Vallnord has taken on a new name for the summer, and is now Vallnord Mountain Park, a vast open-air space where adventure and nature are the stars. If you're already a fan of mountain biking, take note, because until 11th September, there's a total of 30 kilometres of ski slopes available for your delight with a total drop of over 1000 metres and 17 circuits of varying difficulty, accessed via mechanical lifts. And if you've never tried this exhilarating sport, the resort also boasts a school offering introductory courses taught by a team of qualified professionals, as well as two easy circuits, ideal for beginners and families.
Vallnord Bike Park has downhill circuits of varying technical difficulty, including the official circuits for the 2008 and 2009 World Cup. There's a wood park circuit with walkways, jumps, slopes and bumps, and a four cross circuit designed for the simultaneous descent of four riders. Also new is the circuit running from the Cubil peak – at 2,358 m, the highest point of the Bike Park – to the chairlift base with the same name, at 1,970 m – an exciting challenge for experts .
As well as mountain bike, there are other challenging activities available in the Pal and Ordino-Arcalis sectors of Vallnord including canyoning, bungee jumping and climbing. These can be combined with others suitable for the whole family, including hiking, go-karting, off-road tours, diving in the lakes of Tristaina (at 2305 meters above sea level), or, new this season, tours in a Gica, (a German-designed amphibious vehicle) which offer the chance to explore the Ordino-Arcalis sector of the mountains, and discover the landscapes, vegetation and local wildlife.
Grandvalira also reinvents itself in the summer and offers all kinds of sports and activities through until October 12th. Why not play golf at Golf Soldeu, the highest green in Europe, located at 2,250 metres, dive in Lake Forn, get an adrenaline rush at the Bike Park or head for the Family Park with its huge range of options including water scooters and kayaks, horse rides, mini golf, trampoline and acrojump, as well as the Fornatura nature trail. For go-kart fans, Andorra's original go-kart park features a circuit designed by Jordi and Marc Gene, the renowned Ferrari Formula 1 driver.
In the mountain area of Sant Julia de Loria, at an altitude between 1,970 m and 2,160 m, lies the eco-park Naturlandia. In winter, this sector of the Camp de Neu in la Rabassa is the ideal destination for lovers of nature and of Nordic skiing. In summer, too, it has much to offer, with horse riding, archery, paintball, quad bikes, golf, nature excursions and all sorts of other activities for all ages from toddlers through to OAPs.
There's no doubt: Andorra knows what summer's all about.
