La Massana Snow Machines Exceed 5,000km Amid Brutal Winter

Snow-clearing machines in La Massana parish have now surpassed 5,000 kilometres of operation since the start of the year, amid one of the most demanding winters in recent memory, with frequent and heavy snowfalls requiring constant team mobilisation.

The public roads department, comprising around 20 staff members, starts work at first light and activates immediate protocols for any predicted snow. A real-time monitoring system tracks machine positions, distances travelled, operating hours, salt usage and other operational data, helping to optimise resources and coordination.

Public roads councillor Marcio da Costa described the season as featuring "a very high workload—a winter like those of old, which we haven't seen much in recent years." He noted that while snow benefits Andorra's economy, it demands "a major effort from our workers," calling it "a complex and demanding period" that merits recognition for their fieldwork.

Traffic enforcement this morning at the Erts roundabout has pushed the year's fines for driving without winter equipment during yellow alert levels or above to between 33 and 35, according to parish statements. Operators are extending shifts due to steady snowfall since mid-morning, with forecasts indicating persistent precipitation over the coming week.

Authorities continue to cite poorly parked vehicles—especially on narrow streets—as a significant hindrance, obstructing machine access and safety. La Massana has reiterated guidance for drivers to fit proper winter gear, park clear of clearance routes, drive cautiously with speeds matched to conditions, and check weather and road updates. Property owners remain obliged under communal regulations to clear snow from pavements next to their buildings for pedestrian safety.