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One of the most popular resorts in Andorra, if not the Pyrenees, Soldeu has a lot going for it. It is cheap, with fairly reliable snow and plenty of sun. While the lift system is quite old, heavy investment has enabled major improvements over the last ten years. It has one of the most highly rated ski schools in Europe and, with most of the pistes (totalling 86 km) catering to beginners and early intermediates, it's a great place to learn. For advanced skiers there isn't too much, but you can get a snowcat tow to the Piz de Encampanada for good off-piste. There is also cheap heli-skiing on offer. Boarders, too, are well provided for, with a specialist park and a half-pipe. The village itself appears to have been beaten with the ugly stick, but there are some decent hotels. Some of the self-catering accommodation could fall a little short of demands. There are a couple of decent mountain restaurants, but the rest are little more than average. In the town there is a considerable selection of eateries at reasonable prices, but there really isn't much to do other than skiing. The atmosphere is fantastic and out-charms Soldeu's Andorran relatives. In spite of a less-than-raucous nightlife it is still a lively village, but mostly bar-based. Overall, Soldeu is an excellent venue for beginners and second-timers, with decent skiing, all-round good value and occasionally decent nightlife. It is 220km from Barcelona and its airport, so motion sickness would be a definite disadvantage.
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