I have done this trip a dozen times. Don't muck about with sodding buses, rent a people carrier through airline-network.co.uk or similar. You will get it for a week for about £30 a day max. The drive is easy, the tourist office at the airport will give you a map and the directions. For about £15 they will also give you a set of snow chains, ditto for a roof rack with carrier.
My best time was on about 2 3/4 hours Girona into Pas and you can stop at the great services at the tunnel del cadi for a break and something to eat. Pick the right hotel and you will get free parking or go into the sports center which is free anyhow but a bit of a walk.
Then you are independent and if the snow is crap this year again at least you can head over to Arcalis or Pal where it was and this year is again considerably better than Grand Valira for snow and crowds.
Alaska is good but a 200-300 meter climb from the ski lifts. Take oxygen.
Cheers
Gas
