Total Fight Freestyle

Frestyle snowboarder in the air

Grandvalira hosts the 12th edition of the Total Fight Masters of Freestyle with the best Snowboard (March 24th to 26th) and Freeski (March 31st to April 2nd) riders taking to El Tarter Snowpark for two spectacular weekends of competitions.  It’s well worth heading to the El Tarter sector to watch these amazing riders in action! (more…)

World Cup Racing in Grandvalira

Ski Racing in Grandvalira

This month sees the return of World Cup ski racing to Grandvalira, showcasing the superb world-class facilities on offer.  Not only will we get to see top class racing but also a range of events surrounding the racing, making it an ideal time to experience the hospitality of Andorra.  The racing is Women’s Super-G and Slalom, both of which are very technical and a great spectacle to watch.  Here is the timetable for the weekend: (more…)

Don’t Hit the Slopes Without…

Skier in the latest gear

Are you ready to update your winter wardrobe for that next trip to the mountains?  Or maybe take your first step into owning your own equipment?  If the answer’s yes then there is no better place to get the best advice and service than at Ellis Brigham Mountain sports this January.

With the UK’s leading ski and snowboard experts, you will find a selection of the finest ski clothing and equipment.  Here we take a look at a selection of the hottest gear for the slopes this season:

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Hit The Slopes This Summer

Freestyle SkierIf the exploits of Team GB at the Sochi Winter Olympics have got you interested in learning to ski or snowboard then why not hit the slopes this summer to learn the basics ready for a ski holiday in Andorra next winter!  The team at Chill Factore in Manchester, the UK’s longest indoor real-snow slope, have put together an interesting infographic showing the benefits of training in Britain.

If you see yourself as the next Jenny Jones then you can also look at www.goskigoboard.org.uk which is a website from Snowsports England to help you find out where you can get involved in skiing and snowboarding. (more…)

Background to Sochi

The Sochi mascots sitting in the snow

Man carrying the Olympic torch for SochiRussians have always known Sochi as a holiday resort city on the Black Sea, about as far to the south-west as you can get in this enormous country. It also has the distinction of being one of the world’s longest cities at 145 kilometers in length. For an idea of scale, that would be like Blackpool stretching from the southern Lake District to Rhyl, or Brighton stretching from Portsmouth to Hastings. The length has been the result of growth and the amalgamation of neighbouring seaside towns.

This one-dimension spread isn’t merely because of a love of the sea air, however. There are only a few miles between the shores and the foothills of Western Caucasus, and that doesn’t leave much room to build on – except by spreading outwards. The mountains are also, of course, key to Sochi’s successful bid – because in the winter months they almost always get a healthy coating of beautiful, deep snow. (more…)

How to Become a Ski Instructor

Instructors on a CASI course
Instructors on a CASI course

Fancy being a ski instructor?

Yeah in your dreams!

Well it doesn’t have to be a dream.

If you can execute tidy parallel turns on an intermediate piste and you’re over 15 years of age, then you CAN train to be a ski instructor.

The same applies if you’re a snowboarder – if you are able to demonstrate comfortable and safe riding skills on intermediate terrain you CAN train to be a Snowboarding Instructor.

For the last 17 years Instructor Academy has operated in Soldeu, Andorra, making available excellent value, high quality on snow courses as a licenced provider for the Canadian organisations C.S.I.A and C.A.S.I.  Many thousands of young (and not so young!) snow addicts have made it through our system and now teach in Europe, Canada, New Zealand and all over the UK on artificial surfaces. (more…)

Soldeu Hosting European Cup Finals 2014

Ski racer in Soldeu
Ski racer in Soldeu

Following the very successful hosting of European and World Cup ski racing events in Soldeu for the past two years, Soldeu has been chosen to host the European Cup Finals in March 2014!

This fantastic achievement has been made possible due to the impressive work being done to continually improve the slopes of Grandvalira, now with FIS approved slopes in both Soldeu and El Tarter, as well as the excellent planning and delivery of previous events.

Hosting the finals week in 2014 is another step towards the future ambitions of Grandvalira who are aiming to host more World Cup racing in the coming seasons.  (more…)

Summer Skiing at Chill Factore

Indoor real snow ski slope at Chill Factore, Manchester

Indoor real snow ski slope at Chill Factore, ManchesterWith the heat of summer getting to us we decided to visit Chill Factore in Manchester to get in some summer turns to make sure we don’t forget how to ski before winter!  It was our first time skiing at an indoor slope so a pretty exciting day out!

The bright and spacious changing area has a fully equipped rental shop to get skis, snowboards and boots fitted, plus because they cater for absolute beginners as well as those who have been skiing before they have a full range of winter clothing which you can rent for your session.  I checked the website before setting off which said to take warm clothing and even then I was surprised at how cold it is inside the slope.  I know it sounds pretty obvious now but it really is a fridge, maybe even a freezer – minus 3°C to keep the snow in top condition throughout the day – so when you visit make sure you bring warm clothes and wrap up well! (more…)

Soldeu Candidate For European Cup Finals 2014

Ski racer in Soldeu
Ski racer in Soldeu

Due to the successful organisation and execution of the men’s European Cup ski racing held in Soldeu earlier this month, the International Ski Federation (FIS) have announced that Soldeu is a firm candidate to host the European Cup finals in 2014.

As well as the Avet slope in Soldeu, Grandvalira are working hard to ensure the Aliga slope in El Tarter attains FIS approval for competitions which should be accomplished over the summer.

There was praise for the course from Race Director, Jordi Pujol, who said “the slope was spectacular, easily World Cup standard, and it held up perfectly all weekend, without the need for water injection. Both the skiers and the experts tell me that Avet is a difficult World Cup slope, and is not a European Cup course”.

The decision will be made in May 2013, so we hope Soldeu is successful!

European Cup Ski Racing in Soldeu

Ski racers on the podium in SoldeuThis weekend has seen the men’s European Cup Giant Slalom ski racing come to Soldeu for the first time, following on from the successful women’s World and European Cup events held last winter.  The racing has been held over two days which saw beautiful weather and perfect snow conditions.

The racing was held on the Avet slope which decends from next to the Soldeu chair lift and follows the gondola back down to the village affording some spectacular views from the village including from the terraces of Sol i Neu restaurant and the Sport Village hotel.  Conditions were fantastic for the skiers and the winner, Luca de Aliprandini of Italy, described the Avet slope as “demanding” with a “highly technical layout”.