|
|
Here are some
photos from our 2005 Skiing holiday to Andorra.
We
spent a week in Andorra at the end of January and had some great skiing
and weather.
|
|
|
|
More
details are shown below, any questions or comments
let me know, thanks
Rob and Sharon
The
group shot below, from left to right Adam, Jo, Jon, Sharon, Rob and Jim
|
|
The building on
the right is the Piolets where we stayed the previous year.
|
|
View
down the valley from the hotel room. We stayed at the Sports Village,
a truely excellent hotel with fantastic food.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The photo above
was the view from the hotel room again looking straight up the mountain,
above the gondola.
To the upper right
you will see Sharon on the day of the race (Friday) on the left was
the Saturday when we were enjoying great weather
On the right there
is Jon about to hit the slopes, no that's not his snowmobile behind
him.
We had some great
weather in the week we were all there, with many of these photos being
taken on the Friday and Saturday and the slopes were quite quiet and
the weather great.
Click on the photos
to view larger versions.
|
|
|
Jo
relaxing first thing in the morning (before she's done any skiing !!)
|
Doing
their best to look cool, here is Adam and Sharon.
|
Consulting
the menu on our last day, there is Jon, Jo and Jim.
|
2005 saw us
return to Andorra for the second year, a small group of 6 of us descended on
the country, nestled between France and Spain, for a weeks skiing and boarding.
Tour operator -Crystals
Hotel - Sport Village, Soldeu
Week - 30/1/2005 to 6/2/2005
The Journey (transfers)
- Accommodation - Restaurants and Bars
- Ski School - Snow conditions - Safety
- Shops - Tips
The Journey
We flew into Toulouse and then caught
the coach to the resort. Transfer from the airport was much the same as the
previous year taking about 4 hours, with the mid way comfort stop at a roadside
café to grab something to eat and visit to the local conveniences. We
were apparently quite fortunate as the coach on the way from Andorra that morning
had had to go via Spain due to the road being closed following heavy snow. The
road only being reopened at lunch time.
Accommodation
This time we would be staying at
the Sport Village in the centre of Soldeu. With a couple of friends staying
in the Sport Hotel. The hotel was excellent, (even if parts of the roof was
leaking due to snow melt blocking the run off). Breakfasts and evening meals
were included in the package and proved to be a very good buffet selection.
This had been a concern to the group as we had one vegetarian, one celiac and
one lactose intolerant (not bad out of 6 people) Despite this none of us had
any problems with any of the meals.
The Sport Village is going through
some building work at present that should see a new wing being opened in late
2005 /2006 including we think a spa and leisure facilities.
Shops
Something we weren't aware of was
that apparently being guests at the sport village or sport hotel entitles you
to a discount in some of the skiing shops in Soldeu. Worth considering as the
shops carry a good selection and it is a tax haven.
Ski school
As before the ski school was excellent,
this year we had one total newbie skier and newbie boarder (Jo and Adam) both
of whom enjoyed themselves. On the Wednesday or Thursday they video you and
offer the opportunity for you to buy a compilation of clicks from your group
either on DVD or video which is a nice touch (if the DVD
works, grumble, grumble....Rob's doesn't play) These are shown in
a couple of the bars.
Snow Conditions
Apparently the weather for the few
weeks before hadn't been too good, until the Tuesday before we arrived when
it started snowing heavily and continued for the next few days, so we arrived
to nearly a foot of fresh snow on the lower slopes and more higher up. This
proved great and much better than the previous year. Mid week there was a little
more, which kept the slopes topped up, this was combine this with great weather
(see pictures).
Also with the work they have done
on linking the slopes and resorts it's worth upgrading the ski pass, there is
something like 190+ km of runs now and they are all linked. A couple of the
group made use of this and said it was well worth the money.
Restaurants
and Bars
We made the discovery that, the
restaurant just below the gondola, was an excellent place to eat at lunch times,
serving good food at reasonable prices. The photos show us relaxing on the Saturday
afternoon. There aren't many places on the mountain where you can grab food
and then it tends to be fast junk food, fries and the like.
There are a couple of bars in the
evening, which we found, the polar bear and the iceberg for two.
Tips
- Go on the Skidoo circuit especially
if the weather is good i.e. there's been a good fall of snow before hand.
We had a great time this year as we were able to go out and about a bit more
thanks to the fresh snow.
- Upgrade your ski pass to the full
Grand Valira pass, but do this before you activate it.
- Check DVD works, grumble, grumble
.... Rob
- check out these website
This site supports
A discussion forum for snow lovers.
Any questions or comments let me
know, thanks Rob and Sharon
Return
to Daggers homepage
Last updated:Wednesday,
August 31, 2005
