Hi
I am planning on taking my wife & son (9) skiing at start of April.
First time for them. Which resort would be best for late season beginners, want nice accomodation (hotel/appt/chalet) & good food/wine.
Like idea of week in Andorra, then a few days in Barcelona to relax/recover!
Any suggestios really welcome.
Tahnks
Andorra April for beginners!
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Started by Heath66 in Andorra 20-Feb-2009 - 6 Replies
Heath66 posted Feb-2009
4x4
reply to 'Andorra April for beginners!' posted Feb-2009
Try and find something in Arinsal. Nice group of hotels at the foot of a gondola to the mid station and some easy slopes and schools based there. If you feel a need to, then a ski bus down the road to Pal should take about 20 mins, and so give a taste of another set of slopes of the Vallnord. Great shopping in Andorra la Vella, and in April, you will be able to get a tan on the beach in Barcelona! 8)
The season may be extended this year as there is a lot more snow than the average, but at the moment the scheduled season close date is 19 April.
:thumbup:
The season may be extended this year as there is a lot more snow than the average, but at the moment the scheduled season close date is 19 April.
:thumbup:
Heath66
reply to 'Andorra April for beginners!' posted Feb-2009
Thanks 4X4, I really appreciate your help.
I am new to Andorra, though my brother has been a couple of times. We will fly in to Barcelona, plan to hire a car. Is this the best way to go, or would a car be a hinderance in resort.
I want a hotel with a pool/sauna/steam, which would you recommend. With having our son, lively bars are not on the agenda, but a selection of family friendly food (Esp Pizza for junior) is important.
All opinions really welcome.
I am new to Andorra, though my brother has been a couple of times. We will fly in to Barcelona, plan to hire a car. Is this the best way to go, or would a car be a hinderance in resort.
I want a hotel with a pool/sauna/steam, which would you recommend. With having our son, lively bars are not on the agenda, but a selection of family friendly food (Esp Pizza for junior) is important.
All opinions really welcome.
4x4
reply to 'Andorra April for beginners!' posted Feb-2009
You are welcome! :)
Maybe you also spotted this post, which also touched on car rental. A car should not be difficult to park at the end of the season. With only the family of three you will have to do some maths though, to work out if the cost of bus transfers from BCN outweighs the cost & convenience of car rental. But of course, once in the car you are free to explore and also chase the snow, should a heatwave have occurred before your trip!
Hotel. well I only used one in Arinsal, and it sounds as if you need something different. It depends on your budget, of course, but I would start at the hotel 'Princesa Park' which should suit anyone and is less than 200 metres from the gondola and work your way down the (price) list from there!
There are a few eating places outside the lift area in the village and lots further down the road towards La Massana, generally the food is good quality I found, and offer something for all ages and tastes.
Do I sound like a travel agent yet? :-) If the eco-crisis keeps up I may need another job!
Maybe you also spotted this post, which also touched on car rental. A car should not be difficult to park at the end of the season. With only the family of three you will have to do some maths though, to work out if the cost of bus transfers from BCN outweighs the cost & convenience of car rental. But of course, once in the car you are free to explore and also chase the snow, should a heatwave have occurred before your trip!
Hotel. well I only used one in Arinsal, and it sounds as if you need something different. It depends on your budget, of course, but I would start at the hotel 'Princesa Park' which should suit anyone and is less than 200 metres from the gondola and work your way down the (price) list from there!
There are a few eating places outside the lift area in the village and lots further down the road towards La Massana, generally the food is good quality I found, and offer something for all ages and tastes.
Do I sound like a travel agent yet? :-) If the eco-crisis keeps up I may need another job!
Fourtoes
reply to 'Andorra April for beginners!' posted Feb-2009
Just got back from Princessa Park. Great Spa, we got a free 2 hour taster session on check in.
Food was half board hot buffet but very good.
Beer in the bar was about 3.5 euros but very big measures of Jamesons by the nice blonde barmaid.
Food was half board hot buffet but very good.
Beer in the bar was about 3.5 euros but very big measures of Jamesons by the nice blonde barmaid.
ChrissyG
reply to 'Andorra April for beginners!' posted Mar-2009
Hi Heath66
I have stayed at the princessa park twice,and i agree with everthing fourtoes says.My girfriend learnt to ski there and really had a great time.I also have had lessons, the ski school is very good.There is a very good bar just down the road from the hotel Qou vardis very friendly and good food too.Hope this info helps.Have a great time.
Chris
I have stayed at the princessa park twice,and i agree with everthing fourtoes says.My girfriend learnt to ski there and really had a great time.I also have had lessons, the ski school is very good.There is a very good bar just down the road from the hotel Qou vardis very friendly and good food too.Hope this info helps.Have a great time.
Chris
Tommie39
reply to 'Andorra April for beginners!' posted Mar-2009
Hey heath, 1st, have great fun wherever you all DO go.
I hooked up with a couple of girls at the "Pincesser Park", which 5 years later are my closest boarding buddies. It IS a great 4* hotel in Arinsal, beutifull Lounge bar (big), complete and varied wellness centre, great staff and top food, for a price you can't go wrong with that one. I on the other hand was staying at the 2* hotel Arinsal a short distance from the slopes, lovely staff, again, Top food, many evenings with localish cuisine, comfy as you like, to die for sofas in a lounge with Roaring fire, cheep as chips and convienient.
So there are two hotels at different ends of the spectrum.
Arinsal is great for begginers (as well as other levels) with good schools and easy runs.....I,m envious.
Haveing said all that, Being the worlds biggest critic, I didn't exspect much from the Holiday that we have just returned from in "Claviere, Italy"....WOW...was I suprised ?, Quickly to say, The Crystal club/hotel "Grande claviere", is a 3*,top notch, English run, Family specific (with HUGE creche'), great staff, superb food (and lots of it), warm rooms,fantastic Skiing area, EMPTY slopes, great lifts....what else....er...I think GOD lives there ....hour and half to Turin, easy in, easy out. UNBELIEVABLE
Nuff said,
God luck
I hooked up with a couple of girls at the "Pincesser Park", which 5 years later are my closest boarding buddies. It IS a great 4* hotel in Arinsal, beutifull Lounge bar (big), complete and varied wellness centre, great staff and top food, for a price you can't go wrong with that one. I on the other hand was staying at the 2* hotel Arinsal a short distance from the slopes, lovely staff, again, Top food, many evenings with localish cuisine, comfy as you like, to die for sofas in a lounge with Roaring fire, cheep as chips and convienient.
So there are two hotels at different ends of the spectrum.
Arinsal is great for begginers (as well as other levels) with good schools and easy runs.....I,m envious.
Haveing said all that, Being the worlds biggest critic, I didn't exspect much from the Holiday that we have just returned from in "Claviere, Italy"....WOW...was I suprised ?, Quickly to say, The Crystal club/hotel "Grande claviere", is a 3*,top notch, English run, Family specific (with HUGE creche'), great staff, superb food (and lots of it), warm rooms,fantastic Skiing area, EMPTY slopes, great lifts....what else....er...I think GOD lives there ....hour and half to Turin, easy in, easy out. UNBELIEVABLE
Nuff said,
God luck
Just setting up for the next cruise
Topic last updated on 14-March-2009 at 15:25