Surrounded by snow-capped, this Alpine ski resort boasts an unspoiled nature and surprises with an incredible natural charm to enjoy winter.
This white paradise is one of the bigges European ski resorts. In 2003 the Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig y Soldeu- El tarter, resorts joined forces to make Grandvalira station the biges one in the south of the Pyrenees, a privileged largest ski winter resort and one of the landmarks of European alpine skiing.
Pure air, snowy landscapes, streets that are ski slopes, convert fabulous snow carpets tours to enjoy the sport and do slaloms in summits that fade between the border of Spain and France.
Grandvalira Ski Resort
On the occasion of the celebration of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup held in late February, Grandvalira organization gave us the opportunity to live a weekend full of experiences, not only sports, but also dining and entertainment.
FIS Alpine Ski World Cup
Hours before giving the go-ahead, Grandvalira welcomed the World Cup with a laser show, torches and fireworks under the incomparable setting of the peaks surrounding the Soldeu.
Fireworks
Before retiring to rest at the Hotel Piolets Park, dinner at La Tofana Restaurant inside the Hermitage Hotel, we were surprised with a gastronomic proposal composed of various Italian dishes topped with the house specialty, pizza made with semolina flour, which transported us to the heart of flavors most authentic of Italy.
The next day, the promise of an intense white day was enough to recharge your batteries with a hearty breakfast before heading out to the track Tarter momentum. Like the vast majority of stations, Grandvalira has a ski school covering several levels of knowledge. The most advanced skiers began their climb to the summit to enjoy a day of descents and adrenaline. Newcomers like me, were ready for a Top Class Service taught by high-level monitors, which helped us to learn, improve and perfect our knowledge of skiing. Over two hours, we get down the track first for beginners to go down a little more complicated lifts, surprised our skills at the practice of the white sport. A really exciting and fun experience.
Blanca Fernández Ochoa and her sister Lola
Still in the hights, was the time for a break in La Trattoria, a charming ski to door restaurant with a spectacular terrace overlooking the mountains. Pizzas made with the traditional formula, turning into a delicacy.
La Trattoria Restaurant
Before returning to the hotel, we allow ourselves to see in the lively Après-ski par excellence and place to be in Grandvalira. The terrace restaurant L’Abarset, becomes the perfect setting where young and not so young be revealing as evening falls. The music volume up and Dj accompanies hundreds of skiers to the Après-Ski a moment to enjoy relaxed and put the finishing touches on a busy day.
L´Abarset Restaurant Terrace
The last surprise of the day came at nightfall, where the time is sophisticated with the gastronomy of the Origin Restaurant at the Sport Hermitage & Spa Hotel. Under the baton of Chef with 1 star Michelin, Nandu Jubany, we enjoyed a traditional, modern and bright quality dining. Recipes made to the smallest detail, made with local produce and seasonal, washed down with a variety of personally selected by their wine sommelier. As insuperable as all deserved rest after intense day we lived menu.
Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa
The last day dawns, accompanied by snow that we did not give up at any time, ready to live a new experience. For as there is life beyond sliding down the mountains, the proposal to go for a walk in dogsled, we found surprising and different.
Mushing
Known as Mushing, it is a kind of journey driven by dogsled self, marked in Riba Escorxada circuits (Grandvalira – El Tarter). Following the musher who was leading and the snowy landscape as a travel companion, the feeling of freedom that is experienced and able to enjoy the icy nature in motion, it was undoubtedly the realization that there are many ways to enjoy the snow perpetual crowning the peaks that dominate this privileged area of the Pyrenees. an experience for the eyes and senses, hard to forget.
When we got back, we approached the finish line to attend the awards ceremony of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup. The theme of the event “The World Cup is here” was fulfilled, thanks to the excellent responsiveness of the organization to overcome the difficulties meteorological runners had to face during the weekend. Finally, the 76 skiers arrivals from 23 different countries, descended the Àliga El Tarter slope, during the two races held, the Super-G and Combined Alpina. Canadian skier Marie-Michele Gagnon, was proclaimed winner of the combined test, while the second place went to the Swiss Wendy Holdener.
The awards ceremony put the end to an exciting few days, thanks to the excellent work and complicity Blanca, Barbara, Itziar and Cristina, who strived for the memories we took on Grandvalira stay in our minds forever. And they succeeded.