Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi all,
New to Snowheads so treat me gently! Been skiing once before and (wouldn't u know it) now hooked. Keep looking up snow records, even in August! Went to Les Carroz in Jan 05, brilliant time, brilliant instruction, even managed to get down a red slope by the end.
Anyway, now booked up for March 2006 to go to El Tarter in Andorra, staying at Chalet Xantal. Have done extensive research on Snowheads and elsewhere but can find no mention of this chalet - is it unmentionably bad or something? Has anyone been there? Really looking to find out how near it is to the slopes and what I can expect, particularly since only been once before (with experienced friends in Carroz) and that was independent. This time going with Crystal, seen some mixed reviews about Crystal so will just wait and see but hoping that once we get out on the runs that won't really matter.
I'm going with my girlfriend who is on the same level as me and two friends who've never been before. I picked Soldeu/El Tarter because of good reviews about the ski school there. Have however got worries about snow in March...I know nothing's guaranteed but is early March ok for snow there? Would really appreciate any comfort any of you could offer.
PS I will shamelessly recommend Les Carroz to anyone and everyone...I'm going back myself again in January!
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
march hould be fine, the ski school contracts teachers till late april and there's been skiing in june
i seem to recall that xantal was renamed hence no mention on't t'interweb
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
snowshine, welcome to snowHeads! The chalet Xantal is very close to the lifts at El Tarter. Haven't stayed there, but in a Panorama chalet further up the hill. It's a lovely building right in the centre of the village. I've some photos somewhere - I'll pull them out and mail them to you if you want. PM me your e-mail address.
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Thanx for the info, much appreciated. March next year can't come soon enough...
Anyone any idea what Xantal used to be called before name change?
Also, anyone go to Soldeu/El Tarter season just gone? How was skibus service? Seen a few mixed reviews about it but most of them are of season before or older.
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
snowshine, I think where you are staying is next to the lifts in El-Tarter, so you shouldn't really have any need to use the ski bus. If you want to get to Soldeu, hop on a lift and ski there! It should only take you about 20 mins .
El-Tarter is a very quiet resort, so if you are looking for some evening fun you will need to get a taxi to Soldeu.
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
snowshine, ditto everyone else's comments.
As a learner, you'll love Soldeu/El Tarter, the slopes are nice and wide with plentiful greens/blues, ski school is good, the villages are sensibly laid out, and cheap booze is plentiful. For practical purposes El Tarter is just a outlying dormatory suburb of Soldeu - not much going on in El Tarter except for sleeping. Fairly easy walk from the pubs in Soldeu to El Tarter, during the day you just take the El Tarter lift which feeds directly into the Soldeu pistes.
Ski bus is really only used if you're staying (much) further down the road in, say, Canillo.
Re: March: snow conditions = a mixed bag, depends on the year/resort/existing snowcover. I was sking Soldeu about 4yrs ago at March, effectively as a 2nd weeker. Snow at that time of year was reputedly not so great (a bit sludgy) but I wasn't good enough to really notice. Put it this way: I've since had worse March snow at other Alpine resorts.
As for Crystal....er hem. Yes. Well. "mixed" is about right. If you have a good time with any budget TO, consider yourself very very lucky. If you have a less than good time with a budget TO, consider it normal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowshine, One last point, It's a long transfer to El-tarter so go to the toilet before you leave the airport! The last time I went, about 20 coaches all stopped half way at a tiny run down motorway cafe with about 2 toilets!!! More people just opted to take a leak in the hedge
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowshine, You will have a fantastic time....I learnt to ski in Soldeu in March and snow conditions were just fine...went back several times! It's a few years since we were there but my recollection of the bus service is that it was just fine, regular service, easy to use and it ran well into the evenings for nights out in Soldeu (we were based in Canillo). There's a lovely sports centre down in Canillo with a massive pool that was hardly used when we were there. I will not comment on Crystal....the bad words would offend other !
Paul Holland, Don't know when you went but they've opened a tunnel a couple of years ago which has made the transfer up to resort much shorter.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
|
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.
|
Cathy Coins, pre-booked my lift pass with Crystal, hopefully no problems there. Thanks for the Crystal info, I agree - with any tour operator the best idea is simply to use them to get there, etc, and then ignore the rest and enjoy the resort.
Paul Holland, thanks, I know you're right of course and it helps me to get excited about it earlier by reading all your comments
One last thing - been thinking about going to Caldea spa and doing the dog sledding (personally I'd rather ski the whole time but others in my group are interested). Anyone tried these, are they worth it? I imagine the pay through the nose for both and, if we do try them, will probably do them independently of Crystal anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowshine, Caldea is definitely worth it. We have done it a few times now.
Paul Holland, are you off to Soldeu again this season ? We are booked for 5 February 06 Sport Hotel.
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Caldea - just hop on a local bus and DIY it.
If you go early in the day you can swinm outside with tehsnow capped mountains around you then get back for evening dinner, and youll want a good few hours there, but if you go in an evening when its dark you can ski for the day and there is a light display every (half?) hour within the main pool area.
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Paul Mason, I don't know yet. I have the week before that booked off work with the plan of going where the snow is good. I have a friend who visited Andorra this summer and is itching to visit in the winter, so that may sway my decision...
Am I right in thinking they now have now replaced the 4 man chair with a gondola up from El-Tarter?
snowshine, I can't comment on the Dogs or spa because I spent all my time Ski=ing
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
snowshine, Ive done Andorra 4 times now, the transfer never really gets any better- worse case scenario, 6th March last year there was soooo much snow it took us 9hrs to get to Arinsal, the people in Soldeu and Pas took even longer! So be prepared! I love Andorra, you'll have a great time there!
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
nbt, Michelle, Paul Holland, Manda, homphomp, Cathy Coins, T-Dub, Nadenoodlee, thank you all very much for the info, feel much better about the whole thing now (especially having put down the deposit). If I ever get the opportunity to meet any of you, there's a large drink on me coming your way.
From a beginner's point of view it is rather terrifying knowing that you'll only do one ski trip (in my case, two ) and wondering if there's going to be any snow in March, not previously having known before now that it was possible to ski in March! Yes, that's how naive I am...
As to the transfer times, as long I get there I don't mind too much. 9 hours sounds a bit horrific but hopefully that's worst case scenario
Really looking forward to it all, will let you know how I get on when I get back (some time away of course). If any Snowheads are going to be in Soldeu/El Tarter at the beginning of March let me know.
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
First time we went was Feb 2001, the hotel you mention is about 10 minutes walk to the main ski lift (few queues) and we met a group that stayed their and had no problems - just avoid the Aparthotel further up the hill!
Soldeu/El Tarter is a great fun, under rated ski resort - very friendly. We took our two children their so they could learn to ski - great ski school (I remember a private lesson cost me abou £18 for up to 4 people).
I bought a pair of new skis, ski boots, bindings, poles and all the bags for under 300 euro - well worth the trip. In fact I'd go back again sometime, can't beat the prices once you are there.
I've had a poor experience with Crystal and now find it cheaper to book every thing myself online and never have the hassle we had with Crytsal two years ago.
While in El Tarter, try out the nearby spa town great spa for relaxation mid week. You'll love the 'fairy run' back to the main ski lift - its a green but well worth it for the view.
Still not found anywhere that does a cheaper hot chocolate and brandy mid day special!
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Stayed in Soldeu Feb half-terms of 2003 and 2004 - what a great place, very relaxed, slopes not too crowded considering. Snow very reliable because of huge investment in snow cannon.
Would happily go back there again except currently obliged to ski at either Easter or Christmas and probably not reliable enough cover then.
Paul Mason - Sport Hotel and Sport Hotel Village are the best in Soldeu I think.
Sorry Snowshine, don't know about Xantal.
Crystal coaches stop at ?Ax les Thermes on the way up. We went with them both times (price) but best ignored. Rather irritatingly they insisted on you attending their "Welcome" meeting to pick up pre-purchased lift passes and.......oh no, I'd better not go on as it will only get my blood pressure up. I'm afraid that WYPFIWYG applies (What you pay for is what you get).
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
My very first ski holiday was to Soldeu. I had a fantastic time. The ski school is really good. We took an "afternoon off" and went to the capital (Andorra La Vella) which is worth a visit.
You will absolutely love Andorra, I hope to go back sometime.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nick L is right the sport hotels are great.
we've been twice and booked for next year already
if you get chance try the snow-mobile / skidoos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
snowshine wrote: |
Thanks to all of you for your advice and reports, this forum is the next best thing to being there!
homphomp, will you let us know how you get on after you come back in January? |
hope you have a great time
the ski school is very good
|
|
|
|
|
|
There is one shop you MUST try out, can't remember what it was called, it's about 500 metres outside El Tarter as you go down the hill on the main road - it has an amazing collection of 'stuff' if you are looking for those little prezzies.
One big bit of advice - depending on where you stay - there is a ski locker building at the foot of the main chair lift well worth it if you want to save lugging your skis and boots around to and from the hotel, being Andorra its cheap as chips. You will find it on the right before you climb the stairs up to the lift - looks like an information hut - just follow the main road up to the lift, pass all the shops and its just round the corner on the right - no more than 20 paces from the lift stairs.
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
There is a similar arrangement in Soldeu - the bloke who runs it is so miserable that he is called Marvin (Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy) - I think it is only his nickname but it might be his real name.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Learned to ski in Arinsal in March 2004 - even got a suntan. Went back to Arinsal Jan 2005 to some great skiing as it snowed & snowed & snowed ! We had to return to Toulouse airport via Spain as the roads direct to France were all blocked. Enjoyed the skiing so much that we managed a week in Soldeu in March 2005 staying at Sport Village. Hotel was excellent, skiing was great and the sun shone all week.
Transfer is a bit long but worth it when you get there.
Have booked a week in Soldeu staying in Sport Village in March 2006 - can't wait !
|
|
|
|
|
|
davidg, can't wait either! Are you going in early March or late March? Great to hear you liked it so much you're going back a third time.
highlandrob, any chance you could describe which is the fairy run and where we should take it from? My friends are very keen to do their first "proper" green run (they've never skied before, albeit lessons on the dry slope recently) and I was going to try to work out from the great interactive piste map at www.grandvalira.com which is the fairy run so I can give my friends something to whet their appetites even more.
Watching the webcams carefully, anyone know when it starts to snow there? I know it's a long time until March but...
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Quote: |
I'm so excited I can't even wait until the webcams click back into action. Feeling like a total saddo
|
Eeyore, that's perfectly normal for snowHeads - you're safe with us
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
snowshine wrote: |
homphomp, will you let us know how you get on after you come back in January? |
Certainly will do!!
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Snowshine/Paul Holland – you are both right it is marked as the ‘Gall de Bosc on the piste map. We used it to ski down on the first day after the kids got out of ski school and they loved it. Be careful as you approach the red run junction some of the skiers tend to fly down there with no regard to the bambis on the greens. No idea why it’s been re-classed as a blue – the steepest part is the last 10 yards but it’s so wide you can traverse across the slope effortlessly. By day 2 you’ll be itching to come all the way down from Tosa Espiolets
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
snowshine, Told you not to worry
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Just looked at the webcams - lovely sight ! Hoping to squeeze in a week in January at Soldeu as I cannot wait until March.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ooooh....I've been trying to resist starting the daily webcam routine....but I might just have to take a quick peek!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decided to take a massive gamble and book a week in Pas de la Casa starting on the 12th December. It was an amazing deal so couldn't be resisted. Have been sweating on the amount on snow there will be in Grandvalira ever since! Lovely to see snow on the one working piste cam! But the news gets better, there looks to be a rather large blizzard heading for Andorra this weekend!
Anyone know if you the off piste is ever decent before xmas?
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Hi,
Managed to get some time off work in January so have just booked a week in Sport Hotel in Soldeu on 22 January 2005 with my partner as well as a week at Sport Village on 12 March 2005 so here's hoping there is plenty snow all season! Booked again with First Choice as have had no problems with them in the past and lift tickets etc. sorted on the transfer so saves going to a welcome meeting.
snowshine/homphomp I can be found in Fat Alberts with my Snowheads hat on most nights !
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Mon 14-11-05 14:12; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
davidg watching ELVIS the instuctor sing whilst drinking Hoegaarden - ah happy days.
Do you ever get the feeling Fat Alberts was a barn or similar a few years back and Fat Albert converted it into a pub ?
|
|
|
|
|
|