Winter Snow Festival

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Pas de la Casa

The high-altitude village and ski sector on the Andorran side of the Grandvalira domain, at roughly 2,080-2,100 m. It sits on the road between Andorra la Vella and the French border at Port d'Envalira and is the reference location for this snow festival's on-mountain activity.

2

Grandvalira

The largest ski domain in the Pyrenees, linking Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp. Lift passes are usually hands-free cards valid across the linked sectors, so check which sectors your pass covers before buying.

3

Piste

A marked and patrolled ski run, graded green, blue, red or black. Festival sessions described as slope-side or on-piste take place inside this managed terrain rather than in open backcountry.

4

Off-piste

Ungroomed, unpatrolled terrain outside the marked runs. It requires avalanche equipment, a local guide and a check of the day's avalanche bulletin; it should never be treated as an extension of a festival demo session.

5

Avalanche bulletin (BPA)

The daily snow-safety forecast rating avalanche danger by altitude and aspect. In Andorra it is issued for the Pyrenean sectors; guides, ski schools and off-piste programmes build their day around it. Read it the evening before any backcountry plan.

6

Snowmaking

Machine-produced snow from water and compressed air, used to guarantee base depth on key runs and in the festival's snow-park and demo areas. Exhibitors in this category supply cannons, pumps, hose systems and control software.

7

Grooming / piste basher

Night-time machine preparation of the snow surface by winch or tiller machines. Grooming schedules shape when the runs, and any terrain features built for the festival, are in their best condition - usually first thing in the morning.

8

Snow park

A managed terrain area with kickers, rails, boxes and sometimes a half-pipe. At winter events the park is where brand demos, rider showcases and photo or film sessions concentrate.

9

Après-ski

The post-slope social block - drinks, food and music from late afternoon. At snow festivals this is where the concert stage, bar village and sponsor activations typically sit, and it is the main footfall window for food, beverage and merchandise vendors.

10

Forfait (lift pass)

The ski lift ticket, sold as a day, multi-day or season product. Buy online in advance for peak January-February weeks, and confirm whether the pass you hold covers the sector where festival activities are staged.

11

Freeride

Riding steep or untracked natural terrain, often reached by lift and then hiking. Freeride showcases and film crews are a common content draw at mountain festivals, but the discipline carries real avalanche exposure.

12

Duty-free shopping

Andorra is a low-tax principality outside the EU customs area, so electronics, perfume, alcohol and tobacco are sold at reduced tax. Allowance limits apply when you cross back into Spain or France - keep receipts and check the current limits.

13

Altitude adaptation

At 2,000 m and above, hydration, slower first-day exertion and sun protection matter more than at sea level. Exhibitors working long shifts in a snow village should plan rotas with altitude and cold exposure in mind.

14

Mountain road status

The state of the CG-2 and Envalira pass road linking Andorra la Vella, Pas de la Casa and the French border. Snow chains or winter tyres can be required, and the pass can close in heavy snowfall - check before any transfer.