The best runs in Andorra’s Grandvalira ski area

Rossinyol (El Forn): This run was featured in the Mail Online ski section as one of the best blue runs in Europe. At 7km long, the descent through the trees has plenty of twists and turns with some steeper sections and some flattering, less steep areas to really let your skis run and carve those turns.

Rather than taking the Portella chair lift straight back up, take the Junior chair lift up to an excellent mountain restaurant with an enormous sun terrace. The views are definitely worth it.

Esquirol (El Tarter): This run is a great confidence builder and has loads of small jumps at the side of the piste left by the snow cannons. It’s the home run taking you to El Tarter, so before heading back up the gondola, stop in at the Hotel Del Clos snack bar for a quick refreshment on the gorgeous sun terrace.

Tubs (Pas de la Casa - pictured): Another home run that’s easily accessible from the Solana chairlift in Pas de la Casa. This is another confidence builder as you have lots of space to practice linking your turns or get your skis or board carving hard.

An additional bonus is that it passes the fantastic Cala Bassa Beach Club bar. Or if you fancy something a bit less fancy, the bars and restaurants on the side of the pistes like l’Husky and Pas 83 all have terraces where you can ski straight to a table.

Gall de Bosc (Soldeu): Another great piste that snakes its way down through the trees from Espiolets to Soldeu and El Tarter, allowing you to explore both areas with ease.

Montmalus (Grau Roig): Accessible from the Montmalus drag lift, this is a great red that is usually quite quiet. It takes you through some stunning scenery and then back down to Grau Roig. Make sure you go left as you leave the drag lift, otherwise you’ll be off down a steep narrow black!

Moreto (Grau Roig): A surprisingly difficult red which is accessed from the Cubil chairlift in Grau Roig. Nice and wide at the top with some steep pitches, it narrows for the last third and also has a tendency to bump up towards the end of the day. Definitely one to get the leg muscles burning!

Miquel (El Tarter): Get to Miquel from the top of the Llosada chairlift in El Tarter. It has a steep rollover near the top which requires some respect before heading down into the bowl of El Tarter.

Esparver (Soldeu – El Tarter - pictured): From the top of the Espiolets chair, this is a great wide red, perfect for practicing big carving turns. Try the Neilson First Trax session and you, a guide and up to seven others will be the first to make turns on the pristine corduroy piste…

Jordi Angles (Pas de la Casa): This run is lovingly named after a long-standing Pas de la Casa instructor who died climbing K2 in 1995. It’s a testing black that’s accessed from the Font Negre chairlift in Pas. After a path which comes back under the chair, there’s a steep section with some ungroomed areas on the left-hand side as you descend. A real test of skill.

Aliga (El Tarter - pictured): This is the other El Tarter home run for those who haven’t worked their legs hard enough throughout the rest of the day! It’s famously the venue for the woman’s giant slalom World Cup in 2016, so if it’s challenging enough for Lindsey Vonn, it’s challenging enough for us mere mortals!

Avet (Soldeu): This piste has been used for top European races and is earmarked for the World Cup in 2019. It’s steep and narrow at the very top and then there’s a very steep rollover by the Christmas tree towards the bottom. This run is all under the gondola, so any falls will be seen by many.

FIS (Pas de la Casa): Get to this from the Costa Rodona chairlift in Pas. The scene of weekend races for the local ski clubs, it’s usually firm under foot so make sure your edges are and your legs warmed up.

Why not try these out for yourself on an Andorra ski holiday?