Overall:
4.0.
Based on
39
votes
and
33
reviews.
Vote
Access: 3.2
(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Grandvalira-Soldeu.
Public Transport: 3.7
(1) There are no buses or taxis to Grandvalira-Soldeu, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
Scenery: 4.1
(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.
Accommodation: 4.4
(1) No places to stay in/near Grandvalira-Soldeu, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
Cheap Rooms: 3.8
(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.
Luxury Hotels: 4.3
(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Grandvalira-Soldeu.
Ski in/Ski out: 4.2
(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.
Childcare: 3.8
(1) There are no child care facilities at Grandvalira-Soldeu, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
Snowsure: 4.1
(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Grandvalira-Soldeu is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.
Snowmaking: 4.4
(1) Grandvalira-Soldeu relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
Snow Grooming: 4.6
(1) There are no snow groomers at Grandvalira-Soldeu, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Grandvalira-Soldeu are groomed daily.
Shelter: 4.1
(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Grandvalira-Soldeu is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
Nearby options: 3.6
(1) If snow conditions are poor at Grandvalira-Soldeu, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.
Regional rating: 4.2
(1) Grandvalira-Soldeu usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
Lift Staff: 4.2
(1) The staff at Grandvalira-Soldeu are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Grandvalira-Soldeu are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.
Crowds/Queues: 3.8
(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
Ski Schools: 4.8
(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.
Hire and Repairs: 4.7
(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
Variety of pistes: 4.5
(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Grandvalira-Soldeu has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.
Beginners: 4.6
(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
Intermediates: 4.8
(1) No intermediate terrain at Grandvalira-Soldeu, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.
Advanced: 4.3
(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
Snow Park: 4.5
(1) Not even a kicker at Grandvalira-Soldeu, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.
Off-piste: 3.7
(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
Cross-country: 3.2
(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Grandvalira-Soldeu, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.
Luge/Toboggan: 2.2
(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Grandvalira-Soldeu has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
Mountain Dining: 4.0
(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.
Eating: 4.0
(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
Apres-Ski: 4.2
(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.
Other Sports: 3.3
(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
Entertainment: 3.4
(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.
Winter Walks: 3.4
(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
Ski Pass Value: 4.0
(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.
Value (National): 4.1
(1) Overall, Grandvalira-Soldeu is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
Value (Global): 4.3
(1) Overall, Grandvalira-Soldeu is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.
Soldeu was the location for our first ever Ski Holiday. We stayed at the brand new EuroSki hotel which has very nice rooms and good facilities including a pool and Jacuzzi etc.
Soldeu is an excellent choice for beginners as the gentle green runs are perfect for finding your feet before moving on to the steeper blues and reds.The ski school has hundreds of english speaking instructors and is very cheap indeed.
The lifts system was very extensive and efficient and the weather was wonderful with lovely sunshine and picture postcard snow. Its not the liveliest of places and is more suited to families and couples.
Eating out is rediculously cheap and enjoyable.
Overall Soldeu is a very enjoyable ski resort, The only limitation may be the lack of challenge for very advanced Skiers.
Steve
having first visited soldeu el tarter last year we have since skied in Colorado and Austria. The ski bug has got our family and we have just booked a great cheap deal in March staying at the Sporthotel in soldeu. Although we know that this is not the liveliest of the resorts it has everything we need. Good cheap restaurants and a few late night bars for our guys who are all in their 20s. Pas de la Casa is of course the best area for apres ski and indeed more challenging skiing so both resorts being accessible on the same pass is a great bonus that we are looking forward to. For anyone considering Andorra its great for confidence boosting and fun for off piste. The lifts are very easy to use and the locals friendly. Go....give it a try...for a cheap ski deal it is ideal also the best place to buy designer goods,ski wear etc at greatly reduced prices compared to the u.k.
I have skied in Soldeu on 3 occasions and each visit is better than the last. The resort is consistantly being improved and the ski school is undoubted the best I have ever come across. If you want to learn to ski or improve your technique there really is no where better.
Certainly the amount of skiing available to advance skiers is more limited that some of the French and Swiss resorts but don't be fooled into thinking that it is all nursery slopes and green runs, anyone who had skied the Cabriolet run will know what I'm talking about!
The resort is great fun with excellant apres ski (try Fat Alberts) and very reasonable restaurants.
My only main gripe with Soldeu is the transfer from either Toulouse or Barcelona, 3.5 hrs is a bit of a pain but then one can't have everything.
I'm heading back and will be there from Jan 9th for a week and I can't wait.
See you on the slopes (or Fat Alberts!)
Regards Ken.
November 17, 2005
Jerry Smithston
from
United Kingdom
A fantastic holiday, and a wonderfull ski resort! We stayed in a magnificent apartment by the Piolets Park Spa Hotel, the apartment i think was called El Clos, we found it on the holiday-rentals.com website. Very easy and simple! Thoroughly recommended, looking forward for the next visit! the resort was out of this world, beats all resorts in France, having been an advandced skier, i have tried them all. 100% reccomended !!!!!
The skiing is well described elsewhere, although there are shallow areas where poling or "skating" are required. Tiring for skiers, a total pain for boarders.
However, I am surprised that everyone rates eating out as "cheap" in Andorra and I wonder if these comments are out of date. It's about the same as the UK, which isn't cheap in my view, although it may be compared to other European ski resorts. On mountain is more expensive and a light cooked lunch can cost as much as an evening meal.
Also, I think the increased publicity and constant building works are making the resort busier. Last year the same week was queue free - this year there were times with longish queues. I think the last five years in Andorra will have been the glory days and that the next five will see it ape the Alps, becoming busy and expensive. Shame because it really is an intermediate paradise otherwise.
I can only compare the ski school with Mammoth USA, but of 3 instructors only 1 we felt was very good, the other 2 being just OK.
February 23, 2006
DAVID CRAYFORD
from
United Kingdom
I have just returned from Andorra and I can say I enjoyed every minute of it. The hotel I stayed in was superb and I will be booking up to go next year. The snow conditions were excellent and the piste was kept in good condition. There is only one bad thing to say about the whole area and that is that I will have to wait a whole year before I go back.
Just returned from another fabulous week in Soldeu.(Sport Hotel) Weather and snow as usual were fantastic. Each year we expect to have less snow than the year before but we get pleasantly surprised every time. Weve been going for ten years and yes the resort is growing but so are the facilities. Ive skied France Austria Italy Switzerland but give me Andorra every time. Great value for money and very friendly. Roll on next year
November 20, 2006
Ryan and Vicky
from
United Kingdom
Me and my partner went to Soldeu in January this year (06), and I can honestly say that this is a truly fantastic resort. We stayed in the Sport Village, and out of all of the hotels I have stayed in all over the world this is certainly as good as the best. The food in the SV is plenty and of a very good standard, the rooms are maintained to an extremely high quality and the general feel of the hotel is very very good. If you are heading to any one of the Sport Hotels, do not and I say again NOT miss the Sport Spa complex as this is an absolute must. Waterfalls, all kind of rooms, everything that you could want. The resort itself is very good, with a great, reliable lift system, a good variety of slopes and a fantastic boarding school. The bars are very good, especially Fat Alberts. Have yourself a brilliant time in a truely fantastic place.
Having been to Soldeu for four years running and approaching my fifth with an ever increasing party size (30 plus),it's a great experience for the beginner, intermediate and advanced skier and boarder. A family and frendly resort for all those wanting to experience skiing / boarding for the first time or the addictive 2nd, 3rd , 4th year etc. Once you have been, you will want to go again!!! You won't get bored you will get addicted!!
Worst thing about holiday is the transfer 3 1/2 hours, having said that it's worth it. Plenty of atmosphere if you want it or just a chill in the hotel bar. We stopped in the Nordic Hotel in El Tarter and took the short ride on the free bus to Soldeu centre where there is numerous bars with happy hours!! Skiing was from our doorstep this is a great feature of the hotel as skis / boards only had to be carried a matter of yards. Look forward more and more each year.
Just returned from our third visit to Andorra and all areas desperately need snow. Runs are icy with patches of grass and rocks coming through - inspired myself and my husband to wear crash hats! Better conditions at Soldeu than Pas de la Casa but may not hold out much longer. The Grand Valira team are working hard to keep the resort open....Lets hope it snows soon!
Crazy frog party x 4
United Kingdom
Ireland