French Authorities Reopen Andorra Border Roads RN320 and RN22 to Light Vehicles After Snow Closures

**French authorities have reopened key Andorra border roads RN320 and RN22 to light vehicles from around 8:45am, following overnight closure amid ongoing snow and wind, though full shutdowns remain possible based on weather shifts.**

The Andorran Mobility Department confirmed the latest access for cars and light vehicles via Pas de la Casa, after French officials lifted restrictions imposed from 8pm Saturday until further notice. Heavy goods vehicles continue to face bans, while the Puymorens pass stays closed. Officials stressed constant monitoring, with decisions coordinated alongside Andorran counterparts, and urged drivers to check updates and prepare for ice, high-altitude snow buildup and strong gusts.

This follows a pattern of selective measures after Andorran pressure softened France's initial plan for full weekend shutdowns from Friday evening until Monday morning. Saturday saw reopening at 10am for light vehicles—post-10pm Friday closure—only for renewed full closure at 8pm due to deteriorating conditions. Shuttle services between L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre and Pas de la Casa restarted Saturday afternoon with limits but faced morning disruptions Saturday, stranding train passengers until Pas de la Casa merchants drove to collect them. Today's shuttle operations are expected to run normally, with prior coordination avoiding repeats.

Authorities activated yellow alert phase on Andorran roads including CG-2 from El Tarter, CG-3 from Llorts and CG-4 from Pal, mandating winter equipment on French access routes and banning motorcycles, mopeds and personal mobility vehicles in restricted zones.

These disruptions layer atop the RN20 closure between Mérens-les-Vals and Ax-les-Thermes since late January's landslide. France rejected Andorra's offer of staff and equipment for sites like Mérens and L'Hospitalet, citing technical reasons the Andorran government called vague and discouraging, with no firm reopening timeline. Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor warned of at least three months of consolidation work, posing economic risks to Andorra's tourism and trade, alongside impacts in Ariège.

Andorra has bolstered free shuttles, introduced weekly €30 fuel vouchers for vehicles registered in Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales, and seen Grandvalira offer 20% discounts on one- and two-day passes for L'Hospitalet train passengers to offset 11,000 lost ski days in January. Despite poor visibility, Grandvalira reopened higher lifts and runs mid-morning Saturday as winds eased, with caution signs posted. Pas de la Casa streets stayed quiet, with group cancellations rising and business pessimism growing ahead of carnival. Encamp deputy consul Xavier Fernàndez acknowledged French efforts on RN20 but expressed frustration in a high-snow ski season. The RN20 cutoff has diverted French clients to nearby Occitan tobacco shops.