The new Mountain facility project (Casa de la Muntanya), specialized in mountain studies, was presented in Andorra, with the support of Actua, Comú d’Ordino, l’Observatori de la Sostenibilitat d’Andorra (OBSA), and the Centre d’Estudis de la Neu i de la Muntanya d’Andorra (CENMA). The center will be located in the Casa de la Natura de la Cortinada, and will move to Casa Ferino d’Ordino in the beginning of 2019, when the adaptation of the space is completed. Over a dozen people from such diverse backgrounds as Escola de Formació de Professions Esportives i de Muntanya d’Andorra (EFPEM), CENMA, OBSA, Associació de Guies de Muntanya, Actua’s Sports cluster, the Ministry of Environment, Andorra Turisme, Andorran ski resorts, and representatives from many sports sector will be part of Casa de la Muntanya
 
During the presentation, Gemma Riba, Cònsol Menor (Deputy Mayor) of Ordino, said “the project will energize the parish of Ordino, becoming a mountain model for the country, and positioning us in the field of nature and mountain activities’ tourism”. Riba highlighted “the Actua’s involvement through its Sports Cluster” to make the project a reality.
 
The director of Andorra Development and Investment (ADI-Actua), Judit Hidalgo, stressed that “Casa de la Muntanya is a great example of what we want to promote from Actua. On the one hand, it is strategic sector for Andorra, and positions the country, even more, as a reference in the sport and mountain sector. On the other hand, we want to provide tools to companies in this sector so that they can develop their projects more vigorously and find synergies thanks to this facility “. Hidalgo added that this project also aims to “retain the Andorran talent, and attract others to strengthen this sector.
 
Marc Pons, director of OBSA and Head of CENMA’s Physical Environment Area, explained that the project is based on three pillars:”the promotion of mountain sports and tourism activities, the interaction and generation of synergies and projects between companies working in the field of mountain sports, the public administration, Research and Innovation entities; and Research in the field of snow management”
 
Knowing in real time the conditions of mountain ski routes
 
Pons detailed the studies to optimize the efficiency of artificial snow cannons, snow groomers, the avalanche risk’s management, and even knowing, in real time, the conditions of mountain ski routes in Andorra. The press conference ended with a demonstration of the model where several projections are being worked on, such as the study of snowfall in the country last February.