Soldeu: Escape to Andorra

Winter is coming. Well technically winter is already here, but sometimes it feels like it hasn’t gotten quite cold enough in the city to be on the lookout for snow flurries. Am I complaining? Definitely not. However, there are some who enjoy snow sports, and that entails being freezing and covered in the fresh powder. And then there are some like me, who just enjoy the cabin and hot cocoa and fireside aspect of a “ski trip”. I’m going to provide a way for both parties to enjoy the incredible Andorra, in a little ski town called Soldeu.

The Resort

From what I’ve heard and researched, Grandvalira is one of the best resorts in Andorra, with great prices, excellent lessons, and a lot of options for activities outside of the slopes. This resort has over 210km of slopes and fresh powder, from bunny to black slopes, there is something for every experience range. The Ski & Mountain Academy offers lessons for adults and children alike, and there are 3 different snow parks and a freestyle academy that opens at night to choose from. There are more than 40 different options for dining and drinking, and a few really amazing terraces with live performers and DJs, making a perfect spot to relax after working hard on the slopes. For those who aren’t into skiing or snowboarding, there are other activities suchas: mushing, snowshoeing, tubing, zip-lining, and more. For those who really just want to relax, maybe try Europe’s largest mountain spa center, Caldea Andorra. There are beauty treatments offered there, indoor and outdoor lagoons, thermal waters, massages, waterfalls, this place literally has everything you could ever need. There are multiple hotels to choose from in Andorra, and the resort website actually provides a great list to look through.

Shopping

There are public buses throughout Andorra, so if you want to get out of little Soldeu for a nice shopping experience, there are buses depart from the main road through the villages of Soldeu & El Tarter, and pick you up on Av. Meritxell in Andorra la Vella to come back. Andorra la Vella is the capital, and there you can find some of the best shops in Europe, above all, duty-free. Many people stock up on novelties such as cigarettes, alcohol, clothes, shoes, perfume, and other treats, however in 2007 there was a sales taxes of 4.5% introduced. It is a minimal tax, and therefore still much cheaper than most places. In case you need to go shopping for groceries, there is a supermarket on the main road called Carretera General.

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How to Get There and Other Tips

Here is a way to get to Soldeu if you cannot catch a ride with friends or rent your own car. Language spoken and written throughout: Catalan. Currency: the Euro. Have cash for the buses! The cost is €3.30 for a one-way trip to the capital from Soldeu and El Tarter, with the main line being L3. There are customs from both the French and Spanish borders of Andorra, so here is a list of what and how much you can bring back into your country. The 2016 Alpine Skiing World Cup will be hosted in February at the resort, so try and book passes now if you’re interested!