Grandvalira has closed the Christmas holiday period with some impressive visitor numbers. Between 24 December 2013 and 6 January 2014, 238,000 skiers passed through the Andorran resort. This figure is a 9% increase compared to last Christmas. Furthermore, on 29 December, the record number of visitors in the history of the resort was set with a total of 26,430 skiers.
In spite of this massive turnout of winter sport fans, the resort did not suffer any excessive overcrowding. In fact, the largest resort in Southern Europe opened almost 100% of its skiable surface area, with 110 pistes and a total of 200 kilometers available.
Similarly, the substantial investments made in infrastructures over recent years has guaranteed the excellent mobility of the users, thanks to ski lifts capable of transporting more than 100,000 skiers per hour. This, along with the large investment made in catering, has allowed the level of customer satisfaction of Grandvalira customers to remain at 8 out of 10 according to the latest study carried out by the market research company Hamilton.
The visitors to the resort over the Christmas period have mostly come from the Spanish market (especially Catalonia, Madrid and Valencia), and also from France and Russia. The last two, as well as the United Kingdom, have experienced a slight increase, which attests to the internationalization of the territory.
The excellent snow conditions have been another of the factors that have encouraged skiers to stay at Grandvalira over the holidays. The quality and quantity of the accumulated snow has gradually improved with the snowfall over the last few days, and has left snow depths of up to 170 centimeters in many parts of the resort.
The Christmas holidays and the start of the 2013-2014 season in general have highlighted the consolidation of the après-ski on offer at Grandvalira, with numerous concerts and performances on the terraces of bars such as the Gall de Bosc or the Cala Bassa beach Club, as well as the l'Arbaset festivities, with attendances in excess of 1,000 people and the presence of artists of the likes of Miqui Puig. Furthermore, the range of activities for families and children has been equally as varied, with entertainment on the children's routes and events such as the arrival of the Three Wise Men and the traditional descent of the torches.
Red Bull Home Run
Now that the Christmas holidays are over, Grandvalira still continues to operate at full capacity with numerous activities scheduled for the coming weekend. Without a doubt, the most important is the Red Bull Home Run, which takes place on Saturday 11 at Pas de la Casa just after the pistes close.
This is a friendly race in which a fun and good atmosphere are guaranteed. The participants must run downhill through the snow to where they have left their skis or snowboard. It not just who is the fastest, as the judges will also be scoring the competitors' fancy dress. Once the Red Bull Home Run is over, there will be a party waiting for the participants at the finishing line.
As for other options over the coming day, all the Grandvalira facilities and services will be fully operational. From the range of après-ski options, the following are recommended:
Thursday 9 January
L'Abarset (El Tarter sector)
Beer festival
2x1 on beers between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and €1.50 after 6 p.m.
Live music by DJ Simply J from 4 p.m.
Friday 10 January
Terrassa Nordic - Lounge Gall de Bosc (Soldeu sector)
From 11:30 a.m. - Andorra Sound Project
From 1:30 p.m. - DJ Simply J
L'Abarset (El Tarter sector)
From 4 p.m. - Andorra Sound Project
From 6 p.m. - DJ Simply J
Saturday 11 January
Terrassa Nordic - Lounge Gall de Bosc (Soldeu sector)
From 11:30 a.m. - Andorra Sound Project
From 1:30 p.m. - "Fábrica de Almas" live band
L'Abarset (El Tarter sector)
From 4 p.m. - Andorra Sound Project
From 6 p.m. - Dj Xavi Ravarte
There is a complete range of gastronomic options at l'Arrosseria on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a buffet replete with oysters and other delicatessen products. Finally, on Fridays and Saturdays, the 3 Estanys evening restaurant in Grau Roig offers succulent menus, as well as a chill-out area with a wide selection of spirits, all accompanied with complementary activities such as snowmobiles, mushing or snow shoes.
Forecast for the weekend 11 and 12 January
Skiable kilometers 201 km
Pistes: 111
Snow depth: 90-170 centimeters
Ski lifts: 100%