Pas de la Casa Night Trial Returns for 28th Edition After Three-Year Hiatus

The Pas de la Casa night time trial ski mountaineering race returned on Saturday for its 28th edition after a three-year break, serving as the finale of the Morabanc Andorra Cup and aiming to become a more popular event for both experienced athletes and beginners.

Organised by Club Pirinenc Andorrà, the competition limited entries to 50 skiers, requiring advance registration via the Topchrono website by 5pm on April 4. Participants could collect bibs on Friday from 9am to 2pm at the Pas de la Casa sports centre, or on race day at the start area for late sign-ups.

Entry fees were set at €15 for students at the ski mountaineering school, €25 for club members, and €35 for others, the latter including a one-day federation licence, race director Neus Cervera noted.

The 1.7km uphill course featured 420m of positive elevation gain, running from the base of the four-person chairlift to Coll Blanc, following the approximate line of the lift. Under-14 and under-16 categories launched at 6pm, with remaining groups starting at 6:30pm.

Club vice-president Roc Adan described the event as "mythical" and stressed its revival to draw a broad field, including novices. Cervera highlighted the deliberate shift from season opener to closer, giving school students a full winter to build technique and strength for this capstone challenge.

Federació Andorrana de Muntanyisme manager Ludovic Albós called the route "very explosive," with the record just under 16 minutes and difficult to break. He expected high participation to end the season strongly.

Encamp councillor for Finance, Sports and Economic Reactivation Nino Marot pointed to the excellent snow conditions and hoped they would hold for a successful race.

The event was announced earlier in the week by Cervera, Adan, Albós and Marot, who underscored efforts to revitalise the historic competition and boost youth involvement.