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Grandvalira is a World Cup Ski Station. After receiving the Alpine Ski World Cup Finals in both the men’s and women’s category, now it is the turn of the last two last two races of the Speed Skiing World Cup. This will be the sixth consecutive year that the Riberal track in the Grau-Roig sector of Grandvalira will host the premier competition of speed skiing. Two years ago, the Swiss skier Philippe May set the world speed record, reaching 199.56 kilometers per hour. Will they be able to reach 200km / hour this year? When can we enjoy the KL? Take note! The last two last 2 races of the World Cup of the Throw Kilometer will take place from April the 11th to the 13th, 2019. So that you do not miss anything, here is the program: Wednesday, April 10, 2019 Welcome + accreditations Speed Skiing World Cup, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Grau Roig Building At 7pm Meeting of the Speed Skiing World Cup captains at the Grau Roig Building Thursday, April 11, 2019 Speedskiing World Cup Grandvalira I & II 10h30 1st Mandatory Training 12h00 1st Qualifying Round 13h30 Captains Meeting at the finish area Friday, April 12, 2019 Speedskiing World Cup Grandvalira I 09h 2nd Qualifying Round 10:30 Semi Finals 12h Speed Skiing World Cup Grandvalira I Finals Speed Skiing World Cup Grandvalira II 14h Captains Meeting Speedskiing WC II Saturday, April 13, 2019 Speedskiing World Cup Grandvalira II 09h Qualifying Round 10h30 Semi Finals 12h Speed Skiing World Cup Grandvalira II Finals 18h30 Award ceremony. Restaurant Cubil – Grau Roig 19h30 pm Official Dinner. Restaurant Cubil – Grau Roig Where will take place? The Riberal track of the Grandvalira – Grau Roig sector will host this event again. The departure will take place from the tower of 10 meters high and 18 meters long, which we hope will allow the skiers to reach the desired 200 km / h. This track is the only one in southern Europe suitable for this type of competitions. Its length is 900 meters, to which we must add a braking area of 450 m. The slope, with a maximum gradient of 74%, starts at 2,538 m in height and ends at 2,338 m, with a drop of 200 in addition to the 10 meters of the tower at the point of departure. What do I have to do to see them? It’s very easy. Have a good breakfast, put on your boots, put on your skis and ski to Riberal slope in Grau Roig sector. The show is guaranteed! Make your reservation now and do not miss it. Make your reservation now and do not miss it.

Be prepared to experience strong emotions and enjoy the impossible jumps of the best riders in the world during The Total Fight Masters of Freestyle 2019. It will take place in the Snowpark del Tarter, on the same ski slope where the hotel is located, on weekends from the 28th to the 30th of March and from the 4th to the 6th of April, for the snowboard and Freeski tests respectively. El Tarter’s Snowpark Currently Grandvalira has 3 parks spread out at the station. This is one of the most innovative in Spain and Andorra. It houses different modules and areas for all levels, to offer the best conditions in both skiing and snowboarding. It has a length of 1.3 km so it can provide longer rounds. This will be the 15th edition of this competition. The origins of Freestyle Although it is a discipline that is less known and practiced in snow sports, Freestyle is one of the most spectacular and each year it is gaining new followers. It is characterized by looking for ways to enjoy the mountains and skiing or snowboarding with a free style. It was born in Norway in the 30s, during Alpine skiing training when skiers performed acrobatics to hang out. The first exhibitions took place in the United States in the 1950s. At the end of the 70s and the beginning of the 80s, the first snowboarding acrobatics appeared when surfers and skateboarders adapted their pirouettes to the snow. In Grandvalira you can always enjoy the best sporting events and the best thing is that we are very close to all of them. So do not hesitate and book your ski getaway to see it all up close. Also if you want to emulate the great riders and learn how to do freestyle the station also offers courses, ask at our reception and we will advise you.

We are on count down for one of the most anticipated event in Andorra this year: the Ski World Cup Finals (men and women) alpine skiing, which after the Olympic Winter Games and the Alpine Ski World Championships, is the most important competition in this discipline. From March the 11th to the 17th enjoy with the 25 best skiers in the world. Keep reading and do not miss any details. Competition program On the 11/03 and 12/03: workouts on the track. The 13th and 14th: Descent and Supergiant Finals, men and women, in the Àliga. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the competition moves to the Avet track where Slalom and Giant Slalom races will take place, both in men’s and women’s categories. A World Cup slopes The finals will be held on the Avet slope (Soldeu sector) for the Slalom and Giant Slalom disciplines and in the Àliga course (El Tarter sector and at the foot of the hotel) for the speed categories: Downhill and Super-G. This last track allows reach speeds of 120 km/hour. Tracks of both slopes have been approved by the FIS and have already hosted some of the most important alpine skiing competitions, such as the finals of the European Cup in 2018 for men and women or the Women’s World Cup in 2016 and in 2012. Soldeu Platform To be able to host the World Cup Finals of alpine skiing, some improvement works have been done, investing in innovation to be up to date and to be able to offer the best facilities and services. But the most significant change can be found in in the Avet slope, in which an infrastructure of 16,000 m2 has been created overflying the river, to condition the foot of the slopes. This platform will give skiers a wider braking area, at the same time that it enables a larger bleacher area with capacity for up to 1,500 spectators and parking space for 450 vehicles that will solve parking problems and connect the town of Soldeu with the slopes. The Finals après-ski As it can not be missed out in an event of the size of a World Cup Finals, there will be a Village with various activities. In L’Abarset del Tarter, the place to be in Grandvalira when the ski station is closed, lives shows will take place to continue enjoying the day after watching the best skiers in the world. And do you know what is the best? Well, we have everything only a few meters far from the hotel. So do not wait any longer and make your room reservation to ski in Andorra and enjoy in first-hand the Finals of the Alpine Ski World Cup.

The Carnival holidays are just around the corner and allow us to escape with the family for a few days to have fun together. Andorra can be the perfect destination for the whole family. Here are some of the things you can do at the end of February in our little country. The Carnival parties From March the 4th, in Andorra you will enjoy the typical Carnival celebrations that take place in many of our towns. You can laugh with the cavalcades, the costumes competitions and participate in all the activities planned for the little ones of the house. Go shopping It is no secret that in the country of the Pyrenees you can find all your favorite brands at a very competitive price in one of the 1500 shops that await you. So, why not take advantage of your getaway to renew your wardrobe with the fashionable clothes for this summer? A morning of skiing Just 200 meters away from your room in our hotel, you will have at your disposal the more than 200 kilometers of Grandvalira slopes. You can ski all morning with family, or hire a monitor to improve your technique. Laughter in the snow But, not everything is skiing. Discover some of the other activities proposed by the ski domain. You can learn how to build a real igloo of blocks of snow, become musher while you guide the sled with dogs or go down a snow slide practicing tubbing. Fun in the water And after a day in the snow, recover your energy in Caldea. Its thermal waters will help you to recover from the effort of the morning. And the little ones will be able to discover the spa world in LIKIDS space. Children will be able to listen to stories, do yoga and treatments at this new spa for children while parents enjoy a moment alone. Don’t hesitate, book your Carnival holidays in Andorra and spend a few days full of family fun.

In December you will be able not only to enjoy the variety of Christmas proposals, but also the lights and decorations typical of this time of year. It is the ideal season to visit us, as you can combine skiing and snow activities with the various après-ski Christmas proposals that take place throughout Andorra. Christmas activities for the whole family In Canillo, at 5 minutes by car from the hotel, you can follow an itinerary through the town streets, where you will discover the figures of the Nativity scene in real size. In addition, if you visit us on December the 28th or January the 4th, the Palau de Gel organizes a Christmas ice skating gala. The traditional Advent calendar will also be present, in Encamp and the Pas de la Casa. Every day, at 6:00 pm, a little window will be opened to remind children that Christmas is coming. All the people present during the opening will receive presents with sweets. In Andorra la Vella: lights, Christmas market and action! Enjoy a lot of activities throughout the town. Like the Christmas market, where you will find handcrafted and local products with a good gastronomic proposal to snack on something while you walk. Or the super slide and a skating rink where children will have a great time, and the illuminated tunnel where every evening there is a show of light and sound. Without forgetting the magical post office: where children can deliver their letters to the menairons (elves of Andorra, friends of Santa Claus) … and much more. Santa Claus arrival and Kings Parade December the 24th in the afternoon, Santa Claus will announce his arrival through the streets of the different towns of the country. Sometimes accompanied by his elves, in sleigh, on horseback or in a chariot… at the end he will pick up the letters of the children who have not yet sent it to him. The same night, at about twelve o’clock or one, Christmas Midnight Mass is also celebrated in many churches of the country. On January the 5th, starting at 6pm, the different parades of the Magi will take place in the different towns of Andorra. At the end of these, it will also be the opportunity for the children to be able to hand deliver their cards. Don’t miss it out. As you can see in Andorra you will find proposals for these special dates, for all tastes and for all ages. Do not wait any longer and make your reservation.

LThe most anticipated time of year for skiers is approaching. After waiting eight months, the moment when we can put on our skis again is finally arriving. But not only this sport lovers are getting ready, but also the ski resorts, which bring us all their novelties and prepare themselves to receive us all. Grandvalira Agreement The good news we received this month, and after some time without knowing what was going to happen, is that the Grandvalira brand will finally continue indefinitely, once its leaders have reached a much-awaited agreement. But not only the ski area of Grandvalira will continue, but it will also sum up Ordino-Arcalís ski station in its facilities. This ski station is added to Grau Roig-Pas de la Casa and Soldeu el Tarter. The ski area will reach 240 km, with more descents, a different landscape and a totally singular terrain in the north of Andorra, ideal for freeride practice … but also for skiing and mountain skiing. The addition of Arcalís makes Grandvalira the seventh largest ski resort in the world. Events of the season Along this year, you will also enjoy great events and ski exhibitions. The biggest event of the season will arrive in March. From the 11th to the 19th, the Avet slope in Soldeu and The Àliga slope in El Tarter will welcome the men’s and women’s Alpine Ski World Cup finals that will take place for the first time in Grandvalira. Just next to our hotel. Other remarkable event will be the final of the KL World Cup that will take place in Grau-Roig area in April, and the Total Fight Masters of Freestyle in El Tarter at the end of March. So do not hesitate, and if you want to be the first to walk on the snow this year, make your reservation with hotel and ski pass.

You feel like snow, don’t you? The date for putting your skis on again is approaching …It is less than 3 months to the start of the season, so we would like to give you some tips so you can prepare for the big day. Strengthen your legs! To ski you need to have a strong and toned muscles to prevent your joints from suffering. Thus you will avoid injuries in delicate areas such as the ankles, knees or hips. Start today with squats and lunges. Set yourself some series before leaving home every morning, and you’ll see how you get to December with stronger legs Prepare your abs and core We don’t usually bother much about them, but it’s well worth bothering! When skiing, much of the tension is concentrated in this area. So you need to do some crunches, especially with rotations that work the sides more. We also recommend working on the lumbar area to strengthen the whole core. Some aerobic exercise Even if you are among those who stop mid-morning to take a break, you know that to fully enjoy your ski day you need a minimal amount of stamina. To train this, try to do some aerobic activity at moderate intensity, for at least half an hour, and 2 days a week. Running, cycling, walking fast, using the elliptical trainer are amongst some of the options for you to increase your stamina. With this simple routine, all that is left to do is to book your hotel plus ski package in Grandvalira and start to cross days off on the calendar. The start date of the season is approaching fast. Don’t be caught off guard!

If you want to discover the most emblematic places in Andorra, and you want to do it in a simple and comfortable way, we suggest you try some of the Tourist Bus routes. Each itinerary covers a specific theme, so you can choose the suggestions that most interest you. From June to October The Tourist Bus operates in the summer months. From June 1st to October 31st one of the 7 itineraries is available each day. The starting point is in the center of Andorra Vella, in front of the church. The tour lasts half a day (from 9:00 to 13:30) except on Saturdays, when the route finishes at 4p.m. and also includes lunch. On all the tours you will enjoy a visit with audio-guide and free tickets to churches and monuments. Tours and themes There are 7 tours programmed during the week, which combine stunning views of our valleys with cultural visits. Mondays and Thursdays: Landscapes and Romanesque Departure to Sant Miquel d’Engolasters (or Casa Cristo, depending on the opening days) followed by a visit to the Meritxell Sanctuary. Afterwards you will discover the church of Sant Joan de Caselles (or the Motorcycle Museum, depending on openings), and will finish with a drive up the Coll d’Ordino to the viewpoint of “Roc del Quer”. Tuesday: Landscapes and urban habitat Departure to Sant Julià de Lòria to visit the Tobacco Museum. You will then visit the church of Santa Coloma (the only one in the country with a circular bell tower) and go on to the Engolasters lake where you will have the chance to take walk and enjoy nature. The tour ends with a visit to the Sant Miquel d’Engolasters church. Wednesday: Landscapes and crafts Departure to the Northern Valleys to visit the Rossell Forge, the charming village of Pal, enjoy the spectacular landscapes in Coll de la Botella and stop at La Caubella, at the foot of Pal ski resort. From there, you will take a Gondola to La Massana (depending on the opening days) from where you will pick up the bus again. Friday: Landscapes, lake and energy The first stop of the tour is at the Energy Museum, after which you follow the hydroelectric Engolasters track and visit the lake. At the end, a pleasant walk surrounded by nature along the “Camí de les Fonts” awaits you. Saturday: Landscapes and traditions Departure to the Rossell Forge where you will discover how the process of transforming iron into ingots and their commercialization on the Catalan markets was carried out in the 19th century. This is followed by a visit to the church of Sant Martí de la Cortinada and a drive to the Arcalís ski resort, where you will enjoy incredible views and landscapes. On your way down, you will have lunch in a mountain hotel in the village of Serrat. Sunday: Landscapes and mountain country Departure to the Interpretation Center of Comapedrosa (or to the Riu Pollós, depending on the opening days). Then, visit the Roc de la Sabina to enjoy the scenery and the views, the town of Pal, Coll de la Botella and go down by Gondola from Pal ski station (depending on the opening days) to La Massana from where you will take the bus back. Some very interesting tours during which the history of the monuments you visit will be explained to you, as well as entertaining anecdotes about the country, its culture and traditions.

Autumn comes with rain, coolest and wet days .. but also with the exquisite mushrooms that, from one day to the next, fill in the Andorran forests. Whether you like to collect them, or if you prefer them well cooked as an accompaniment to a good meat dish, we have no doubt that in Andorra you will be able to enjoy the mushroom season like nowhere else on the planet. Where to find mushrooms? As sure as you know, true hunters never reveal exactly where they found mushrooms. They all have their secret corner that they will never tell us … but we are going to give you some clues so that you can go out into the forest and come back with some fungi in the basket! ☺ Some of the most popular areas in the country to go mushroom hunting are: the forests of Coll d’Ordino and Coll de Pal, the area of La Rabassa in Sant Julià de Lòria, and the area of Sorteny. In these areas it is easy to see cars parked from early in the morning … and as the saying does: “God Helps Those Who Wake Up Early” (or at least you will be sure that no one has benn before you trying to collect mushrooms) Be prudent and respect the forest Although they may seem trivial, these are two basic tips if you want to gather mushrooms. First of all, it is recommended to collect only the mushrooms that you really known. When in doubt, they should never be consumed since they could cause intoxications that can be lethal. So, if you do not have it clear, you can pick up one of them to ask some of the village elders what the mushroom is about. Surely they will be happy to share with you their wisdom about the species in the country! Another important issue is to respect the forest. When collecting mushrooms, it is vital not to damage the low forest around them, as this will prevent them from growing in the same place. In addition, it is recommended to use a wicker basket and not go in groups too big because the excess of footprints will harm the soil in which these mushrooms are to be born. And for the most gourmets … find them at the table! If you have no idea of mushrooms in the forest, but you love to savor them at table, you will enjoy the typical dishes of our mountain cuisine. Cream of boletus, risotto with mushrooms, sautéed prawns with mushrooms, meatballs with “carreroles”, rabbit with “moixerons”, grilled rolls … A taste for the senses that is worth giving away. So this fall season, come and enjoy the mushrooms in Andorra. Book now room with us and … enjoy them as you like!/h4>