Andorra Direct

🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨 Message Starts🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨

I was woken by rattling shutters as overnight the wind picked up to gale force. Although the wind has subsided this morning to about 20kph a number of the runs have been affected and we're down to a mere 120/127 runs open - about 202km in total. A high pressure area is stuck over the Azores (the 'Azores High' is a common summer weather pattern) and is dragging an unpredictable westerly airflow in. The forecasters are changing their minds daily and their predictions of heavy snow this weekend have lessened to a 'maybe it will, maybe it won't'. We'll have to wait and see.

I mentioned a couple of days ago the longer term plans for Vallnord and I thought I'd give you a bit more information today.

'Vallnord' is a trademark managed by the Mayors of the administrative districts (parishes) of Ordino and La Massana. La Massana - through the company E.M.A.P. - controls the ski resort of Pal-Arinsal, and Ordino - through the company SECNOA - controls the Arcalis ski resort.

E.M.A.P. intends to invest € 6.7 million over the next two years in developing the infrastructure of the Pal Arinsal sector. The aim is to upgrade and improve the Pal Arinsal station, by the acquisition of new equipment, increasing the range of services and installing new cannons for artificial snow. The cannons will be installed in Pal, on the Font Roja and la Transversal slopes. Overall 2.4 million euros will be spent this year and 4.3 million euros next year.

The first stage of the project will also include improving the arrival zone at the Coll de la Botella station – the construction of new parking, the opening of a new ski school and new restaurants with large terraces.

The second stage of the project envisages arranging new routes for beginners in the sectors of both Pal and Arinsal, as well as the creation of all necessary infrastructure for international mountain skiing competitions. €340k of the investment will be used to modernise the ski school in Arinsal.

In the area of ​​Comallemple a 20 thousand cubic metre reservoir will be built - necessary for the production of artificial snow.

The work will be fully funded from the La Massana administrative department’s budget. (E.M.A.P. did make a profit of €17m last season before expenses after all!).

So a bit of healthy competition for Grandvalira and that's good news. A quick look at the wind speed tells me it's risen to nearly 40kph so although it's a cloudless sunny day I think I'll give it a miss, do some housework and practice my banjo for the 'trad' session in the Harp aprés ski.

🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨 Message Ends 🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨

Andorra Ski Blog — Andorra Ski Blog - Tuesday 16th January 2018. ... Andorra Ski Blog - Tuesday 16th January 2018. 🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨 Message Starts🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨 The sun’s out but a few clouds are skitting across the sky from the West/Nor’-west indicating a windy day. This is...

Last morning of 2017 in soldeu.