Arinsal will host the 14th edition of the Ski Mountaineering World Cup from January 24 to 26, featuring the Individual Race and, for the first time, the Olympic Mixed Relay event.

The resort will also host the Spanish Cup on the weekend of January 18 and 19, creating two weeks of exciting ski mountaineering action.

Arinsal is gearing up to once again become the epicenter of ski mountaineering with the 14th edition of the ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Cup, the sixth under the name Comapedrosa Andorra. The event will take place from January 24 to 26 and, for the first time, will feature a change in the lineup of competitions. On one hand, there will be the demanding Individual Race, and on the other, Arinsal will debut the Mixed Relay Race, an Olympic event on the ISMF World Cup calendar, which will replace the Vertical Race. Additionally, the Spanish Cup and the Andorran Cup will also take place this year, solidifying Arinsal as a key destination for fans of this discipline over the course of two weeks.

The introduction of the Mixed Relay Race was one of the highlights presented this morning during the official unveiling of Comapedrosa Andorra 2025, held at the Terroir restaurant in Arinsal. Attendees included Jordi Torres, Minister of Tourism and Commerce of the Andorran Government; Eva Sansa, Mayor of La Massana; Patrick Frases, President of the Andorran Mountaineering Federation (FAM); David Hidalgo, General Director of SETAP365 and the organizing committee of Comapedrosa Andorra; and Carlo Ferrari, Technical Director of the FAM. All emphasized the importance of this event for the Principality of Andorra. “It has become a winter season classic that kicks off the annual competition calendar,” noted Eva Sansa, adding that it “has positioned Arinsal as an ideal destination for those seeking excitement in a privileged natural setting.” Jordi Torres highlighted that “we are a benchmark location in this discipline, and in Andorra, it is experienced with great intensity.”

Two Spectacular Events and the Spanish Cup

Comapedrosa Andorra will feature two key World Cup events this year. The Individual Race, set for Saturday, January 25, will take athletes through a demanding and technical course entirely within the resort. On Sunday, January 26, the Mixed Relay Race will offer a dynamic and exciting competition that holds special significance as an Olympic event, debuting at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo. In fact, the Andorran race will be the first to award points for the upcoming major event. This new format replaces the traditional Vertical Race, one of Arinsal’s most beloved and iconic events since the competition’s inception. The change aims to give greater visibility and value to disciplines included in the Winter Olympics.

Around 130 of the world’s best ski mountaineers from 25 different countries are expected to compete, including major stars. Andorra will also be represented by four athletes: Adrià Bartumeu and Marc Casanovas in the Individual Race, as well as Oriol Olm and Lea Ancion in the Mixed Relay. “It’s a special year for us as it is pre-Olympic. All athletes are fighting to secure one of the 36 spots for Cortina d’Ampezzo, and so are ours. It will be tough, but not impossible,” explained Patrick Frases.

Additionally, the weekend prior, on January 18 and 19, Arinsal will host the Spanish Cup, which will gather around 225 athletes across all categories for the Individual and Mixed Relay events. This event will shine a spotlight on local competitions and showcase the infrastructure and organization of the area. It will also count towards the Andorran Cup, with registrations still open for participants.

The organization of Comapedrosa Andorra and the Spanish Cup will require 85 volunteers, who, as David Hidalgo noted, “provide essential support with their effort and dedication, along with the assistance of special teams and collaborators.”

Greater Exposure in a Pre-Olympic Year

This year’s World Cup will gain a new level of media attention as a pre-Olympic year featuring the Mixed Relay Race. SETAP365 General Director David Hidalgo explained that “the event’s exposure will be significantly greater, not only in specialized media but also in general outlets, due to athletes seeking qualification.” Hidalgo also noted that this year’s event will feature participants from 25 countries, compared to 16 nationalities last year, underscoring the discipline’s growth in every respect.

Full Spectacle on the Skiable Terrain

Both the Individual Race and the Mixed Relay Race will take place entirely within Arinsal’s skiable terrain. Carlo Ferrari explained that “we decided to keep the courses within the resort to ensure the safety of skiers, as mountain conditions are irregular in some areas, while also maintaining a technically valid route.” He added, “the entire race will be viewable from the resort.”

The Individual Race will start and finish at the end of the La Pala slope, reaching up to Port Negre (2,500 m). Male ski mountaineers will complete six laps for a total elevation gain of 1,290 meters, while females will complete five laps with a total elevation gain of 1,080 meters. Meanwhile, the Mixed Relay Race circuit will also be concentrated in the same area, with each category’s runners completing two laps, for a total of four laps.