Soldeu is part of the great Grandvalira region, which incorporates neighbour and former arch rival Pas de La Casa and has four other resort bases.

Although all the bases are well linked into the ski area and each has its own facilities, it's important to be aware that they are all a few miles apart by bus. Thus Soldeu and El Tarter for example, sometimes lumped together as one resort name, are in fact two separate villages a little way apart. 

The combined area has rapidly grown, with an exceptional fleet of state-of-the-art high-capacity chairlifts and swish gondolas, to be one of the world's 50 largest. Despite the rapid expansion, Soldeu has maintained high environmental standards and is one of the few resorts worldwide that has adopted the ISO 14001 international environmental management system.

Soldeu has also moved dramatically upmarket, opening a selection of extremely nice hotels and other quality services. As the price of the weekly lift ticket has risen to match, it can no longer realistically be thought of as cheap - with the exception of the continuing duty-free shopping.

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).

Soldeu is part of the Grandvalira ski resort which takes up much of the eastern 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.

The season runs from the start of December until late- April.

Soldeu's ski area has grown to cover nearly 200km (125 miles) of piste linking six different bases. The original area that ultimately had joined the villages of El Tarter and Canillo together had been linked for some years to neighbour and arch rival Pas de la Casa, but no joint lift ticket was available and skiers had to buy separate day tickets for each area to ski both. 

Then in 2004 all that was forgotten when the two areas joined to form Grandvalira, immediately creating the largest ski area in the Pyrenees and one of the biggest in Europe and the world. The combined area has subsequently expanded into France and now has nine high-speed detachable six-seater chairs, as well as four high-speed gondolas, giving it one of the most modern and efficient lift systems there is.

Despite its southerly latitude, Andorra's ski villages are at a high altitude and, even in poor snow winters, more than 1,000 snow guns can be fired up to cover most of the pistes.

The giant ski area has plenty for all levels of skier, but is predominantly made up of wide, fast blues and reds above the tree line. There are excellent nursery slopes and highly regarded ski schools to teach beginners. For experts there are fewer opportunities, but still 23 black runs - the toughest, arguably, the 2km (1.2-mile) Avet run (No 15). Off-piste courses and heli-ski excursions are organised by the ski school.

The range of things to do off the slopes is continually expanding in Soldeu and its neighbouring Grandvalira resort villages. In Soldeu itself the new swimming pool and spa complex, the Sport Wellness Mountain Spa, is a luxurious attraction.  

Nearby in Canillo there's a sports centre with indoor ice rink, squash courts and a medium-sized indoor pool. Near Pas de La Casa there's an ice driving circuit you can tackle in a car or a kart. Snowshoeing, snowmobiling and dog sledding are also available.

Soldeu has exceptionally good facilities for children during the ski day. As well as being designed to a high standard, a big difference to some other European ski resorts' facilities is that staff are both friendly and professional, many imported from Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

A non-ski nursery accepts children aged from two to four. Special ski school classes in a purpose-designed snow garden, with indoor facilities when children are off the snow, are offered to children aged three and older. These are located at Espiolets on the mountain, reached by gondola from Soldeu.

Andorra's duty-free status make it a shopper's mecca, particularly for normally highly taxed items including alcohol, tobacco, perfume and, if you've driven down, petrol. Consumer electronics and fashion clothing are also widely available.

Soldeu itself has only a limited selection of shops, but many people make the short trip to the provincial capital La Vella to visit the wide-ranging shopping facilities, including department stores.

Soldeu has a long-standing reputation for its lively après-ski scene, fuelled by Mediterranean sunshine and affordable alcohol. There are plenty of bars and five nightclubs.

Although bars are open all day and are busy as soon as the lifts close, serious partying typically starts at around 2300, or 0100 for clubs, and lasts until 0300 (bars) or 0400 (clubs), when private parties may continue in accommodations or you can grab the first croissant of the day at the bakery.

Popular spots include the Aspen Bar or Esquí Pub as well as Avalanche, which has a predominantly British atmosphere and is frequented by local staff after work.

Soldeu has a good range of restaurants that are typically relaxed and affordable.  

Borda del Rector is a traditional Catalan restaurant (located on the road out of Soldeu towards El Tarter). It has an open fire and often has live music. It will also collect diners from their accommodation and return them at the end of the evening, free of charge.

Fat Alberts Restaurant is one of  Soldeu's best known eateries, with one of the highest reputations for good food. It is located in one of the oldest surviving buildings in the village, an old cattle shed, behind the Hotel Himalaya.

Most accommodation, ski lifts and facilities are within easy walking distance of each other. A ski bus service circulates around the village and between ski area bases. Driving can be difficult due to road overcrowding and limited parking.

Book in for a day, or more, of professional pampering at the spectacular Caldea spa in the nearby provincial capital, La Vella (www.caldea.ad).

Luxury

Sport Hotel
Rated somewhere between 4 and 5 stars, this is a spectacular new hotel next to the gondola in the village centre, complete with wonderful spa.

Carretera General
Tel: 870 550.
Website: www.sporthotels.ad

Moderate

Hotel Naudi
A 3-star hotel with its own restaurant and bar located towards the top of the village and 200m (360ft) from the gondola.

Carretera General
Tel: 851 148.
Website: www.hotelnaudi.com

Budget

Hotel Roc
Part British-run, affordable hotel with all facilities and a good restaurant.

Carretera General
Tel: 851 079.
Website: www.hotel-roc.com

Nearest airports: Toulouse (TLS); Barcelona (BCN).

Distances to resort: 177km (110 miles); 186km (116 miles).

Driving times: 2 hours 15 minutes; 3 hours.

Beginners, Après ski, Intermediates, Families, Snowboarders