Things To See On a School Ski Trip To Andorra

As any teacher will tell you, taking schoolchildren on a school ski trip is not only about the enjoyment of whisking down slopes or hitting the ramps and half-pipes. Like all educational excursions, the endeavour must also present a didactic side, and the skiing and snowboarding sessions should be interspersed (or, at the least, bookended) by other types of sightseeing or cultural activities.

As such, it is important that, when planning their school ski trip for that year, teachers set their sights on a location that can offer not only accessible ski and snowboard courses, but also a wealth of sights to see, some cultural spots and at least some degree of opportunity to experience the local lifestyle. In this regard, an excellent, if often overlooked, location to head to can be the principality of Andorra.

One of the tiniest countries in Europe, and often mistaken for a part of Spain, Andorra is tucked snugly into the Alps, between northern Spain and southern France and, like both of these, offers excellent conditions for winter sports. Its slopes and resorts are famed among a certain, more exclusive section of the ‘adult’ crowd, but teachers and educators will be happy to know that the region can cater to children as well.

In fact, while extremely small in terms of total area, the principality of Andorra offers a surprising amount of sights to see, some of which could interest teachers visiting the region with their students for the purposes of winter sports.

For participants in a school ski trip, the country’s main attraction will of course be mountain ranges such as La Massana, home to the highest peak in the country, Pic de Coma Pedrosa. Educators who manage to divert their pupils’ attention away from these enticing slopes, however, may find their interest taken by any of the quaint, scenic and historic towns scattered around the principality.

La Massana itself offers a wealth of famous Andorra churches to gaze upon, side by side with the shopping, sport and nightlife, which make it a perfect home base for a school ski trip to Andorra. Close by, other destinations expand on the cultural aspect of the country, providing students and teachers with all manner of sites to visit.

Canillo, for instance, can be considered the centre of Andorran architectural heritage, featuring everything from medieval churches to a sanctuary, which perfectly blends modern and classic styles and constitutes a mandatory stop in any cultural tour of Andorra. The Church of St. Christopher is another interesting location to visit, particularly in July, when a fiesta takes places in and around it. For a more nature-oriented bout of learning, the hot springs at Les Escaldes are an excellent choice. The shops at Andorra La Vella (right up close to the popular ski resort of La Valira) or the football stadium at Aixovall, on the other hand, offer all the conditions for a more relaxed day out.

It is clear then, that, although small, Andorra has a lot to offer, and can be an excellent destination for students.

Susan Joubert works for Ski Plan Travel, the market leaders in excursions for schools. Experts in arranging school ski trip itineraries, Ski Plan has over 14 years experience organising safe and successful tours. We arrange courses with an extensive range of resorts for the best student experience.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.