Friday, March 09, 2007
02/2007: Skiing in Grandvalira, the largest skiing area in Andorra...
The Grandvalira ski region is the largest linked ski area in Andorra and comprises the sectors of Pas de la Casa, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo, Grau Roig and Porte des Neiges. Expansion has begun in the Portes des Neiges area which spans the French border with three new rail parks, plans for the largest beginners area in the Pyrenees and a new activities area.
The small village of El Tarter, despite being on the edge of the ski region and looking a bit like a building site in parts, currently has lots of potential to be an attractive resort in its own right. Grandvalira offers ideal skiing for intermediates and beginners although in good snow conditions the large area will boast greater possibilities for off-piste skiing for the more advanced, although, again, not the most challenging you will find. I found it generally an enjoyable experience, particularly as nearly all the ski access is via fast chairlifts and reduces the need to constantly take off your skis, plod up steps and get into a gondola with other sweaty folk breathing garlic over you! Chair lifts encapsulate what skiing is all about for me apart from the odd occasion (as I experienced on this last visit) when the wind gets so strong up the mountain, you nearly get blown off the chairlift! Basically, a great, ‘cruisey’ ski area…nothing special about the mountain restaurants…and take a piste map the ski signage is as confusing as hell…I’m an ex-ski guide and I still managed to get lost!
The Grandvalira ski region is the largest linked ski area in Andorra and comprises the sectors of Pas de la Casa, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo, Grau Roig and Porte des Neiges. Expansion has begun in the Portes des Neiges area which spans the French border with three new rail parks, plans for the largest beginners area in the Pyrenees and a new activities area.
The small village of El Tarter, despite being on the edge of the ski region and looking a bit like a building site in parts, currently has lots of potential to be an attractive resort in its own right. Grandvalira offers ideal skiing for intermediates and beginners although in good snow conditions the large area will boast greater possibilities for off-piste skiing for the more advanced, although, again, not the most challenging you will find. I found it generally an enjoyable experience, particularly as nearly all the ski access is via fast chairlifts and reduces the need to constantly take off your skis, plod up steps and get into a gondola with other sweaty folk breathing garlic over you! Chair lifts encapsulate what skiing is all about for me apart from the odd occasion (as I experienced on this last visit) when the wind gets so strong up the mountain, you nearly get blown off the chairlift! Basically, a great, ‘cruisey’ ski area…nothing special about the mountain restaurants…and take a piste map the ski signage is as confusing as hell…I’m an ex-ski guide and I still managed to get lost!
# posted by hotelreviewer @ 10:10 am 
