More information - Soldeu El Tarter - Andorra

The Pyrenées have traditionally been 'off the beaten track' of world skiing along with many of the most famous resorts in New England, The Rockies, the Alps, Dolomites or Japan. The area between France and the semi-autonomous Catalonian region of Spain, with Andorra sandwiched between the two, has seen dramatic investment and expansion of ski areas during the 1990's. There are now nearly a hundred ski resorts dotted around the area and the major centres have invested in snowmaking and new lifts interlinking some areas. Famous for its duty-free environment Andorra attracts a vibrant, youthful international ski scene and competition between the five major ski areas has led to spending on ever-improving lift infrastructure and other state-of-the-art facilities. All five areas are now included on a 'Ski Andorra' pass making it possible to stay in or near the capital, La Vella, and ski a different resort every day. Similarly, with all the ski areas within a short drive of one another, you may easily stay in one and ski in several others during your stay. Largest of all is Soldeu El Tarter which has established a lift link to the country's other big ski area - Pas de la Casa - Grau Roig - together forming one of the largest lift linked areas in the Pyrenées. Soldeu is a typically lively, high value, friendly Andorran resort with a larger than average ski area. The biggest investor in skiing in the Pyrenées during the 1990s, the resort added a new 8 seater gondola for the 1996/97 season and new hotels. Then for 1999-2000 the resort again made a huge investment with three new six seater chairs together with a second eight seater gondola. Soldeu is a modern, dynamic resort set in dramatically picturesque surroundings. First rate for bumps and moguls - Soldeu is a regular venue for freestyle mogul comps. The second base at El Tarter is more traditional and many visitors choose to stay in the town of Canillo, 4km (2 miles) down the valley which has the lion's share of the 'off slope facilities' in the area.