Andorra’s Grandvalira ski region, the largest in the Pyrenees, is making major changes to the base of its ski slopes by the resort village of Soldeu this summer.
Ever since the ski area opened in 1964 the slopes have ended in a relatively confined snow base area with bridges crossing a small valley with a river running in it to take skiers across to the resort’s main street with its hotels, apartments and restaurants.
However this summer a huge platform is being built over part of this area to greatly increase the level ground space at the base of the runs. The platform will offer almost 16,000 square metres of space and will integrate parking for 450 cars and trucks underneath, simultaneously addressing a separate problem Soldeu has faced for many years of limited parking.
The construction is being driven by Soldeu-Grandvalira preparing to host Andorra’s first World Cup Finals next winter which will be the largest event ever in alpine skiing in the country.
The platform, due to be completed for November, will provide a much bigger area at the base of World Cup race course for the finals, and will also be a big improvement for skiers and boarders in the years ahead.
