Snow report
Conditions throughout Europe and North America remain excellent, and the forecast is for fresh top-ups. Our near neighbours in Scotland have had a much-needed snowy week, and their ski areas are reopening.
For up-to-date snow conditions, check your destination on www.skiclub.co.uk. Free six-day forecasts are available at www.snow-forecast.com. More than 4,000 webcams can be accessed on
www.snoweye.com.
Kitwatch
The German outdoor-clothing specialist Schoffel is the first manufacturer to incorporate d3o into its regular clothing line. D3o is a rubber-looking material that becomes stiff on impact. It should be ideal for protecting skiers and boarders from blunt collisions or falls. Snow and Rock, at Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin, stocks the Protector model, which has this smart material in the elbows and shoulders. www.snowandrock.com.
5 for tweens and teens
- Steamboat, Colorado.
- Les Arcs, France.
- Formigal, Spain.
- Mayrhofen, Austria.
- Davos, Switzerland.
What’s on
Reach for the Peaks Ski and Board Charity Challenge, February 28th-March 3rd. This on-snow event aims to get participants to ski 24 peaks in 48 hours at four ski areas in Austria. Money raised is split between 30 named charities – or you can nominate your own. Each participant is expected to raise at least €1,700. www.tallstories.co.uk.
Twin tips
- Once a year, wash your jacket and pants in waterproofing renewal solutions. Nikwak's TX Direct is a simple and affordable product that claims to guarantee waterproofing and breathability. www.nikwax.co.uk.
- Shorter skis are easier to control – if you're learning and feel swamped, don't be afraid to ask for smaller ones.
And finally
- Salzburg Snow Shuttle, run by the city bus company, departs each day at 8.30am for one of six nearby resorts. The return journey leaves the resorts at 4pm. A daily ticket is €13, and Kitzbuhel and Zell am See are both included on the itineraries. Perfect for short breaks when resort accommodation can be difficult to find and for those keen to stay in one of Europe's most beautiful cities.
Resort of the week: Soldeu, Andorra
In the 1980s and 1990s Soldeu established a reputation for being cheap, cheerful and a little rowdy. Following some nifty marketing, new lifts, upgraded hotels and higher prices, its competition is increasingly Austria and France rather than Bulgaria and Romania.
In terms of terrain, Soldeu, as part of the Grandvalira ski area, easily compares with the biggest in Europe. Early intermediate skiers would struggle to cover all the runs in a week. For beginners, Soldeu remains an ideal place to learn, and a child-friendly focus ensures that parents and kids alike can lean to ski.
Andorra wouldn’t win any prizes for being the most interesting country to visit, but as a ski and boarding centre it has made huge progress.
Experts will not be challenged on piste, although the small number of advanced skiers and boarders who holiday here results in less competition for those chiselling out the first tracks after a big snowfall.
SnowparksOne.
Resort height1,800m.
Range1,710m-2,640m.
Lifts66.
Total runs193km.
Longest runEight kilometres.
Best runLlosada. With the sun out this red-blue route is a delightful hybrid of wide steeps funnelling into gentle easy wood-lined trails.
Season lengthMid-December to early April.
Snow reliability***
Who goesA growing number of Irish and British families. First-time skiers. Snowboarders who stay for the season.
ValueThe area ski pass is one of the more expensive in Europe, and mountain restaurants can be pricey. Otherwise, Andorra retains its value-for-money reputation.
Insider tipsThe cheapest area in Europe to buy snowgear, Andorra has some cracking shops – including the reputable Loaded, in the village – selling the latest clothes and equipment.
AirportsTarbes, Girona and Toulouse.
Tour operatorsCrystal, Directski, Panorama, Sunway and Topflight.