Is Soldeu worth a visit?

Hi
Am planning next seasons first trip; around end of Jan, have been looking at Soldeu. Fair amount of terrain and reportedly good ski schools.
Would any one here recommend?
All hints/tips gratefully received.
Thanks
FB

PS ; am intermediate level with approx 6/7 weeks on snow under the belt

We went at half term 2 years ago to El Tarter which is just up the road from Soldeu (not as much Apres as it's a small village) however they are part of the Grand Valira ski area and are just a few minutes skiing apart.

Pas De La Casa didn't look too inspiring to stay in - we popped up there to do some shopping.

There is pleanty of skiing unless you want advanced off-piste stuff. Contrary to popular myth there were negligable queues (considerably fewer than in the Portes Du Soleil the year before). They have a lot of snow guns and make use of them so a lot of the slopes are kept open even in poor snow years.

My challenge was to learn to few word of the local language which failed miserably as most of the hotel and mountain workers were Argentinian students who were working their vacations. They spoke Spanish & English fluently but no Catalan.

The on mountain cafes were not great but we found that skiing down to the bottom in El Tarter took us to hotels with terrace cafes that backed onto the piste for lunch.

I'm sure I'll go back at some point (nearly went this year for a boys weekend but no flights available). My wife would like to ski it - she spent that week in the hotel gym rehabing her knee after her cruciate repair (the year before) & my eldest missed half the week with tonsillitis!

I have been to Andorra 3 times. Soldeu was fabulous, I love it and would highly recommend it. Late Jan will be fine for snow and wherever you are in Soldeu it is easy access to the gondola. There is plenty of skiing to be done for all abilities (although I wouldn't recommend it to thrill seeking experts). I never had a problem with lift queues!

Apres ski is whatever you want it to be and food and drink is good value, as Andorra is a tax haven.

The locals are very friendly and accommodating. From what I have heard the ski schools are are good.

I agree with the rest of the guy's...... worth a visit 8)

I was told thats its the best bplace for beginner

Grandvalira:

47 Black Runs
85 Red Runs
89 Blue Runs
65 Green Runs

:D

I went for a short break pre Xmas 2009 and would go back to Andorra, but only to Soldeu as a place to stay.
Yes, its worth a visit definitely.
I wrote a piece for this website which you might be able to find if you search Andorra forum.

Hi,

I went in January. The skiing was good. I'm not sure I would go again though. I found it very difficult to eat well. Restaurants in villages were uninspiring. Restaurants on the pistes varied from average to awful. People still smoke in restaurants and bars which may bother some. Some people also smoke on the chair lifts ...

Being a duty free place, a lot of the shops sell tobacco, drink and perfume. Good deals to be had, but these shops seem to govern the feel of the place; there's not much else but these shops. The place has little charm or allure.

If all you're interested in is the skiing, then I would recommend the place.