Our team is back on the slopes of Andorra this season, with some new faces, do you want to meet us? Do not miss our blog about the Andorra Resorts team 2018-2019.
Ellen, Esther and Rebecca are the experts who make sure you have an unforgettable holiday on the mountains of Andorra, bringing you the latest news in resort, snow reports, and daily photos about the conditions on the slopes. After years of experience working in the travel industry, they have ended up in Andorra because of their passion for snow, tourism and above all to help people.
When / How was your first experience with the snow?
ELLEN: I’m from the New Forest in the UK, so my first ever memories of snow are wonderful – beautiful snow-covered trees and crisp forest walks; sledding down hills, and of course, snowball fights with my friends.
My first “proper” experience with snow though was when I was learning to snowboard in Queenstown, New Zealand. The conditions on the slopes weren’t nearly as good as they are in Grandvalira though, so I ended up with a very bruised bum and ego!
ESTHER: When I was only a few months old, my parents who are passionate about skiing, decided to take me to Andorra for a ski holiday. My first holidays on the mountains were horrible for me as I was too young, and it was freezing out there! However, while I was growing up I started to enjoy skiing more and more until now, feeling totally in love with snowsports.
REBECCA: My first real experience of a lot of snow was in Canada 2015 during my first winter season – having a white Christmas was incredible and will never forget it! The snow was completely different to what we get in the UK, knee high and lasted for months!
What is your favourite part of your job with Andorra Resorts?
ELLEN: For me, I love the privilege of spending time in the mountains – there aren’t many jobs out there where you get paid to snowboard! I love getting to meet new people and sharing my knowledge of Grandvalira and Vallnord with our customers and social media followers. Work is great when you’re passionate about what you do!
ESTHER: Never in life did I think that I could get paid to ski! I enjoy spending the days around resort exploring every single corner of the slopes to give to our guests the latest and most accurate information about the conditions on the mountains, but also about the restaurants, bars or après ski events happening in town. However, the best thing overall is helping people to have a wonderful holiday on the mountains.
REBECCA: I thoroughly enjoy the variety in my job role and that every day is different. I love meeting new people and working together with our providers to solve any problems that may arise and sharing the passion of what a winter season is all about with our customers.
Favourite restaurant/ bar in Andorra?
ELLEN: Ah! There’s so many to choose from! Right now I’m dreaming of tapas from La Caleta in Soldeu – the food is absolutely delicious and affordable too. Be warned though, you might just eat yourself into a food-coma! At night, you’d be most likely to find me in either The Harp or Barcode in Soldeu; and in Pas de la Casa, I’d say Paddy’s Irish Bar or the Underground Grill. Basically, anywhere with a good atmosphere and/or live music!
ESTHER: For me Ciscos is the place to be in Arinsal. The staff are so friendly you will feel at home when you head there for a meal or a drink. The menu offers a lot of Mexican specialities, and great vegetarian options, and the best sangria in Arinsal. The themed nights, beer pong, dance competitions, and of course the mythic trunk game, make Ciscos a place where you won’t never get bored.
REBECCA: Tough question as there are lots of restaurants to choose from in Arinsal and depends what you fancy! The veggie burger in Hunters is incredible and I’m not vegetarian! But after a day on the slopes the fondue in Restaurant 360 is a filler and if it is a beautiful blue bird day you could spend all afternoon on the terrace in the sun. At night I usually start in Hunters or Derby but then I would usually end a night in Cisco’s – great atmosphere with a good variety of music!
Must do recommendation in Andorra?
ELLEN: We had a go at dog mushing and riding Snowmobiles in Grandvalira Grau Roig last season which was fantastic!
ESTHER: An unforgettable night for me in Arinsal it was when we went to Xalet Igloo (on the slopes of Arinsal) by piste basher and had an amazing dinner in the mountains with the only light of the moon outside. Fondue, friends, wine, and an amazing view of the sky full of stars made it a magical night!
REBECCA: I would say the Xalet Igloo in Pal-Arinsal – the experience of heading up the mountain at night in a piste basher with an incredible fondue dinner ready for you is something you don’t want to miss!
Favourite run in Andorra
ELLEN: These questions just keep getting harder! If I had to choose, I’d say the Rossinyol run in Grandvalira-Canillo. It might only be a blue run, but it’s got a brilliant variety of terrain, twists and turns, with stunning views of the Pyrenees and also great opportunities for some hairy off-piste riding through the trees! OR, when it’s really snowy, Montmallus in Grandvalira Grau Roig is an absolute dream… that’s if you can survive the long button lift ride first!
ESTHER: My favourite run is Creussans, in the resort of Vallnord – Arcalís. It is not actually a run, but a freeride area. I was shocked first time I got this chairlift and when I arrived to the top I realized there were no runs, just kilometres of off-piste all around. Also, I love the views from the top where you can see the border between Andorra and France.
REBECCA: Another tough one, can I choose two?! I try to spend time on both mountains; in Pal-Arinsal I would say the blue run Coll de la Botella – the chairlift (Coll de la Botella) to get to the top is stunning, you have 360 views of the Pyrenees Mountains and on a clear day you can see for miles! In Grandvalira I would choose Pala Nova. At the top of this run, you get the most incredible view over the Grandvalira Grau Roig sector, definitely a place to take a few selfies! It is a longer run that gives you a chance to get your ski legs back.
If you have any questions for the In-Resort team, please just get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.