Sitting high in the mighty snow-capped Pyrénées, the resort ofEl Tarteris located in the heart of Andorra’s biggest and best ski area, there’s plenty to keep skiers and boarders of all levels happy, whether you’re setting off on your first ski holiday or you’ve been hitting the slopes for years.
The resorts themselves would suit Goldilocks perfectly – not too big, not too small, just right! There’s lively après-ski to be had if you’re that way inclined,but you don't getthe crowds you’d find in a large party resort. These two lesser-known villages, just a couple of miles apart, suit everyone from young families to groups with their laid-back vibe and budget-friendly prices.
Here are a few more reasons to visit this Andorran beauty.
El Tarter is right on the slopes of the huge Grandvalira ski area. That’s easy access to 210km of gorgeous tree-lined runs stretching all the way to Pas de la Casa. You can explore the entire area with one excellent value lift pass, with high-speed lifts linking everything up beautifully.
Grandvalira’s 114 runs are as high as they are plentiful, offering loads of skiing and boarding above 2,000m. The runs are varied with wide, gentle greens and blues where beginners can grow in confidence, right up to black runs and Grau Roig’s incredible snow park. That said, the majority of Grandvalira is an intermediate’s dream with sweeping pistes to rival the most popular alpine resorts.
El Tarter is renowned for being home to one of the best native English-speaking schools in the whole of Europe. Their top-class instructors have all the expertise to make learning to ski or snowboard a fun and exhilarating experience. Watch your skills and confidence soar as you progress over the course of your holiday.
Novice skiers and riders will love the dedicated beginner’s areawhere you can practice in peace without having experts fly past you at 50mph!
What’s more, parents staying in a Mountain Collection hotel, chalet hotel or ski chalet in El Tarter can book in to our excellent Neilson-run kids' clubs based at the Neilson Hotel del Clos in El Tarter. We look after your snow babiesfrom four months old right up to your pre-teens in three separate clubs, and even offer evening childcare until 10pm.
The village of El Tarter sit around the 1,700m altitude mark, with the majority of slopes well above that. The highest point is a lofty 2,590m and the area’s average altitude is far higher than many of the better-known European resorts.
Add in a network ofstate-of-the-art snow cannons and a largely North-facing aspect and you’ve got yourself a superb snow record, with the pistes usually in great conditionfrom December right through to April.
There’s nothing like a little healthy rivalry to spur things into action, so you can thank a desire to compete with Andorra’s other top ski area, Vallnord, for the serious investment in Grandvalira’s life network lately. And it looks set to improve even more in the future.
Grandvalira boasts 64 ski lifts ranging from high-speed gondolas and chairlifts to magic carpets on the nursery slopes. Their impressive combined capacity is almost 100,000 skiers per hour.
The ski area may be big here, but El Tarter is nicely compact, making it super easy and convenient to get around the resort. The village is a mix of modern and traditional accommodation.
Not necessarily the most picturesque resort but it has fantastic facilities, some chic upmarket establishments and there’s been huge investment in the local infrastructure in recent years. Everything you need, in short!
The pistes here have some unusual names, which we find way more amusing than the usual number system. Keep an eye out for runs like ‘tubs’and ‘fagina’ if you love an oh-so-mature chuckle.
Andorra’s (almost) tax-free status is famous throughout Europe. And that makes this small country an ideal destination for anyone looking to ski on a budget – or treat themselves to the kind of luxury that would be prohibitively expensive in the ski resorts of the Alps.
So whether you want to book a first-rate hotel or simply enjoy your spending money going further, you’ll find the cost of everything from drinks on the mountain and après-ski in resort, to accommodation and lift passes arepleasantly affordable in El Tarter.
El Tarter may be a relatively small resort, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some well-deserved après-ski drinks after a long day on the slopes.
The atmosphere in El Tarter is chilled out, with just a handful of bars and restaurants. There’s still scope for a boogie in your ski boots at L’Aberset Bar if you want though!
If you can tear yourself away from the temptation of Grandvalira’s pistes or you’re travelling with non-skiers, you’ll find an awesome choice of activities to try.
How does dog sledding through the forests sound? Exploring at a more leisurely pace with a scenic snowshoe walk? Or maybe catching a few thrills at the Grandvalira Mountain Park at Grau Roig, where you can have a go at activities like snowmobiling and snow tubing (that’s sliding down the slopes in a giant rubber ring).
If you prefer something a little more relaxing, treat yourself with a visit to the wonderful five-floor mountain spa at the Sport Wellness Spa. It’s a blissful place to unwind and rejuvenate any aching muscles.
Andorra’s capital, Andorra la Vella, is an easy 30-minute bus ride from Soldeu and El Tarter, making it an ideal day trip destination. Why not mix up your holiday activities with a trip to this historic city, the highest capital in Europe?
Explore the picturesque medieval centre with its narrow winding streets and authentic Andorran restaurants, or hit the city’s 2,000 shops to find bargain low-tax prices on everything from jewellery to electrical goods.
Find your perfect Andorra ski deal and discover the slopes of El Tarter for yourself.
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