AUDI FIS SKI WORLD CUP FINALS ANDORRA 2019

The principality was the venue for the first European Cup for alpine skiing, which took place from 6 to 9 March 1974 at Pas de la Casa (slalom and giant slalom at Costa Rodona and slalom on the central slope of Grau Roig). The courses played host once again to the same competition the following year. Some years later, for the 1990-91 season Andorra was chosen to host two women’s slaloms (El Mirador, Grau Roig), and since 2003 the country has formed part of the European Cup circuit. The organizational success of all these events meant the principality was entrusted with hosting the first World Cup in 2012 at the Avet slope, Soldeu. Added to this is the fact that, over the course of its skiing history, Andorra has produced 28 Olympic skiers and has been represented at 10 Winter Olympics, starting with Innsbruck in 1976.

Grandvalira’s skiable area traces its origins back to October 2003, when the management of SAETDE and ENSISA (the companies operating Pas de la Casa - Grau Roig and Soldeu - El Tarter) announced a long-awaited merger. These two Andorran resorts laid the foundations of Grandvalira, and since then the skiable area has developed at an impressive rate. Season after season it has grown not only in size, but also in terms of facilities, equipment, quality, services, attractions and possibilities. Today, it is one of the leading resorts in southern Europe and a leader in the creation of new mountain experiences for visitors to enjoy all year round. With a total of 210 skiable kilometres (1,926 hectares), Grandvalira not only boasts the largest skiable area in the Pyrenees (and the Iberian Peninsula), but is also ranked among the 20 best winter sports centres in Europe.

In 2001, two years before the merger that produced Grandvalira, the decision was made to promote top-level alpine ski competitions. The idea arose once Andorra had completed its preparations as a candidate to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Although the initiative did not get past the planning stage, it served to identify which courses were the most suitable for the different FIS disciplines. Investment plans to improve the Avet course were drawn up and in 2006 the country stood for the first time as a candidate to host the World Cup. Although it would not realize this ambition until 2012, from 2008 onwards Soldeu was used as a venue for various technical races that formed part of the European Cup.

Andorra’s successful hosting of European Cups in previous years meant that in 2012, Grandvalira experienced the thrill of a circuit-based winter sports competition at the highest level when it hosted the first FIS Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup. The success of the 2012 competition, in terms of organization as well as the condition of the courses, led Grandvalira to be chosen once again, this time as the venue for two races of the 2016 FIS Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup. The 2016 edition of the World Cup presented a new organizational challenge, given that it was the first time the event had been held on the Àliga course. Grandvalira’s successful hosting of these different editions of the World Cup gave FIS the confidence to award the resort the Finals of the FIS Men’s and Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup 2019. As a result, in 2019 the courses of Avet and Àliga will spend a week under the spotlight as venues for the World Cup.

Location and calendar

• The El Tarter area: Hotel Nòrdic from Wednesday 13 March to Friday 15, from 8:30a.m. to 2:00p.m.

• The Soldeu area: Sport Hotel Village on Saturday 16 March and Sunday 17, from 8:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.