Encamp

Encamp parish hosts the Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig sectors of Grandvalira—the older half of the mega-resort, originally founded in 1956 as one of the Pyrenees' first ski areas. Pas de la Casa sits at the French border at 2,050 meters elevation, drawing French day-trippers who pour across for duty-free shopping and affordable skiing. The resort's reputation skews younger and more party-oriented than the family-friendly Canillo side. A gondola from Encamp town provides access to the slopes, allowing skiers to park at lower elevation and ride up. The parish spans from the valley floor to high alpine terrain, creating dramatic elevation change. The 2003 merger that created Grandvalira joined Encamp's resorts with Canillo's, producing 215 kilometers of interconnected skiing across 138 runs. Population is modest, but tourist capacity far exceeds resident numbers during peak season. The Engolasters Lake above Encamp offers summer hiking and a Romanesque church heritage site. By 2026, Encamp's trajectory depends on whether Pas de la Casa maintains its cross-border shopping appeal, whether climate change threatens the high-altitude snow that Grandvalira depends upon, and whether the party reputation can evolve toward higher-value tourism.