If you are looking for a cheap, no-frills ski holiday that still offers great skiing in a lively resort then Grandvalira-Pas de la Casa may be the one for you. Part of the linked ski network that includes; Grandvalira-Encamp, Grandvalira-Canillo, Grandvalira-El Tarter, Grandvalira-Soldeu and Grandvalira-Grau Roig,Grandvalira-Pas de la Casa offers over 100 km of pistes. Porte des Neiges, in France will also join the Grandvalira resorts. Grandvalira-Pas de la Casa resort has a well balanced mix of gradients that should keep most happy. The modern network of 30 lifts only really struggles during the busiest holiday periods when local skiers flock to the slopes. Off the slopes the town is lively. Accommodation is, predominantly, in apartment blocks at Grandvalira-Pas de la Casa but a host of duty-free supermarkets and bar/restaurants help to keep the cost pegged. However, the eating could not be described as haute-cuisine, nor the nightlife sophisticated, but it doesn't pretend to be!
The ski school is terrible. We booked my daughter for the 'snow garden' which they describe on their website as 'a gentle and enjoyable introduction to skiing and the snow, with activities and games designed especially for young children. There were no activities or games. The poor children sat on a bench from 9.30-10.30 doing absolutely nothing. When they went on the slopes (10.30-12.15), there were 11 children (aged under 5) per instructor so they just waited and waited for their turn. They basically went down about 3 metres once or twice as all their time was spent waiting. I felt so sorry not only for my daughter but all the children who just had to spend all morning waiting with nothing to do.
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