is the northernmost county of Andorra with the administrative center of the same name. The picturesque place attracts many tourists every year who want to stroll along Romanesque churches, old mansions and stone sidewalks, admire the majestic mountains and breathe in the intoxicating clean air. Ordino regularly hosts classical music concerts and restaurants serving national cuisine, which complements the romantic fairytale atmosphere of the town. But Ordino is famous for another reason – it is one of Andorra’s most popular ski resorts!

General information

The ski runs and slopes were built in the early 80s, which makes this resort quite modern and well-equipped from a technical point of view. The authors of the project of the ski area approached the construction of platforms and slopes with a perspective for the future, thanks to which today you can notice – Ordino and its facilities are quite organically combined with the surrounding landscape.

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The highest point of Ordino is 2640 meters above sea level. The upper part of the resort can be reached by fast and convenient elevators. The bird’s-eye view of the Cercle d’Arcalis, a bowl-shaped gorge, is breathtaking. From here you can also see all the beauty of the forested areas.

Tourists

Ordino is highly valued by both professional skiers and snowboarders and beginners, because it has absolutely everything you need for an active vacation. Ski center Arkalis is located just 17 km from the city. The ski stations of Ordino-Arcalis can be reached in 20 minutes by ski-bus. The ski-bus will take you down to La Massana and from there the new elevator will take you to the slopes of the Pal-Arinsal station.

Due to the fact that most of the slopes are located on the northern slopes, the snow cover lasts much longer than in other resorts. Ordino is second only to Soldeu – El Tarter and Pas de la Casa – Grau Roig in the number of pistes, but it compares favorably with all Andorran ski bases by the variety of pistes for intermediate skiers. It has its own “chips” for fans of extreme skiing – mogul piste, “black” steep slopes. The region is considered to be the best for snowboarders. When weather conditions allow, boardercross is held here, and a modern Snow Park with half-pipe and ski jump has been created.

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Skiing in Ordino-Arcalis takes place in the area of 1940 – 2640 meters, with a height difference of 700 meters. For beginners there are 6 green pistes, for intermediate level – 6 blue, for professionals – 6 red difficult pistes and 2 black advanced pistes. On the territory of the complex there are 40 first-class instructors who will help you “change color.”

Ordino will be an unforgettable place for a family vacation. The resort is equipped with children’s elevators and a children’s garden with fenced slopes. You can entrust your children to instructors who will teach the kids how to stand properly on skis and snowboards. You can be calm – they will be so engrossed that they will not notice your absence.

Climate

The ski season opens in Ordino in the first half of November, when the frost becomes stable. The climate is mild and comfortable, pleases with rare precipitation in the form of snow. There is no penetrating wind, despite the fact that Ordino is located at an altitude of more than a thousand meters. The snow cover is stable and dense. Peak attendance of the resort falls in December. Every year there are more and more people who want to buy hot trips to Ordino for the Christmas and New Year holidays, so we recommend booking a tour in advance.

Attractions

In addition to sports entertainment, Ordino can offer interesting sights of important historical and cultural significance. One of the main ones is the St. George Museum of Orthodox Icons. Hundreds of Russian, Greek and Bulgarian icons from the 16th-19th centuries are kept here. The museum has a library and videos from the places where the icons were brought from, as well as photographs of Orthodox cathedrals and churches.

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Another distinctive place is the Microminiatures Museum with masterpieces by Ukrainian master Mykola Syadrysty, which are only visible under a microscope, as well as the Museum of Architectural Miniatures with models of Andorra’s most significant buildings.

Ordino is also home to the ethnographic museum d’Areni-Plandolite. It is located in the mansion of the d’Areni-Plandolit family and reflects the history of the country, familiarizing visitors with the life and traditions of the Andorran aristocracy.