For the most part the whole GrandValira region is covered with everything from easy, cruisy blues to fast challenging reds that criss-cross down the mountains. In total there are 38 blue slopes and 32 reds. You'll find varied terrain to play with, from big wide gullies above the tree-line to short sharp funs through the forest. In general head to the higher slopes for intermediate and high level reds, or stick to the lower area for the very wide blue run which goes back down to the town and is ideal for all levels.

You'll find 22 black pistes in the GrandValira region, with some steep slalom slopes at Pas de la Casa that are always fun. In good snow conditions there is wicked off-piste to be found at Pic D'Encampadana and Riba Escorxada. You'll find quite a lot to keep you busy across the area, including a great new GrandValira tour itinerary, but in general this is more of an intermediate region.

The ski schools in the Grandvalira are of a very high standard and have a great reputation. Many of the 180 instructors speak English, and prices are competitive. In Pas de la Casa the assembly point for the ski school is behind the Olympia shopping centre.

Ski Schools in Grandvalira are known as "Escola D'Esqui i Snowboard". Their details can be found on www.grandvalira.com/escola but the individual phone number for Pas de la Casa is 376 871 920.

The hills are alive with the sound of après-ski at Pas de la Casa, a major party town with rowdy action that continues around the clock. There are dozens of bars, pubs and clubs covering ally types of music and hosting numerous massive weekly parties that draw young people from across Europe. KSB or El Tupí are good bars to start out at (and they turn into clubs at midnight), later on El Mexicano will be packed from wall to wall. Underground and Milwaukee are also very popular, as is Sabanah club. There are also more relaxed bars to chill out, have a drink or play a little pool at. There are around 50 restaurants and cafes in Pas de la Casa, so you have a decent amount of choice. Most of the restaurants are fairly reasonably priced and serve everything from Catalan specialties to fondues, raclettes to pizza and paella.

One of the main attractions at Pas de la Casa is the duty-free shopping, and many take the time out to hunt for a bargain. If all that bargain-hunting tires you out, make the short trip to the amazing Caldea spa at La Vella, with indoor and outdoor pools, fountains, waterfalls, saunas, a grapefruit bath, Turkish baths, hydrotherapy and massage. While you're there check out the quaint cobblestone streets and buildings in the old quarter. The Julia Bonet Foundation - Perfume Museum and the National Automobile Museum with its collection of vintage cars and bikes are also worth a visit. There's also: Snow mobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, igloo building, a fitness centre with swimming pool, tennis, squash and a gym, cross-country skiing, night skiing, bowling, a cinema, tobogganing, ice driving, heli-skiing, ice skating, ice hockey and more.

There are no airports in Andorra, so the nearest major airports are Barcelona (196 km) and Girona (177 km) in Spain and Toulouse (160 km).

You can buy a Novatel bus return ticket which will allow travel to and from the airport. This is the most practical option, with buses to the resort from the airports leaving several times a day. Alternatively you can also hire a car.

NOVATEL AUTOCARS - Buses, shuttles and transfers
Av, Tarragona 42 
Tel: 803789 - Fax: 867884 
novatel@andorrabybus.com 
Andorra la Vella 
http://www.andorrabybus.com/

If you want to travel to Pas de la Casa by train, first book a Eurostar from London to Paris. A Eurostar service leaves for Paris' Gare du Nord from London Waterloo at 17:09 and arrives at 20:59 daily. From Paris, get the overnight train to L'Hospitalet leaving from Paris' d'Austerlitz station at 21:56 and arriving at 07:25 the next morning. A regular bus to Pas de la Casa leaves from there. Thirty-seven kilometres from Pas de la Casa, Puigcerdà train station is serviced by Barcelona, and also has local buses heading to the resort. Buses from Madrid also arrive at the train station daily.

To drive to Pas de la Casa you'll first need to jump on the car ferry from Dover to Calais. The trip from Calais to Pas de la Casa is 1,143kms, taking around two days via Paris, Limoges and Toulouse along major tolled autoroutes, and ending on the N-22/E-9 to Pas de la Casa. Drive south from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport along the A-64, D-919 and the E-9 for 170kms, a journey taking 2 hours, 30 minutes. From El Prat Airport, head north after the A-18 to the E-09, E-9 in France, and the N-22 for 195kms; this trip takes three hours.