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06/10/2020 - 12:45

Grandvalira Resorts presents its COVID-19 prevention measures for the 2020-2021 season

 Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís expect to open all of their slopes for the whole season, provided the snow conditions allow it.

Tests will be carried out regularly on the staff to guarantee the safety of both employees and customers.

The preventive measures applied at the resorts are certified by the quality seals of Bureau Veritas and the OCA.

Andorra is ranked second in the world for having conducted the most tests in proportion to its national population, with a screening level of 177.9%, making it one of the safest tourist destinations to visit.

 

The Ski Andorra resorts, together with the Andorran Government’s health authorities, have designed a prevention plan that aims to guarantee a safe environment for both tourists and Andorran residents.  

In order to ensure the safety of the population and the peace of mind of tourists and visitors, tests will be carried out regularly on staff at the ski resorts, as well as on tourist sector workers and those linked to commerce throughout the country. 

The Grandvalira Resorts expect to open all of their slopes this winter, provided the snow conditions allow it. Despite the current situation caused by the impact of COVID-19, Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís’ commitment to offering a high-quality product remains unchanged.

Moreover, the Grandvalira Resorts will offer their customers a daily insurance plan at an affordable price that covers the skier’s expenses in the event that they test positive for COVID-19. This measure responds to the concerns expressed by customers themselves through an online survey.

Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís have also introduced a fully flexible policy which allows customers to cancel their bookin made with Grandvalira for free up to 24h before it is due to take place. 

To guarantee a much higher level of quality with regard to the COVID-19 measures adopted by the resorts, they will be certified by the renowned companies, Bureau Veritas and the OCA. 

 

List of the main COVID-19 measures to be applied at the Grandvalira Resorts:

  • Tests will be carried out regularly on all staff to detect COVID-19 cases.
  • It won’t be necessary for customers to cover their faces when skiing or snowboarding down the slopes, although the use of a mask or an approved BUFF®️ type neck gaiter is recommended.
  • All visitors over the age of 6 must cover their face with a mask or an approved BUFF®️ type neck gaiter on lifts, in waiting areas and at boarding points for mechanical installations. It will be mandatory for everyone over the age of six to wear a mask in enclosed spaces, buildings and common areas such as restaurants, schools, shops and ticket offices.
  • A capacity limit will not be set at the resort for skiing and snowboarding, but physical distancing measures will be established at the most critical points.
  • The capacity will not be limited to the ski lifts, following the recommendations of Domaines Skiables de France (DSF), the entity with which the ski resorts of Andorra are associated.
  • Where recommended, enclosed spaces such as restaurants, schools, shops or equipment rental shops have a reduced capacity and also require a minimum distance of 1.5 metres to be maintained between people. In these spaces, a queue management system will be implemented in waiting areas.
  • Temperature checks will be performed before permitting access to some enclosed spaces.
  • The cleaning and disinfection of common spaces will be reinforced. The cable cars and buildings will be treated using a photocatalytic system with a long-lasting effect that eliminates viruses and bacteria from all surfaces. Air filtration systems will also be installed in the heating system air ducts.
  • There will hydroalcoholic gel dispensers in the cable car boarding areas as well as in resort buildings and restaurants.
  • The Ski and Snowboard School will adapt its technical teaching protocols to guarantee the safety of its customers and instructors. 
  • The preventive measures adopted at the resorts will be certified by the quality seals of the renowned companies, Bureau Veritas and the OCA.
  • Customers are advised to book and make purchases online with accommodation at the grandvalira.com website. As well as guaranteeing the best price, all web purchases are covered by an official cancellation guarantee and a free refund.
  • We recommend using a Season Pass or a Plus+ Pass, both of which allow customers to go directly to the lift without having to go through the ticket offices.
  • The self-service system has therefore been improved, incorporating new sales machines and collection points for passes at the various access points to the resort.
  • Contactless and automatic cash machines for the payment with cash are recommended to avoid the staff having to handle cash.
  • The use of paper maps and informative materials will be minimised. The use of the Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís Apps to stay informed and consult the slope map is advised. They work without having to be connected to the internet and include an audioguide. Prior booking at the à la carte restaurants is also recommended. With the aim of limiting capacity, service priority will be given to those with a booking.

 

Free cancellation and refund policy 

If a customer with a booking is unable to visit Grandvalira Resorts due to COVID-19, even though the domain is open, they can cancel their bookin made with Grandvalira at no cost, provided they give 24 hours’ notice. For accommodation packages, the customer should check the establishment’s cancellation policy of the reservation.

 

Accommodation cancellation policy

Grandvalira Resorts has an extensive list of hotels which have the COVID Guarantee with the aim of guaranteeing all customers a refund of the amount paid in their accommodation reservations, without any surcharges, provided that the following conditions are met:

- There is a prohibition to leave a certain territory, imposed by a public or governmental administration in the country of origin.

- There is a prohibition to enter Andorra decreed by the Andorran Government.

- Spain and France: there are flight restrictions or a complete closure of airports.

* This does not include special offers, flash sales or season passes.

 

Season Pass with Refund Guarantee

The Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís Season Ski Passes are covered by a refund guarantee that ensures that in the event of a forced closure of the resort due to COVID-19 during the 2020-21 season, Grandvalira Resorts will apply a refund for the unused ski days. Thus, a reimbursement would be made to customers who have purchased their pass during the Early Booking period and request a refund, and for customers who purchased it in a promotional period or at the usual price, the return of the amount in a redeemable voucher for the following season.

The Refund Guarantee contains a calculation table with the refund percentage to be applied, depending on the date of a hypothetical early closure or the closure of the borders with Andorra, which would impede visitors from travelling to Grandvalira.

 

Ski Schools 

Regular COVID-19 control tests will be carried out on the instructors at the Grandvalira Ski and Snowboarding School throughout the whole season to ensure their safety as well as that of customers. The schools have adapted their technical protocols to ensure the safety of their customers and instructors. The service will be prioritised to those who have made a reservation in advance. It is advisable to reserve in advance on grandvalira.com. 

Hydroalcoholic gel is available and all the surfaces will be disinfected regularly. All the equipment will be disinfected between each use.

 

Restaurants

Grandvalira Resorts' wide gastronomic offer will continue to seduce skiers' palates. The restaurants will follow the government guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Andorra. Wearing a mask is compulsory when not sitting at the table, and seating has been arranged to ensure a safe distance between the different groups. There will be hand disinfectant at the entrance to the premises and much more frequent cleaning and disinfection will be carried out. Restaurant menus will be in QR format to avoid paper handling.

It is recommended to reserve a table in advance in those restaurants with a la carte service through the Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís app and the websites grandvalira.com and ordinoarcalis.com

 

Après-ski at the resort

These events will not take place this winter. Like many other well-known resorts around Europe, due to its social commitment, Grandvalira has decided not to open its iconic après-ski spaces at the resort during the 2020-2021 winter season.

Grandvalira is aware of the collective effort to overcome the current situation and does not consider in appropriate to jeopardise this sacrifice made. 

The iconic spaces of Abarset and Après Amelie will return the following winter ready to party and stronger than ever. 

 

Sporting Events

This winter the Grandvalira Resorts are maintaining plans to hold first-class international events. For the seventh winter running, Ordino Arcalís will set the stage for the renowned Freeride World Tour, from the week starting the 22nd February through to the 27th.

As for the Grau Roig sector of Grandvalira, it will host the Speed Ski World Cup, on dates still to be determined.

 

Andorra, a safe destination 

Andorra is positioned as the second country in the world for having conducted more tests to control COVID-19 in proportion to its population, with a screening level of 177.9%.

In order to ensure the safety of the population and the peace of mind of the tourists and visitors, tests will be carried out on the staff at the ski resorts, as well as on the tourist sector workers and those linked to commerce throughout the country.  

All the businesses and premises in Andorra are implementing the necessary hygiene and safety measures to ensure the safety of all of its visitors, applying the directives and recommendations of the health authorities of the Government of Andorra. Additionally, they apply extra cleaning measures and provide hand gel. There are safety warnings in the cities, as it everyone’s responsibility to act in a way that protects visitors and workers alike. It is recommended to respect these regulations if they continue in force during the winter season.

Fortunately, skiing and snowboarding are activities which are practised outdoors, with equipment such as gloves and goggles, which help protect users.

 

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