Frequently Asked Questions

Are there ski improvement options other than the standard, 12 persons per group, lesson?

Yes! Perhaps, you’d prefer to ski together with friends or family as a small group of your choosing, rather than be separated when you join the standard, larger ski school group lessons, provided by the Soldeu/El Tarter Ski School. Take a closer look at the small private group options facilitated by Pro Ski Training.

When is F.I.S. World Cup skiing coming to Soldeu?

The F.I.S. World Cup Women’s Giant Slalom (GS) took place on Saturday 11 February 2012 in Soldeu and the Women’s Slalom the following day, Sunday 12 February 2012. Both races were very successful and herald a new era of world cup standard events for the resort. The Avet piste, in Soldeu, is now the second steepest pitch on the entire women’s world cup circuit.

The Aliga ‘Eagle’ Piste in El Tarter has undergone a two year of development project in preparation for the hosting of a Mens F.I.S. World Cup Event in 2016 and the Women also return to the Avet piste during the 2015/16 season.

Why does Andorra have a reputation for only being good enough for beginner skiers?

With the F.I.S. World Cup coming to Soldeu, the very best skiers in the world have raced competitively at the highest level into the village of Soldeu, marking the transformation into a first rate resort for all levels of skier. It is true, Andorra has a deserved reputation for being a excellent place to learn how to ski, however, with a capital investment of €80million for a brand new infrastructure in the past few years, Grandvalira, Andorra has now developed into one of Europe’s premier winter resorts. “Only a place for beginner skiers”, is a dated viewpoint, out of touch with the reality.

Is there enough challenging terrain for advanced skiers in Andorra?

The “Avet” trail, that leads down in to Soldeu village, is one of four F.I.S. World Cup Standard pistes within the domain, as mentioned above, it is the second steepest pitch on the entire world cup circuit. The Grandvalira domain, that includes Soldeu, boasts a total of 12 black pistes and 30 red pistes amongst the 210km of expertly groomed trails. These runs are evenly spread over 7 valleys, giving large areas of superb quality, skiable off-piste.

How much skiing is there in Andorra?

Two hundred kilometres of superbly prepared groomed piste. 10 green, 39 blue, 30 red, 22 black (4 F.I.S. world cup grade), 6 snowparks, with lots of “off-piste” terrain in between, all serviced by a fully integrated modern high speed lift network, capable of lifting over 100,000 people per hour, meaning short liftqueues.

Is Andorra a good location for a group skiing holiday with a large range of skiing ability and experience?

It’s a superb location for groups, with many options. Firstly, Pro Ski Training can facilitate ‘bespoke’ ski weeks to suit most needs from individual tuition to small groups with an expert native English speaking instructor.

Additionally, the Ski School of Soldeu/El Tarter is superb value if you are not too fussy about skiing together as a group whilst in ski lessons. Ideal if you have different levels of experience and/or confidence within your group as it can accommodate all levels. Each individual will be placed with a group of similar ability and confidence, (from nervous beginner to confident advanced level skier). Everyones class will start and end at the same time, so perfect for everyone to meet up again and have lunch together. This setup, almost unique in the skiing world, will minimise everyones potential boredom or nervousness that can develop if there is a wide spilt in ability within the group. Group sizes are up to 12 within the Soldeu/El Tarter Ski School.

Is Andorra a good location for a family ski holiday?

Firstly, the local ski school in Soldeu, has a reputation for being amongst the best in the world. Native English Instructors can look after the children whilst the parents can go off and explore the 210km of piste. All group lessons, begin and end at the same time each day.

For those family members who feel that they have out grown ski school, there is the perfect opportunity to fine tune and develop more advanced ski technique, tactics and confidence with Pro Ski Training for Recreational Skiers.

There is a superb mix of trails within the resort. Often you can take an easy trail and a challenging trail that will from start and end at the same point.

What’s the weather like in Andorra?

“Soldeu” translates as “Sol” = SUN and “Déu” = GOD. With, on average 300 days of sunshine each year, Soldeu regularly basks in beautiful sunshine with crisp, clean air. Over 1000 snow cannons “guarantee” wonderful conditions on piste at almost any time of the ski season, a great combination. Closed Days are rare, crucial when you only have seven days for you annual skiing pilgrimage.

Does Andorra have a good apres ski scene?

Much of the accommodation associated with the winter resorts is to be found at the foot of the slopes. Soldeu, for example, a small farming village 20yrs ago, has developed solely through the ski industry, with hotel accommodation ranging from 2 to 5 stars. So, in winter, everything and everyone appears to be connected or involved in the snowsports industry. It has a very “local” feel, which is warm and welcoming. Every bar is within a couple of minutes walk, and you can come straight off the hill and into a lively bar with live music and free flowing apres ski.

How do I become a certified ski instructor?

It’s difficult to give a short concise answer to this question as there are many different options and routes available. It also depends on your motivation to become a certified ski instructor. Maybe it’s to enable you to enter the industry as a career or simply to fulfill a long standing ambition? Each skiing nation has its own certification body that will train, assess and certificate ski instructors. For more information, take a look at: ski industry certification. Pro Ski Training provides training towards ski instructor certification and helps facilitate ski instructor examinations and courses for several national certification bodies. See: development courses.

Is it expensive in Andorra?

There is only 4% sale tax (VAT equivalent) on goods sold in Andorra so prices are very competitive on all goods ranging from ski equipment and clothing to perfume or alcohol. (see The Times)

Where is the best place to stay for a ski holiday in Andorra?

Soldeu, a centrally located village with lots of sunshine (300 days, on average, each year). It is served by high speed lifts, out of the foot of the village, right into the heart of the resort. There is also a huge amount of high quality of accommodation.

How do I get to Andorra?

The Eastern Pyrenean area is well served with flights into Carcassonne, Pau, Perpignan and Toulouse on the French side and Barcelona, Girona, and Reus from Spain. The bus company NovAtel (Tel: 00376 803789), runs buses several times daily from Toulouse and Barcelona airports. Flights from Ireland and U.K. take about two hours to all these airports and the bus trip takes between two and three hours depending on the airport.