Since they joined forces, the Grandvalira super-ski area has linked the resorts of Soldeu and Pas de la Casa with over 200km of slopes! This impressive lift system has state-of-the-art gondolas and fast chairs, which really do allow you to get some piste-miles under your belt. After a day on the slopes, try some tapas and discover the Catalan influences in the food, drink and lively après-ski. Soldeu is a traditional stone-clad village with excellent access to the extensive ski area by gondolas from Soldeu and neighbouring El Tarter, which are connected by road with a regular bus service. The excellent ski school’s links with the British Association of Ski Instructors ensures most of the staff speak English - ideal for families and friends making their first contact with the snow. Intermediates have an excellent selection of blue and red runs to choose from. Advanced skiers and boarders will be pleasantly surprised by the off-piste opportunities. Snowboarding in Soldeu has vastly improved in recent times with a halfpipe, jumps, and snowboarding park with a sound system.
El Tarter
The ski village of El Tarter provides a peaceful gateway to an impressive network of slopes, with a quick direct link via a 10-seat cable car to the big Soldeu-El Tarter trail network. There’s a nice easy blue run back down towards El Tarter village again. Another blue takes skiers and riders towards Soldeu from where they can go onwards and upwards to the highest point in this sector: the summit of Tossal de la Llosada, at 2,560m (8,400ft). El Tarter suits almost everyone. It may look like a smallish dot on the map but it punches way above its weight, with everything from some excellent power skiing in the huge bowl above Riba Scorxada, and comfortable beginner and lower intermediate slopes at the Espiolets Plateau gateway which it shares with Soldeu, just two miles away. The plateau proves a busy, bustling meeting point for the ski school, along with cafes and restaurants.