France Reopens Pas de la Casa Border Early After Storm Goretti Snow Clears

**France reopens Pas de la Casa border early Sunday after storm Goretti snow eases, following COEX assistance**

French authorities reopened the Pas de la Casa crossing to all vehicles early Sunday morning, earlier than the initial Sunday 8am target, after accepting help from Andorra's COEX. Snow-clearing teams from COEX and France's DIRSO worked from around 4:30am on roads RN320 and RN22, making them passable with winter equipment required. The move came as storm Goretti's effects waned, with high pressure bringing stability, sunshine and rising temperatures across the Principat.

The closure, which began at 6pm Friday due to heavy snow and winds, stranded about 200 people on French roads overnight, requiring accommodation. Ariège Prefecture had extended the shutdown amid avalanche risks and poor conditions on RN320, RN22 and RN20. Saturday saw widespread frustration in Pas de la Casa, where traders wrote off the weekend's sales. Shop owners reported near-zero takings—"I sold just one pack of tobacco, to a local," one said—while hotels managed some reroutes via Puigcerdà or extensions, though cancellations and delays hit French visitors hard. Òscar Ramon, president of the Pas Neighbours and Traders Association, voiced disappointment over frequent disruptions, noting past convoys handled heavier snow.

Storm Goretti dumped significant accumulations over 48 hours from Friday morning: 126cm at Sorteny (51cm Friday, 76cm Saturday), 53cm at Fonts d'Arinsal, 51cm at Sorteny in 24 hours, 45cm at Bony de les Neres, 40cm at Envalira antennas and Grau Roig, 20cm in Andorra la Vella, and 13cm at FEDA's hydroelectric plant. Winds gusted to 138km/h at Tossa d'Espiolets, limiting buildup there to 1cm and shutting higher ski lifts at Grandvalira and Pal-Arinsal. Funicamp remained closed for safety, though Funibus served Grau Roig; Arcalís access stayed shut until Sunday 6am after preventive blasts at Soldeu, Arinsal and Coma de Ransol.

Yellow phase mandates for chains or snow tyres expanded nationwide Friday evening into Saturday, persisting Saturday morning from Escaldes northwards and on CG-2 from Encamp. Critical spots included Encamp variant, where unequipped vehicles caused blockages, plus issues between Escaldes-Encamp and CG-3 post-Pont Pla tunnel. Police fined non-compliant drivers and managed controls amid queues, like at Canillo's kilometre-zero roundabout. Three minor crashes occurred Saturday: material damage at kilometre-zero roundabout and Incles, plus a Tarter collision; a 61-year-old Spanish tourist suffered back injuries near Juberri. Encamp saw over 25cm, with cleaning crews active and calls for pedestrian caution.

Andorra's National Meteorological Service issued orange alerts for snow and winds above 2,100m north, yellow elsewhere, until Sunday morning. Avalanche risk stayed at level 4 (high) north, 3 elsewhere, with warnings of wind slabs on northeast-southwest slopes and urban slip hazards as snow melted. Protection Civil urged off-piste avoidance amid rising temperatures increasing instability.

Justice and Interior Minister Ester Molné expressed government disagreement with the closure after Thursday-Friday talks, offering COEX ploughs while prioritising safety. Frequent bilateral contacts continued. Andbus and Hife cancelled French routes Friday, reassigning passengers. Saturday cleaning improved lower roads, limiting yellow phase to high parishes like La Massana and Canillo by evening. Precipitation tapered southwards Saturday afternoon, ending fully by evening. FC Andorra's match against Cultural Leonesa faced suspension risk due to 20cm on Encamp pitch.