Skiing in Andorra and a shopping question

[BritTex]

As my shitty family decided to make their own arrangements for Christmas abandoning us, , DH, DS and I have said sod it we are going to the snow for Christmas and booked a last minute deal to Soldeu, Andorra.

Is Soldeu, Andorra fun for us with a 5 year old? Staying at the Piolets Hotel (anyone been), at least it half board and I wont have to cook for a week .

Shopping - all the research I have done says that Andorra is the place to shop! would it be a really stupid idea to buy all our ski clothing there?

IMHO yes it would be mad as you want to be SKIING not shopping!!

IMHO yes it would be mad as you want to be SKIING not shopping!!

thanks Crunchie, but,
from a money saving aspect though - thought we could just pop into the local sports shop and get everything we needed much cheaper than here? we are there for 7 nights so not too concerned about missing an hour or two of skiing

Most of the shopping complexes are in Andora la Villa (sp) which is the capital city. It is tax free. the stuff up in the villages isn't that cheap, and there isn't so much by way of choice. Most of the sops in the city seemed to be full of watches and jewelry rather than ski ware. But then I wsn't looking for kit at the tiem

I wouldn't buy on arrival. The shops in resort can be busy as alot of people are buying last minute gloves/skis or whatever is needed. Soldeu will be fine for a five year old. As someone else mentioned, BIG shopping is in Andorra la vella. which is about 20minutes drive from Soldeu. I'm afraid i can't comment on the Piolets Hotel.

I wouldn't risk it personally. You never know whether they've got cheap stuff, or maybe only 'designer' at tax-free prices, which wouldn't then be such a bargain. Also, they might not have what you want in your size.
I would also like to add that if you want perfume, get it in Andorra-la-vella (the capital 15 mins away by bus) because it is a tax-free/duty-free place which specialises in perfumes and booze.

Don't know how you're travelling, but if you're driving from Barcelona, there's a superb cheap supermarket just as you get into Andorra.

You'd almost certainly get cheap adult clothes and accessories there, but I don't think I'd risk it for ds - you would get gloves and hats for him there though.

Soldeu itself has plenty of shops, but with so many designer outlets (somewhere like TK Maxx) and supermarkets doing skiwear, you might be better off getting gear here.

Don't forget to hire or buy a helmet for ds.

Soldeu is brilliant for kids - superb English-speaking ski school - you're not mad, you'll have a lovely time.

Has anybody stayed at the Sport hotel Village in Soldeu?

What are the roads like up to the village? I'm a big baby about driving on snowy mountain roads

Any other thoughts on Soldeu as a resort for a mixed ability family gratefully received.

We spent Christmas in Soldeu and had a great time. Its a great resort for mixed ability skiers. we booked lessons in the afternoon and everyone was accomodated, DH was a beginner but after 5 days was classed as a skier! I had skied 20 years ago and I am glad to say its like riding a bike - you dont forget. and DS (5) was enrolled in the Mickey Ski School and had a Blast. There is a great nursery slope right when you get off the cable car at the top of the mountain, the ski school and restaurants are also there. The ski instructors are mainly english or ausie and love getting to know you and have loads of off piste activities (usually in the pub).
The Sport hotel looks really nice- did not go in it too busy having fun. the sport is right at the bottom of the cable car so you dont have too far to carry ski etc in heavy boots.

are you hiring a car and driving or are you getting a transfer? your question about the roads, huummm, I am not the best person to ask because... we did not have any snow when we were there except for the morning (4am) when we were leaving on the coach. it was snowing! and the roads did get covered, but we passed the snow plough on the way down the mountain and it cleared the road. I think as long as you are not driving in a snow storm then the roads are clear.

when are you going?

The Sport Hotel Village is extremely convenient: the main lift leaves from it. Not stayed there myself, but it's supposed to be better than it's sister hotel the (very good) Sport Hotel over the road - so I don't think you should have any complaints.
If you are driving in from Spain you shouldn't have any problems: it's the main road through Andorra and there are no passes to cross. If you are coming from France, there is now a tunnel under Pas de la Casa, but there is still the long exposed stretch of road (in France) near Pas which the french always seem slow to keep clear - which can mean a long detour around to the spanish side.

I'm looking at the end of Feb and will be driving in from France. We live fairly near to Toulouse so it makes the most sense to me.

Starting to have doubts now and may have a look at some of the other resorts in the Pyrenees on the French side.

Have you considered Baqueira? Only a few hours from Toulouse. We were there over Xmas and surprisingly pleased with the area: in better conditions than we had it could be excellent - although we can't really complain that early in the season.
There are a few pics at saxons.fotopic.net/c1436408.html - but they don't really do the place justice: you should see the video (too big to post anywhere).

Have you checked out Soldeuonline.com - good info and links.

Thanks for all of your help BritTex, we've now decided to go to Cauterets in France. They've put a high speed 'bubble' in now which solves our biggest moan about the place. There's a great family 3* which will suit us for a few days with nice spa/beauty facilities for me as a non skier