Grau Roig ski resort. Grandvalira's unspoilt corner.

Grau is one of our favourite places to ski because of the sheer range of slopes. The progression for learning is very good if you're starting out, there's a children's area running through a forest, and at the other end of the scale you'll find some fantastic red and black runs plus lots of accessible off-piste in the bowls. Freestylers get Snowpark Xavi, Grandvalira's beginner-to-intermediate park.

With no village of its own — save for a single slope-side hotel, if total ski-in solitude appeals — Grau Roig is skied from its neighbours: Pas de la Casa is directly over the ridge, Soldeu a few lifts the other way, or it's a drive-up day trip with parking at the base. It's the connecting hub of the eastern circuit, so you'll almost certainly pass through it anyway; the trick is knowing to stop.

One of the best features of Grau Roig is how comfortable it is for families: the ski school, snow garden, crèche, beginners' slopes and restaurants are all close to each other, so nobody's trekking across a resort with armfuls of kit. It's also Grandvalira's main hub for adventure activities — dogsled rides, snowmobiles and even paintballing on snow — which makes it the obvious pick for a different kind of mountain day.

Come lunchtime, head to the Pessons restaurant — great food on a terrace overlooking the frozen lake, with a stunning mountain backdrop.