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• Resort Guide

Resort Height: 1800m

Soldeu has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the world’s biggest ski areas. Now part of Grandvalira, the largest ski area in the Pyrenees, it is linked to five other ski resorts and the ski area even extends over the border in to France. Massive investment over the past decade in particular has seen the resort debut one of the planet’s most impressive fleets of state-of-the-art high speed chair and gondola lifts, a huge snow making arsenal (more than 1000 snow guns cover more than 40% of the ski area) and in the resort itself new roads and some swish hotels.

Those who visited Andorra twenty years ago during its ‘bargain bucket’ days will hardly recognise the place. They probably won’t appreciate the fact that Soldeu’s lift ticket cost has risen to match its new found status and is now at the top end of lift pass costs in Europe. On the other hand the party atmosphere and duty free prices on alcohol and cigarettes remain and are little changed and Soldeu remains a lively resort. Although there has been a lot of smartening up it also remains a deceptively small and compact centre, just stretching along the road heading out towards the French border.

Beginners

A good choice for first timers for four reasons: firstly the beginners’ area at Pla des Espiolets is at a snowsure altitude, easy to reach from the village by gondola. Secondly the ski school has the highest reputation, thanks mostly to its great teachers, many of whom are Brits, Kiwis or Aussies. Thirdly a special Beginners Pass is available by the day for nursery slopes so you don’t need to buy a full pass and fourthly Soldeu is a relaxed and affordable resort where you can learn to ski and board in an unpretentious, unpressurised environment and not break the bank celebrating your achievements in the evening.

Intermediates

Soldeu’s huge ski area is predominantly made up of wide, fast, sunny blue and red pistes above the tree line which intermediates can whiz around to their heart’s content. The high speed lift network also makes it easy to travel some distance to neighbouring resorts and even in to France and make it back again easily at the end of the day. Popular areas include the vast snowy bowl of Riba Escorxada.

Advanced

Expert skiers are likely to be the least impressed by Soldeu’s many attractions, although the sheer expanse of the ski area, which includes 22 black graded runs, should still keep all but the most demanding snow fans satisfied for a week at least. Popular areas include the off-piste powder fields of Grau Roig and mogul fields that tend to grow up above Soldeu on the Avet piste.

Snowboarding

Soldeu has three freestyle areas containing terrain parks for boarders of all ability levels to enjoy. The Camp Isard Park at Pas de la Casa is aimed at beginner to intermediate level freestylers, whilst the Snowpark El Tarter is aimed at advanced boarders. There’s a Freestyyle Circuirt for intermediate level boarders in Grau Roig. The Isards Park was expanded in 2007-8 with new wooden structures added in a modular layout. You will also find a permanent boardercross course and a freeride zone. The ski school offers one day/three hour or week long courses in the parks and there’s the option of buying a reduced price park only lift ticket.

Other Activities and Facilities

There is little to do in Soldeu itself besides ski, shop and enjoy the bars and restaurants. However the new five star Hotel Hermitage does contain a spectacular new Sport Wellness Mountain spa which is open to non-residents at a price, and provide top quality spa services over its three storeys of pampering facilities. If you need your spas bigger still it’s a short trip to the capital, La Vella, to visit the famous Caldea thermal spa complex, along with the hundreds of duty free shops.

Other than ten minute scenic helicopter flights, most other facilities are available in Soldeu’s neighbouring Grandvalira resorts. Canillo for example – which is ten minutes away down hill on the bus – has a sports centre with another swimming pool, as well as ice rink and squash. In Grau Roig you can try archery, snow shoeing, igloo building, sledging, paint ball, dog sledding and snowmobiling. Another neighbour, El Tarter, has paragliding.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Soldeu is infamous for its lively nightlife with most bars open for most of the night and indeed in most cases only starting to get busy after 11. Popular choices include Iceberg, the Aspen Bar and Fat Alberts.

Dining choices have expanded up market in recent years with the opening of the Sporthotel and Hermitage bringing four and five star dining. Otherwise there’s plenty of pizzeria or traditional Andorran ‘Borda’ style restaurants to choose from.

Families

Although Soldeu resort itself is not especially family friendly, some of the hotels are, for example the Sport has a free Kid’s Club for 4 – 12 year olds for its guests. On the snow however Soldeu comes in to its own with an excellent nursery for children aged two to four (indoor facilities with outdoor snow play). Younger children from age one can stay at the nursery in neighbouring Grau Roig. Bookings are available from two hours up to five days. Children aged three to six can also get their first taste of skiing through a selection of courses in the snow garden which balance indoor play with first ski experiences. Both the facilities and the staff are excellent. Older children have special ski school classes. A new development in 2007-8 was the creation of the Disney snow Club for children aged up to 11 which has a range of Disney themed perks and privileges.

Ski/Board Suitability Guide

Suitable for families:	[Yes]
Suitable for beginners:	[4]
Suitable for intermediate skiers:	[4]
Suitable for advanced skiers:	[2]
Suitable for boarders skiers:	[3]

Piste Map for Soldeu

Accommodation in Soldeu

• Aphtl Himalaia-soldeu - 4 star, half board
• Aphtl Himalaia-soldeu - 4 star, half board
• Aphtl Himalaia-soldeu - 4 star, half board
• Bellavista Apartments - 2 star, half board
• Bruxelles - 2 star, half board
• Bruxelles - 2 star, half board
• Chalet Font - 2 star, half board
• Del Clos - 3 star, half board
• Del Clos - 3 star, half board
• Del Clos - 3 star, half board
• Euro Esqui - 4 star, half board
• Euro Ski - 4 star, half board
• Euro Ski - 4 star, half board
• Euro Ski - 4 star, half board
• Font Apartments - 2 star, half board
• Galanthus - 4 star, half board
• Himalaia Soldeu - 4 star, half board
• Himalaia Soldeu - 4 star, half board
• Himalaia Soldeu - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Del Clos - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Himalaia Soldeu - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Nordic - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Piolets - 4 star, half board
• Hotel Piolets Park - 4 star, half board
• Nordic - 4 star, half board
• Nordic - 4 star, half board
• Nordic - 4 star, half board
• Nordic Apartments - 1 star, half board
• Piolets - 4 star, half board
• Piolets Hotel - 4 star, half board
• Piolets Park - 4 star, half board
• Piolets Park & Spa - 4 star, half board
• Soldeu Maistre - 3 star, half board
• Soldeu Maistre - 3 star, half board
• Soldeu Maistre - 3 star, half board
• Soldeu-maistre Hotel - 3 star, half board
• Sport - 4 star, half board
• Sport - 4 star, half board
• Sport - 4 star, half board
• Sport Hermitage - 5 star, half board
• Sport Hotel - 4 star, half board
• Sport Hotel Hermitage - 5 star, half board
• Sport Hotel Village - 4 star, half board
• Sport Village - 4 star, half board
• Sport Village - 4 star, half board
• Sport Village - 4 star, half board
• Sporthotel - 4 star, half board
• Sporthotel Hermitage - 5 star, half board
• Sporthotel Village - 4 star, half board
• Vall Ski - 3 star, half board

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