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Andorra la Vella, October 5, 2020. Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís have announced their health and safety measures against COVID-19 for the 2020-2021 season. The country's ski resorts associated with Ski Andorra, together with the health authorities of the Government of Andorra, have designed a prevention plan that aims to guarantee a safe environment, both for tourists and for the inhabitants of the country. Tests will be carried out regularly on the personnel of the skiable areas , as well as the workers of the tourism ski area and those linked to the trade throughout the country, to guarantee the safety of the population and the tranquility of tourists and visitors. The Grandvalira Resorts resorts plan to open 100% of their slopes this winter, as long as the snow conditions allow it. The commitment to offer a product of the highest quality from Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís remains unchanged despite the current situation, marked by the impact of COVID-19.
To guarantee the highest level of quality on the COVID-19 measures adopted by the resorts, they will be certified by companies of the prestige of Bureau Veritas and OCA.
List of the main COVID-19 measures that will be applied at the Grandvalira Resorts resorts:
● Tests to detect COVID-19 cases will be performed regularly on all staff.
● It will not be necessary to cover the face during the descent when skiing and snowboarding, although the use of a face mask or an approved Buff-type neck scarf is recommended.
● It will be mandatory to cover the face with a mask , or with an approved Buff-type neck scarf , for all those over 6 years of age on the lifts , in the waiting areas and in the boarding of mechanical installations . The use of the mask will be mandatory for all those over 6 years of age in closed spaces, buildings and common areas such as restaurants, schools, shops and lockers.
● There is no capacity limitation in the resort for skiing and snowboarding, but social distancing measures will be implemented in the most critical points.
● The capacity of the ski lifts will not be limited, following the indications of Domaines Skiables de France (DSF), the body that publishes the regulations that govern Andorra in terms of mechanical lifts.
● Limited capacity in closed spaces such as restaurants, schools, shops or material rentals, where it is also recommended that people be separated by at least 1.5 meters. In these spaces, a management system will be implemented in waiting areas.
● Temperature controls will be practiced to access some closed spaces.
● The cleaning and disinfection service of common spaces will be reinforced. The cable cars and buildings will be treated with a photo catalytic system that eliminates viruses and bacteria from all surfaces with a long-lasting effect. New air filtering systems will also be installed in the heating ducts.
● There will be hydroalcoholic gel dispensers in the boarding area of the cable cars and the buildings and restaurants of the resort.
● The Ski and Snowboard School will adapt the technical teaching protocols to guarantee the safety of customers and instructors.
● The prevention measures adopted by the resorts will be certified by the quality seals of the prestigious companies Bureau Veritas and OCA.
● The use of plans and informational materials on paper will be minimized. The use of the Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís applications is recommended to stay informed and consult the piste map, which works without an Internet connection and with an audio guide. Also for previous reservations in a la carte restaurants, where the service to customers with reservation will be prioritized to control capacity.
Ski schools in Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís
All monitors at the Grandvalira Ski and Snowboard School will undergo COVID-19 control tests on a regular basis throughout the season to guarantee their safety and that of their customers.. The schools have adapted technical protocols to ensure the safety of customers and monitors.
Hydroalcoholic gel will be available to the students and all surfaces will be disinfected regularly. All material used between each use is also disinfected.
Restaurants at the Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís resorts
The wide gastronomic offer of Grandvalira Resorts will continue to seduce the palates of skiers. The restaurants will follow the government guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Andorra. Wearing a mask is mandatory when not sitting at the table, and seating has been arranged to ensure a safe distance between the different groups. There will be hand disinfectant at the entrance of the premises and much more frequent cleaning and disinfection will be carried out. Restaurant menus will be in QR format to avoid handling paper.
Après-ski in Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís
This winter does not touch. For a reason of social commitment, Grandvalira has decided not to open its emblematic après-ski spaces in the resort during the 2020-2021 winter season, in line with other renowned resorts in Europe.. Grandvalira is aware of the collective effort to overcome the current situation and does not consider it appropriate to put this sacrifice at risk.
The emblematic Abarset and Aprés Amelie spaces will return next winter with more strength and enthusiasm than ever.
Sports events
This winter, the Grandvalira Resorts resorts are planning top-level international events, which due to their format do not involve overcrowding of participants or attending public. Ordino Arcalís will be the scene, for the seventh consecutive winter, of the prestigious world freeride circuit, the Freeride World Tour, the week of February 22-27.
The Grau Roig de Grandvalira ski area, meanwhile, will host the Kilometer Launched Ski World Cup , on dates yet to be determined.
Andorra, a safe destination
Andorra is the second country in the world that has carried out more tests to control cases of COVID 19 on its population , with screening of 177.9% of its inhabitants. Tests will be carried out on the personnel of the skiable areas, as well as the workers of the tourism ski area and those linked to the commerce of the whole country to guarantee the safety of the population and the tranquility of tourists and visitors.
All shops and stores in Andorra are implementing hygiene and safety measures necessary to guarantee the safety of all visitors, applying the directives and recommendations of the health authorities of the Government of Andorra. In addition, they apply additional cleaning measures and provide hand gel. There are safety notices in urban centres, as everyone is expected to act to protect visitors and workers. It is recommended to respect these rules if they remain in force during the winter.
Luckily, skiing and snowboarding are activities that are practiced outdoors , with equipment such as gloves and goggles, which help protect users.
