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Introduction
Pas de la Casa has been a spectacular success over the 50 years since it was first envisaged and a drag lift installed by the high border crossing with France. The combination of skiing at a snowsure altitude and duty-free shopping rapidly proved popular and Pas de la Casa was soon installing a new lift virtually every year and expanding further into Andorra.
By 2000 its ski area had come up against that of rival Soldeu, also expanding, and a tense stand-off ensued with both areas building parallel high-speed six-seater chairlifts a few hundred metres apart along their borders, but refusing to allow ticket holders for one to ride the other (or more often, not bothering to tell them until it was too late then billing them for a full day's lift pass...).
All that changed in 2004 when the former rivals merged to form the giant Grandvalira area, the largest in the Pyrenees, with nearly 200km (125 miles) of piste linked by a state-of-the-art high-speed lift network, which now extends over into France.
Today Pas de la Casa is officially just another part of Grandvalira and, despite a gradual move upmarket, it maintains its strong independent identity and reputation as a base for hardcore snow fans and après skiers.
By 2000 its ski area had come up against that of rival Soldeu, also expanding, and a tense stand-off ensued with both areas building parallel high-speed six-seater chairlifts a few hundred metres apart along their borders, but refusing to allow ticket holders for one to ride the other (or more often, not bothering to tell them until it was too late then billing them for a full day's lift pass...).
All that changed in 2004 when the former rivals merged to form the giant Grandvalira area, the largest in the Pyrenees, with nearly 200km (125 miles) of piste linked by a state-of-the-art high-speed lift network, which now extends over into France.
Today Pas de la Casa is officially just another part of Grandvalira and, despite a gradual move upmarket, it maintains its strong independent identity and reputation as a base for hardcore snow fans and après skiers.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 1,710m (5,610ft).
Top elevation: 2,640m (8,661ft).
Base elevation: 1,710m (5,610ft).
Number of lifts: 64.
Number of runs: 110.
Average annual snowfall: 2.5m (8.3ft).
Where in the world?
Pas de la Casa is part of the Grandvalira ski resort which takes up much of the northeastern half of the small principality of Andorra. Andorra is sandwiched between Spain to the west and France to the east in the Pyrenean mountains and is about 160km (100 miles) north of the Mediterranean Sea.
Hit the slopes
The season typically runs from mid December until mid April.
Pas de la Casa has an excellent, English-speaking ski school and wide, sunny slopes on which to learn, so it's a good choice for beginners. Once those first turns have been mastered there are 18 very easy green runs to totter around on, with largely easy-to-ride high-speed detachable chairlifts or walk-in gondolas to get you back up the slopes without needing to master the dreaded drag lift too early on.
About two-thirds of Grandvalira's skiing is on wide, fast blues and reds above the treeline so intermediates will be able to enjoy a great holiday whizzing around. Experts have 23 blacks and can try heli-skiing, or an off-piste powder course, with the ski school when snow conditions are right.
Despite the southerly latitude, the high altitude of the Grandvalira ski area, its mostly north-facing slopes and its extensive snowmaking have been proven to provide snow cover over much of the terrain even in poor snow years.
Grandvalira, and the other Andorran ski area VallNord, which covers three resort bases at two other ski areas, both participate in the Ski Andorra lift pass which is valid at any ski area in the principality over a five-day period.
Pas de la Casa has an excellent, English-speaking ski school and wide, sunny slopes on which to learn, so it's a good choice for beginners. Once those first turns have been mastered there are 18 very easy green runs to totter around on, with largely easy-to-ride high-speed detachable chairlifts or walk-in gondolas to get you back up the slopes without needing to master the dreaded drag lift too early on.
About two-thirds of Grandvalira's skiing is on wide, fast blues and reds above the treeline so intermediates will be able to enjoy a great holiday whizzing around. Experts have 23 blacks and can try heli-skiing, or an off-piste powder course, with the ski school when snow conditions are right.
Despite the southerly latitude, the high altitude of the Grandvalira ski area, its mostly north-facing slopes and its extensive snowmaking have been proven to provide snow cover over much of the terrain even in poor snow years.
Grandvalira, and the other Andorran ski area VallNord, which covers three resort bases at two other ski areas, both participate in the Ski Andorra lift pass which is valid at any ski area in the principality over a five-day period.
Beyond the slopes
Pas de La Casa itself has fairly limited facilities beyond snow sports, but there is a leisure centre with indoor pool and a gym. Other resorts on the Grandvalira pass, linked by a bus service, do widen the choice. Canillo, a 20-minute bus ride down towards La Vella, has another sports centre with small indoor pool, ice rink and squash courts. A larger and more luxurious spa centre, the Sport Wellness Mountain Spa, has recently opened at Soldeu.
Snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dog sledding are also offered at Canillo and nearer to home, Europe's highest ice driving circuit (see Splashing Out below) is located close to Pas de la Casa.
Snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dog sledding are also offered at Canillo and nearer to home, Europe's highest ice driving circuit (see Splashing Out below) is located close to Pas de la Casa.
Family fun
This is a friendly resort for families, with very good childcare and ski-school facilities - just be wary your accommodation does not incorporate a lively late night bar, if getting your children to sleep may be an issue.
The local nursery accepts children from age two. Ski school, with its own special snowplay nursery incorporating indoor areas, takes kids from age three.
The local nursery accepts children from age two. Ski school, with its own special snowplay nursery incorporating indoor areas, takes kids from age three.
Retail therapy
Pas de la Casa's growth and success has in part been built on retail as well as winter sports. Its location on the French border meant it was the first place for visitors arriving from France to be able to purchase duty-free goods, so it rapidly grew in popularity.
The most widely available duty-free items are tobacco, spirits, electronic goods, music, jewellery, perfumes and cosmetics, designer clothing and photography equipment.
The most widely available duty-free items are tobacco, spirits, electronic goods, music, jewellery, perfumes and cosmetics, designer clothing and photography equipment.
Après ski
Pas de la Casa has a reputation as the top party resort in Andorra and attracts a largely young crowd who maintain this standard to the full. The action continues around the clock, but the key period is typically from 2300 when the numerous bars get going through to the official closing time of 0300 (0400 for clubs).
Bilboard (Carrer Bearn 14, Edifici Còndor) is especially popular with the British and Dutch and plays all types of music, especially pop hits, through to the early hours. Crack (Hotel Cristina, Carrer de la Solana 20) is also open late at weekends with music ranging from dance to grunge. The Kamikaze Surf Bar or KBS (Carrer dels Vaquers 15) has live music and theme nights with a ‘surf' atmosphere.
Bilboard (Carrer Bearn 14, Edifici Còndor) is especially popular with the British and Dutch and plays all types of music, especially pop hits, through to the early hours. Crack (Hotel Cristina, Carrer de la Solana 20) is also open late at weekends with music ranging from dance to grunge. The Kamikaze Surf Bar or KBS (Carrer dels Vaquers 15) has live music and theme nights with a ‘surf' atmosphere.
Eating out
There are about 50 places to eat around Pas de la Casa so there's plenty of choice. The majority of establishments are small, family-run businesses serving affordable pizza or paella and international dishes.
However those looking for fine dining need not be disappointed as the Marisqueria Campistrano restaurant (Carrer Bearn 30) has built a strong reputation for its quality service and cuisine and the Marmita (Hotel Grau Roig) is also highly regarded for buying in fresh local produce to use in its culinary creations.
However those looking for fine dining need not be disappointed as the Marisqueria Campistrano restaurant (Carrer Bearn 30) has built a strong reputation for its quality service and cuisine and the Marmita (Hotel Grau Roig) is also highly regarded for buying in fresh local produce to use in its culinary creations.
Getting around
Most accommodation, ski lifts and facilities are within easy walking distance of each other. A ski bus circulates around the village and between ski area bases. Driving can be difficult due to road overcrowding and limited parking.
Splashing out
Try ice karting or ice driving on the Grandvalira Circuit, located at Port d'Envalira, five minutes from Pas de la Casa. The circuit is the highest in Europe (2,370m/7,775ft) and is the site for one of the stages of the prestigious Andros Trophy and the Andorran speed on ice championships (website: www.grandvalira.com).
Accommodation
Luxury
Font d'ArgentCentral, slopeside 4-star hotel, opened in 2000 and renovated in 2003. Leisure facilities include a sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room and massage service.
Carrer Bearn 20-24
Tel: 739 739.
Website: www.fontdargent.com
Moderate
Hotel MetaSlopeside 3-star hotel very close to all Pas de la Casa's facilities.
Plaça Copríncep 19
Tel: 755 635.
Website: www.hotel-meta.com
Budget
Hotel Llac NegreCheap, cheerful and clean 2-star accommodation with basic facilities and good food.
Carrer Sant Jordi 43
Tel: 755 025.
Website: www.hotelpasdelacasa.com
Getting there
Nearest airports: Toulouse (TLS); Barcelona (BCN).
Distance to resort: 160km (100 miles); 186km (116 miles).
Driving time: 2 hours; 3 hours.
Distance to resort: 160km (100 miles); 186km (116 miles).
Driving time: 2 hours; 3 hours.
Website
This resort is good for...
Après ski, Snowboarders, Intermediates, Beginners
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