Soldeu
Ski Resort

Dominated by the Calbo family who have built many of its hotels and restaurants, Soldeu is the centre of Andorran skiing. It lies at the heart of the country’s largest ski area, Grandvalira, which stretches from Pas de la Casa near the French border via Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter and Canillo, all the way to Encamp in the middle of the country. Since 2018 the Grandvalira lift pass has also covered Ordino-Arcalis, a small but high ski area a bus ride away, but well worth a visit from expert skiers, because it has the best powder snow for off-piste skiing, and is the freeriding and ski touring capital of Andorra.

Most visitors to Soldeu however will have little reason to get on that bus, because they have all the skiing they want on their doorstep.  There are about 75 lifts, 135 runs, 200 km of piste and 3 freestyle parks to choose from in this main part of Grandvalira – more than enough to keep most skiers and boarders busy for at least a week. And to get the most out of such a large area, it’s a definite advantage to stay near the centre of it, which is where Soldeu is.

Grandvalira is not only a large ski area, it’s a high one too, with all the skiing above 1700m and most of it above 2000m. The average height for the ski area as a whole is therefore well above that of most resorts in the Alps or the Pyrenees, and this, plus its general north-facing orientation and plenty of artificial snow-making, means that most of the pistes remain skiable from Christmas through to Easter.

Like all Andorran resorts, Soldeu is a good place to learn to ski with excellent nursery slopes and some easy green slopes to progress onto. The sheer size of the ski area, however, means that intermediate-level skiers will get the most out of it. And whilst advanced skiers will probably want to get on that bus to Ordino-Arcalis, there are some challenges closer to home, such as the steep black piste called Avet, plus several freeride zones and ungroomed ‘Canals’ (the local word for ‘couloirs’).

Soldeu’s apres-ski and nightlife is similarly middle of the road. It’s neither a quiet charming mountain village, nor a lively party-resort like its neighbour Pas de la Casa, but something in between. Parts of it are quite chic and luxurious, with one five-star hotel and several four star ones, but mostly it’s just a series of affordable hotels and apartments, strung out along a road opposite the slopes and lifts, with enough bars, restaurants, ski schools and shops in between them to give skiers and boarders everything they need for an enjoyable winter sports holiday at a reasonable price.

Discounted Ski & Snowboard Rental in Soldeu

Ultimate-Ski partner ALPINRESORTS.com works with several ski hire shops in Soldeu and throughout Andorra and can secure big discounts if you book online in advance here