 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi
We're cutting costs this year by using hotel points to stay at the Crowne Plaza in Andorra La Vella at Feb half term. From there its 15 mins drive to either Encamp or La Massana to access either Grandvalira or Vallnord.
Any views on which would be best? We are a family of 4, 2 Adv Intermediates (Reds/Easy Blacks) and 2 Intermediates (Blues/Easy Reds). Would prefer to be away from crowds if possible.
Cheers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Is that really the definition of advanced intermediate? At last I am an expert.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
alecj, welcome to Snowheads... where everyone is an expert in something, and the discussion over what constitutes an "intermediate" skier can fill several years of boredom.
Grandvalira is much bigger, but from Encamp it is a long cable car ride (6km) to the linked area, so you may spend a lot of time in the immediate vicinity, which is a bit smaller - see http://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Andorra/Encamp.html for details. Encamp is also better than La Massana for beginners, according to that site. Having the option of travelling out to Pas de la Casa would be enough to swing it for me, but check the routes before committing to them if your less experienced members wouldn't be happy on the reds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Grandvalira - Pas De La Casa across to Encamp
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Thank ousekjarr, just trying to say we don't need a nursery slope or challenging blacks. So both seem to fit the bill.
Any views on which might have short(er) queues at Feb half term? A search of the forum seems to suggest Pas de la Casa and Soldeu may be v busy but not much on the Vallnord resorts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
..and Smokin Joe, Grandvalira looks favourite then.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Did both resorts 3 years ago, learned to ski in Vallnord and by the end of the week had done most of the mountain.
Its a great place to learn but very limited in size.
Grandvalira is much bigger is size and in my opinion much more fun.
I couldnt imagine going back to Vallnord now I can actually ski - I would have thought after a day or two I'd be pretty fed up.
Even Mrs Monkfish who constantly doubts her ability thinks she has outgrown Vallnord!
FWIW we ski blues, reds and those blacks that should really be red and look easy when you see them from chairlifts!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No choice - Grandvalira! I've skied both and as already said before there is so much more to choose from in Grandvalira.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
alecj, For the main portion of the week, ski up in Grandvalira, but the best bet is to drive up to El Tarter and park and ski from there. The Gondola is in the car park and at the end of the day you can ski back down, unlike Encamp (you have to get the gondola down and isn't that exciting). El Tarter is only about 20 mins away from La Vella and is also a good access point for the whole of the grandvalira area.
On the Vallnord side forget about Arinsal(where I work) and Pal, but instead drive to Ordino-Arcalis. It will take about 35mins eachway, but is considered the hidden gem of Andorra and well worth the trip for a day.
Feb half term is busy enough, but nowhere near like alps busy, maybe 5 -7 minutes wait at the most!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@freestyleandy, Thank you for the advice concerning Ordíno-Arcalis. I’ll have to check it out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Arcalis is now included on the Grandvalira pass I believe and not the Pal-Arinsal as it once was. It has the best skiing but is fairly small.
Both Areas have nice intermediate skiing, Grandvalira is a lot more extensive but why not try everywhere out if you are staying in the middle of it all? Your hotel will have a shuttle to both I'd imagine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
Feb half term is usually Shrove Tuesday, so can be busier Sat-Tue then quiet after. El Tarter TR in my signature.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don’t forget mobiles are not EU so horribly expensive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| Ken in LA wrote: |
| @freestyleandy, Thank you for the advice concerning Ordíno-Arcalis. I’ll have to check it out. |
That is a classic SnowHeads 11yr thread bump!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
@BobinCH, yup - and frightening to be reminded that I've been posting on here since before my son could walk, and now he skis better/faster than me...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| alasdair.graham@hotmail.c wrote: |
Arcalis is now included on the Grandvalira pass I believe and not the Pal-Arinsal as it once was. It has the best skiing but is fairly small.
Both Areas have nice intermediate skiing, Grandvalira is a lot more extensive but why not try everywhere out if you are staying in the middle of it all? Your hotel will have a shuttle to both I'd imagine. |
Included in both Grandvalira and Vallnord passes (at an extra fee)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
