Skiing in Windy Andorra
We were wiped out and slept in on Monday. We had our first breakfast at the hotel, and it was delicious! The hotel's pastries and fresh fruit were excellent. For weeks, all I've had for breakfast is croissants and orange juice, so I was delighted that they would fix me "porridge" (oatmeal)! It doesn't take much to make me happy, does it?!
We were checking out the ski conditions from our breakfast window. There was some fresh snow that fell overnight, and it was still flurrying out, but visibility was good. The lifts had just started running, and we noticed a group of about 12 skiers, similarly dressed, that were practicing "synchronized skiing"! We had never seen that before! It looked a lot like the Blue Angels performing at an air show. It was pretty cool to watch!
Brock had gone out to ski for a few hours on Sunday by himself, but this was my first day to ski in Andorra. This is by far the best ski set-up we've experienced on this trip. When we first arrived, the bellmen took our ski equipment to a VIP locker room for our hotel which is just down the street from us and in the same building as the gondola. The ski boots get heated and dried overnight.
This morning, we dressed to ski but put our street boots on and walked a short distance outside to get to the locker room. How cushy! While you pour yourself coffee and nibble on a pastry, the attendant brings your boots and ski's out to you. She then unbuckles the boots for you. I believe if you asked her for help putting on your ski boots, she would gladly oblige.
We have worn these ski boots for at least 3 years! We've gotten our money's worth out of them, for sure.
My Blizzard Bonafide ski's are 4 or 5 years old and still going strong. Brock's Head Monster ski's are about 3 years old. They have served us well.
Care for any coffee or pastries?
The attendant, Fleur, took good care of us today.
All we had to do was step outside the locker room, and we were walking right onto the gondola and on our way up to the top of the mountain in Soldeu!
As soon as we got up on the mountain, the wind got stronger and the visibility was reduced. Brock had complained yesterday that the skiing was hard-packed. I understand why. The wind blows all the fresh snow right off the top, and what's left is the hard-packed icy surface below. We found some good skiing until the wind started blowing stronger.
The little town of Soldeu is behind Brock.
Soldeu and the neighboring town, El Tarter, are preparing to host the FIS World Cup Finals in 2023! Put it on your calendar!
Soldeu hosted a women's World Cup race in 2012.
We had a fun time skiing, spending 2 or 3 hours between Soldeu and El Tarter. When we got tired, we returned our ski's and boots to the locker room, put on our more comfortable shoes, and had lunch at a nice restaurant right near the gondola house, slope side. We enjoyed tasty tacos made with lamb, and nachos with guacamole.
As we returned to our hotel, we walked through the "Glass Bar" and noticed that they put out some cute Easter decorations. The decorations are sitting on top of mirrors, which makes for an interesting effect.
After lunch, we stretched, took naps, and took full advantage of the spa and pool. How relaxing!
We had a fantastic dinner at an Italian restaurant across the street from our hotel. Brock out-ordered me. He had a caprese "salad" served on tasty pita bread, and lasagna served in a small cast iron skillet.
We are having a wonderful time!