Grandvalira 's ski area is expanding for the coming winter season with the creation of new slopes in the Pic d'Encampadana. This area, which was initially enabled for freeride in 2006, until now lacked easy access. However, this difficulty has been addressed in an ingenious way.
Thanks to the shared management of Grandvalira Resorts, it is possible to relocate lifts that, although obsolete in one resort, can be perfectly useful in another. Such is the case of the old Port Negre chairlift in Pal-Arinsal, a four-people chairlift with fixed clamp that had become too small, but which is ideal for the new Encampadana ski area in Grandvalira-El Tarter.
This relocation also entails a change of name, as it will now be called Telesilla Seig. At the same time, there are plans to create at least two additional ski runs, which will probably allow Grandvalira to exceed the 210 kilometers of slopes at present.
Next winter, as soon as snow conditions permit, Grandvalira will inaugurate the new ski area, which will be mainly geared towards expert skiers.
As for the new Port Negre chairlift in Pal-Arinsal, the works are at an advanced stage, and it is expected that in the next few days the installation of the pylons will begin with the help of a helicopter. During the month of October, the cable will be laid and the new six-people chairs will be hung. This will allow for load testing in November, in time for the start of the 2023-2024 ski season.
This chairlift represents the first phase of the expansion of the Pal-Arinsal ski area, which involves the creation of new slopes between these two ski resorts. Currently, the only way to get from one to the other is via the cable car inaugurated in 2001.
When the Pal-Arinsal expansion project is completed, it will be possible to move from one ski area to the other by skiing thanks to the new slopes. The total investment required for the three years of works amounts to 25 million euros and includes the "Espeluga" detachable chairlift, which will connect the valley floor with the upper part of the Pal-Arinsal cable car. This lift will give access to new red and black level slopes. In addition, the four-people chairlift "Meligar" will provide access to another five new slopes.
Thus, this year, Grandvalira Resorts will install a total of three new lifts, in addition to the two mentioned above, with an additional ski lift in Ordino Arcalís ski resort.
