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Andorra & Spain
Andorra & Spain: the mountains
Spain and Andorra might share the same environment, but they are very different places and the development of their skiing industries has unfolded along sharply contrasting lines. Andorra has long been known as king of the budget package holiday, especially among skiers attracted by its cheapness and suitability for beginners – a kind of proto-Bulgaria, if you like. As a result, Andorra's profile has benefited greatly from this popularity, and the resorts themselves have responded by investing heavily in their infrastructures and marketing – as seen by the establishment of the Grandvalira and Vallnord areas. Spain, in contrast, rarely troubles the mainstream skier. Think Spain and understandably the immediate connotations are of beaches and partying rather than mountains and powder. Nevertheless, it is home to a fantastic local skiing and snowboarding scene, and in Baqueria-Beret the Spanish have a resort unique among its European peers. The other hugely appealing aspect of any ski trip to Spain is the chance to combine it with a city break or a surf trip. The surf breaks of the Basque country are among the best in Europe, and this bounty is all confined to a relatively small area. With some flexibility and a hire car, those 'ski in the morning, beach in the afternoon' clichés can become a reality here. Above all, Iberian snow offers a different take on an old theme. As Thomaz Garcia, editor of the Spanish Snow Planet magazine says, “…while the more celebrated Alps might be described as quaint, Pyrenean mountain culture is definitely rougher round the edges. Ancient villages, whose inhabitants haven't changed their lifestyle in centuries, dot the mountainside.” Away from the Alpine heartland, with it's predominantly Franco-German culture, there's a freshness about a trip to Spain and Andorra that causes you to re-evaluate the old associations you might lazily have begun to foster. Tapas after skiing instead of tartiflette or fondue? Such a simple difference changes the context entirely. Consider the amazing riding as well, and you've got quite a trip.
Conditions
The Pyrenean resorts are subject to weather systems coming in from the sea. This humidity can bring huge amounts of snow in a short period of time – but it also means the resulting cover can melt quickly, and the area is characterized by a melting cycle far more rapid than that which takes place in the Alps. The moral is to make sure you're up early on a powder day to take quick advantage of it. Sierra Nevada is even more of a paradox, managing to combine limitless sunshine (it's often touted as Europe's 'sunniest' resort) with a long-lasting base, much of which is thanks to the resort's height and slick snowmaking system. Unsurprisingly, the spring conditions here are pretty amazing. And look out for the snow taking on a reddish tint – the result of sand blowing over from the Sahara and staining the snow. You don't get that in Val d'Isère.
When to go
Thanks to an obvious difference in latitude, Andorra and Spain are subject to slightly warmer temperatures than the other main European ski centres, even if the resorts tend to have similar opening times. As with the other European countries, January and February are the best months to go for guaranteed snow and low temperatures, but early March is probably the best time to go if you're planning a city break as well. By this time of the year, the temperature is pleasantly rising in the cities and along the coast, while there is still plenty of snow in the mountains.
Off piste policy
Perhaps the main thing to say is that heli-boarding and snowmobiling are legal here, unlike in France. Immediately, this opens up plenty of options for those prepared to pay the money to experience real Pyrenean backcountry conditions. That said, private sled rentals and private heli ops are the norm, so speak to some locals to find out more. In resort, everything is on limits to inquisitive riders, although it goes without saying that the same dangers are very prevalent and you should make sure you're fully kitted out with full avalanche equipment. Resort boundaries are well defined, but there is plenty of scope for exploration, particularly in Baqueira-Beret and Andorra's Vallnord.
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