Grandvalira to Close on April 6 Despite French Road Closure Impact

Grandvalira will close for the season on 6 April despite losing around 1,000 skiers per day from the month-long closure of France's RN-20 road, director David Hidalgo has confirmed.

In comments to *Altaveu*, Hidalgo said the ski area has no plans to extend beyond that date, unlike Arcalís, which may remain open an extra week depending on snow conditions. He explained that by April, after Easter, "everyone knows the clientele is thinking of other things, and keeping such a large infrastructure open for a handful of visitors makes no sense."

The RN-20 avalanche blockage between Merens and Ax-les-Thermes has forced detours adding three to four hours, deterring day-trippers and short-stay visitors who previously accessed Pas de la Casa from France. Hidalgo, speaking earlier on Ràdio Nacional d'Andorra's *Avui serà un bon dia*, estimated the drop at 70,000 to 75,000 French skiers by season's end against Grandvalira's 1.8 million total—a "perceptible" but not disastrous impact. February figures surprised positively, holding up better than expected.

Hidalgo emphasised that ski operations have suffered far less than Pas de la Casa's shops and commercial centres. "They are really struggling. We will take a small hit, but it won't make or break us," he said, describing the station's losses as "anecdotal" by comparison. Final February data is pending, but longer-stay bookings have seen fewer cancellations.

The road situation remains unresolved, with reopening efforts ongoing.