No snow: Largest ski resort in Pyrenees delays its opening date
So far the only snow has been a light covering of artificial powder at 2,500 metres altitude
The Grandvalira resort has pushed back its opening at the last minute
martin SC photo/Shutterstock
The biggest ski station in the Pyrenees has delayed its planned opening date due to a lack of snow.
The resort of Grandvalira, in Andorra, had planned to open on November 30. But due to a lack of snowy conditions, opening has been delayed to December 6 at the earliest.
So far, the station has only managed to create a thin covering of artificial snow at 2,500 metres altitude, which was produced during a period of colder weather. Since then, conditions have not been favourable.
The largest in the Pyrenees, the resort is made up of 303 km of pistes, including Grandvalira (210 km), Pal Arinsal (63 km) and Ordino Arcalis (30 km). The pistes range in altitude from 1,500 m (Canillo) to 2,560 m (Llosada peak).
Other Pyrenees ski stations have since announced that they are delaying the start of the season.
Cauterets and Saint-Lary in the Hautes-Pyrenees were due to open this weekend but a lack of snow and warmer weather has made it impossible. It is hoped that they will open next week but that is also uncertain.
Spanish ‘bridge weekend’
On its website, the resort stated: “The resorts of Grandvalira Resorts are concentrating all their efforts on starting the 2024-2025 season to coincide with the ‘Puríssima bridge’.”
This ‘bridge’ weekend takes place in Spain, and runs from Friday December 6 to Monday December 9. This is traditionally when many Spaniards flock to the resort which is - in comparison - not as popular among skiers from France.
Last year the resort opened on December 2.
Read more: 2024-25 dates for ski slopes to open in French Alps and Pyrenees
Read also: Snow arrives: opening dates of French ski resorts
In France, the first ski stations have already begun to open, including Val Thorens and Tignes. This Saturday, November 30, the resorts of l'Alpe d'Huez, les 2-Alpes and Val d'Isère will be among those aiming to open.
