Advice Please - Andorra In January

I would really appreciate some advice on Andorra. In January, I will be working in Barcelona and want to get in a ski weekend. First time in Barcelona, so I don't know my way around.

I prefer steep runs, bowls and off-pieste (I know Andorra is more intermediate than expert), and will be traveling solo, and on a tight budget. Can anyone give me advice on the following:

1)What is the easiest/cheapest way to get to Androrra? Should I rent a car or take a bus / shuttle?

2)Which ski areas should I be looking at? Which ones should I stay away from?

3)Which hotels or B&Bs would be a good choice for access to these ski areas?

4)Best place to rent skis and boots?

Any other advice would be very welcome, thanks!

Been a while but I have doen Andorra from Barcelona

My advice would be to take the train/bus: we hired cars and got to Pas de la Casa no bother. However epic snow over the week meant we spent 24 hours digging the cars out (and everyone elses that was in our way in the car park). At least with public transport its their problem not yours!

Andorra isnt too steep or deep and if you want off oiste you'll need a guide anyway so I'd contacvt the ski school in either pas or Soldeu (the two ends of the Gran Valira wehich is the main area) and see what they reccomend

As for hire shops - there are dozens and Ive personally never had a bad experience in any of them

Make sure you have a day or two at arcalis. IMO the best ski area in Andorra. There's good off piste here too.

Hey man!

I am local from Barcelona.
The best way to get to Andorra, on a tight budget, is to take a full pack including the trip, such as this one:

http://www.uniski.es/oferta-andorra-fines-semana-andorra-autocar-esqui-vallnord-1014.aspx

(I'm afraid there's no english translation, hope you're good in spanish by now)

If you are traveling solo, I wouldn't advice you to rent a car (there's no train to Andorra). It's a 3-4h ride from Barcelona, providing you already know how to get there.

Once in Andorra, there are lots of cheap hotels for skiers. Most have special offers that can be found at specialised travel agencies (such as www.uniski.es or www.esquiades.com/en/). If you consider my first advice, full pack really means it. Even the hiring of ski/snow material. In any case, there are lots of rental stores arround the resorts.

There are 2 ski resorts in Andorra: Grandvalira and Vallnord. I personally prefer Grandvalira (Soldeu sector), but I agree that Ordino-Arcalis at Vallnord is great too!

If you like steep slopes, Take a look at "Antenes" at the Ski Ninja Youtube channel for a better taste! (you could try the other videos as well... :-D)

http://youtu.be/NjWjkH0rIqE

Hope you could use some of this info!
See you soon!

Thanks for all of the help! Since I really want to ski Grandvalira, I think that I will make my way to Soldeu and possibly stay at the Hotel Roc de Sant Miquel - it looks like a good place at a good price and they have openings next weekend.

To get there and back to Barcelona, it looks like the Novatel bus would get me to Andorra la Vella, then a taxi to Soldeu?

Any thoughts on this plan? (and by the way, my Spanish skills are very dependant on Google Translate!)

Now that I've seen the youtube video I am so ready.

Thanks again!

It seems to me that Novatel departs only from the airport terminals, not from the city. Maybe it is not the best option... this other guys [ http://www.andorradirectbus.es/ ] offers service from Sants railway station too, so if you are already in Barcelona, its a better choice.

Hope you enjoy your ski trip!
Be Ninja, my friend!

This is another video from GrandValira:
http://youtu.be/x3A6mut8NQ0

Hi, I am in Andorra at the moment and been skiing Grand V on most days since New Year. The weather is fantastic but the snow is getting a bit thin.. Some is forecast this weekend and the temperatures are dropping so they will be able to use the snow machines again. Even so the main pistes are fine, especially in Grau Roig and P L Casa. Slopes are quiet now the holiday crowds have gone and have not yet had to que at a lift once....

Regarding getting to the resort, Novatel will take you to your hotel wherever it is - it just cost a bit extra. Dont know about Directbus. In any case dont get a taxi - there are regular buses from andorra town and only cost a few Euros. Hope you enjoy it.

Well I made it to Andorra last night via Novatel bus from Barcelona, stayed at Roc St Miquel in Soldeu and had a nice sunny day to explore Grandvalira. I just wanted to thank you all for the advice!

Too bad there is not more snow so that the off-pieste would be an option, but a beautiful sunny day with no crowds is not all bad!

If any of you are visiting the States and need some advice about Utah (my favorite) or Colorado skiing, give me a PM.