Grandvalira faces its final stretch for the year 2016 with the opening of more than 150 km of skiable slopes, close to 90 tracks and 90% of the installations in operation. The station's 6 sectors are functioning and connected through tracks. One of the major novelties for these Christmas holidays is the beginning of the nighttime ski season that will take place tomorrow and also on Saturday at the Pas de la Casa sector with the Tubs track and the Solana chairlift at the skiers’ disposal who wish to lengthen the day till 8:00 p.m.
The smaller skiers will be able to enjoy while learning to ski in any of the station's circuits for children: The Mon(t) Magic (Canillo), the Imaginarium (Grau Roig) circuit and the Bababoom Circus (El Tarter) circuit. Meanwhile, the rest of the family can begin the world of skiing or snow or improve their techniques in any of the Ski and Snowboard Schools that are spread across the territory.
As an addition to a day of skiing, the most gourmet families will be able to taste the best Andorran dishes in any of the à la carte restaurants within the territory. At Grandvalira, it’s possible to see many establishments with their own personality, with amazing views and a great gastronomic offer where you can regain forces.
Another good news is the refurbishment of the Isards mountain circuit from the Pas de la Casa sector, an itinerary enabled this 2016-17 season and that is already functioning for mountain skiers. The Pessons i Pic Blanc circuits (Grau Roig sector) are also prepared and marked. For all those who initiate, want to perfect their technique, want to submit to a specific training plan or prefer to be accompanied by a high mountain-entitled tour guide, the Ski and Snowboard School from the Grau Roig sector has Grandvalira Mountain Tour Guides, a service that guarantees the safest and most attractive experience for a certain disciplined type of skiers that has more and more followers each day.
On the other hand, the Soldeu sector offers the ride known as the Groomer Ride. It is a night safari with snow-groomer machines that run through the most hidden corners of the station and that allows the unforgettable experience of accompanying drivers during their work day and watching how the sun or the moon rises between the mountains of the station.
For those who wish to complement their skiing day or for those that want to have contact with the snow without skis, Grandvalira offers a wide range of adventure activities during these days at the Grandvalira Mountain Park (Grau Roig sector) and at the Outdoor Center (El Tarter sector) such as snowmobiles, sleds pulled by dogs, construction of igloos, excursions with snow rackets and paragliding, among others. Also in the Canillo sector, one of the Pyrenees’ longest zip lines is functioning.
One year ago and as of today, the Igloo Hotel opened their doors, a single building in south Europe and built entirely with snow that has started the season with the refurbishment of two rooms in the hopes of new snowfalls to expand their space and attract more clients. The Igloo Hotel terrace and its two hot domes are already available for the customers with its gastronomic offer of oysters and smoked foods, among other Premium products.
In the gastronomical world, the biggest station in southern Europe has released during these days the Food Ratrack Hard Rock Cafe which is located in the Grau Roig sector during these festivals, specifically for the arrival of the Riberal track and the crossing with the Pala Nova track. Also as of tomorrow, the Nomad Gourmet Food Ratrack will be functioning, that will be located in the Tosa d'Espiolets (sector El Tarter) as of 11:00 a.m. on January 1st. Sponsored by one of the most acclaimed Premium champagne brands, Veuve Clicquot, the most demanding and fearless foddies will be delighted with a selection of Joselito Iberian products, Txogitxu meats and Carpier smoked foods without removing the skis.
In parallel, Grandvalira has activated a new musical program today in one of its most exclusive terraces. This is the case for the Amélie Experience at the Llac Pessons restaurant from the Grau Roig sector. The experience consists of an exclusive bar which others from the highest quality are served from the French firm Huîtres Amélie while enjoying live music. Likewise, the Clicquot Snow Club Grandvalira, one of the chic spaces par excellence in the territory, offers a gastronomic experience in which visitors can enjoy a snack and a lunch with the best top range products with a Veuve Clicquot champagne pairing.
Al Abarset, epicenter of the après-ski, has also reached the Veuve Clicquot French house with a new and very exclusive VIP area with a capacity for 30 people and accessible with prior reservation. In addition, lovers of good music will have one more year in the Abarset, a special Christmas programming full of renowned DJs such as the Miqui Puig DJ on January 7th.
The Christmas calendar
The Domain of Snow will be presenting one of the most extensive programs of special activities in the Pyrenees, especially designed to ensure that everybody enjoys their stay at southern Europe's largest ski resort.
The following activities have already been confirmed:
30 December: Dreams on Ice – Ice skaters from Andorra Club Gel will be playing a series of the best-loved characters from popular entertainment in an ice and music extravaganza for all the family. Price: €6. Children under 3 - free. Tickets on sale at the Palau de Gel ticket office, Canillo.
31 December: At 4 pm, San Silvestre Skimo & Run in Grau Roig. Ascent with snow shoes, alpine skis or on foot to the Igloo Hotel
31 December: At 6:30 pm, torchlit descent from Pla d’Espiolets, Soldeu to Soldeu village.
3 January At 6:30 pm, beacon descent from Grandvalira-Soldeu Ski and Snowboard School to Soldeu village.
4 January Dreams on Ice – Ice skaters from Andorra Club Gel will be playing a series of the best-loved characters from popular entertainment in an ice and music extravaganza for all the family. Price: €6. Children under 3 - free. Tickets on sale at the Palau de Gel ticket office, Canillo.
5 January At 6 pm, torchlit descent with the arrival of the Three Kings by snowcat in the Pas de la Casa sector.
More freestyle space
One of the distinctive features of the extremes modalities of skiing and snowboarding is the tour that offers Grandvalira's 3 snow parks. During the day, the El Tarter Snow Park has a wide drawer Rainbow starting line, dance floor, tin and small kicker in addition to a medium-level line with a round straight pipe, gun tube, lowering-gun pipe and pull-jump tube with double shift and 3 more modules at the top of the park. On the other hand, the Xavi Park has a beginner line, a 6-rail line for experts and a kickers line for experts and professionals. All freestylers who want to continue enjoying this mode can do so from Tuesday to Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Sunset Park Peretol that has extended an entire beginner line, 5 lines with 3 modules per line, a kicker, a tin and a 12-meter bin.
PHOTOS SHOWING STATE OF TRACKS
