Canillo Councillor Urges Residents to Clear Own Snow and Prepare for Winter

Canillo's senior councillor, Jordi Alcobé, has urged residents to take greater personal responsibility for clearing snow and staying safe on icy streets amid recent heavy falls. Speaking to the Andorran News Agency (ANA), he criticised the shift from past community efforts, when neighbours routinely shoveled pavements around their homes, churches and the communal house.

"Now, at the first sign of snow, people call the council if a vehicle doesn't pass," Alcobé said. "That's not normal." He noted that local authorities lack the staff and machinery to clear every road overnight, making it impossible to have all streets salted by 8am or fully cleared the morning after a storm.

Alcobé warned that spreading "tonnes and tonnes" of salt could soon be restricted due to environmental concerns. He highlighted poor vehicle conditions during recent snow in Racons and Canillo, mainly local Andorran cars without chains rather than tourist ones. While fines exist for such violations, enforcement is limited by resources, with police focusing instead on preventing accidents and maintaining traffic flow rather than checking every vehicle.

The councillor questioned the preparation of those involved in recent icy slips and falls. "Did they go out with proper footwear?" he asked, adding that blaming the council, government or himself does not address the realities of mountain weather. "We must get used to the climate being part of daily life—we can't expect 21 degrees year-round in a comfort zone."

With Canillo's population rising from 3,000 to 5,000, many newcomers lack familiarity with these conditions, Alcobé observed. He recommended proper equipment for roads and paths, suggesting that compacting snow on pavements can sometimes be safer than clearing it fully, especially to avoid risks like wearing sandals. "We're a mountain country, a snowy country, but no one picks up a shovel," he said.