Enjoy mountains with virgin powder snow, descend through forests and a landscape of spectacular beauty, slide looking for jumps and doing tricks, demonstrating your own skills and the ability to improvise before always different descents. AND do it in a safe environment. Is the dream of any freerider and fulfilling it is possible in the Andorran resort of Ordino Arcalís.
Ordino Arcalís has been named as the paradise of freeridersand this designation is not without reason. The station transmits freedom to let go and take advantage of all its terrain. For it It has 440 hectares of off-piste skiing within the domain which are distributed in 2 different areas that can be accessed by chairlift or gondola lift. The areas have slopes both for beginners who are just beginning in the modality and for experts who are looking for maximum adrenaline, and a total of 3.4 kilometers of signposted freeride itineraries have also been prepared. In addition, the resort’s privileged north-facing orientation prevents the wind from blowing away the powdery snow and the sun from irradiating it too much, which favors Ordino Arcalís maintaining a good quality and quantity of snow throughout the winter, even in off-piste areas.
The freeride school and the new Freeride Academy for young people
The station has a specialized freeride school that allows beginners to get their first experience while learning to recognize the different types of snow and the different skiing techniques and safety, key information to be able to face off-piste escapades autonomously and safely. The most expert freeriders will also be able to take advantage of the knowledge of the school monitors to explore the wildest places. and the most unknown routes of the Arcalís mountains.
Ordino Arcalís has 440 hectares of off-piste skiing within the domain
| Ordino Arcalis
As a novelty, this season Ordino Arcalís has inaugurated the Freeride Academy, a seasonal school for young people between 13 and 18 years old who want to start or improve in this modality, and also for those who want to enter the world of freeride competition, whether in skiing or snowboarding, with more specific training. With the Freeride Academy, students will be able to safely practice and enjoy off-piste skiing accompanied by experienced and qualified instructors, while respecting the mountain and other skiers is strengthened.
Those who want to take advantage of the day and fully enjoy the natural environment of Ordino Arcalís, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2020, they can opt for the Guide Freeride Academy, an experience with which, with the help of an expert guide, they can discover the most spectacular scenarios of the place. The proposal includes all the safety material (DVA, shovel and probe) as well as VIP parking and a hard material test.
All training and experiences include the subject of securitysuch as ski planning in alpine terrain, the professional use of the ARVA (an avalanche victim search device), the shovel and the probe, or how to know how to approach a critical off-piste situation.
The appropriate material for a safe practice
Since freeriding is a sport considered extremewhich takes place off the track, and part of the fun is performing stunts, it is important to have the right material. The practice of freeride requires different skis than alpine skis, which provide greater stability and a feeling of buoyancy for jumps, as well as the use of a helmet and it is advisable to use a backpack with an airbag. It is also advisable to carry a transmitter, shovel and tracker, although the advantage of Ordino Arcalís is that the freeride areas, being within the domain, are conditioned and prepared to avoid avalanches and thus make the practice of this modality safer and more controlled. But, if you prefer, the Ordino rental shops have all the necessary material for your practice.
The recognition of the biggest international freeride competitions
The recognition of Ordino Arcalís as an international benchmark for off-piste skiing, it is supported by the celebration of the Freeride World Tour. This competition, the most important at an international level and where the most renowned riders in the world meet, has been organizing one of its tests in Ordino Arcalís for 8 years, and has been renewed, for the time being, for three more. In addition, the version for the professional riders of the future, the Freeride Junior World Tour, is scheduled to be held in Ordino on April 9 and 10.
The days before, from April 4 to 8, Ordino Arcalís will also host the Jam Extremecompetition of the Two and three star Freeride World Qualifier that will allow aspiring riders to showcase their skills and add points to be able to participate in the highest category of the Freeride World Tour.