With much investment into the country’s ski resorts in the past few years, it is no surprise that Andorra is becoming a hot spot for school ski trips. The Vallnord Resort in particular is becoming ever more popular with its wide variety of après ski activities, English speaking ski schools and its fun atmosphere. I had a chat to MSG Tours Director Glenn Martin to get his take on the Vallnord Resort, Andorra and why he thinks it is becoming so popular with school groups.
KP: Why do you think school ski trips to Andorra have become so popular in the past few years?
GM: I think one main reasons is its value for money. In the past few years they have invested considerably in infrastructure and so it has lost its tag of cheap and cheerful and it is becoming quite upmarket. The Vallnord resort is made up of 3 sectors and so essentially you are getting 3 for the price of 1. Along with this the skiing is amazing and covers beginners, intermediates and advanced across 67 different ski runs, meaning there really is something for everyone in the group. You can also choose when you visit Vallnord as it is great in the February half term and you can also be snow sure for Easter.
What is your favourite aspect of the Vallnord resort?
I can’t just choose one, as a whole it is an ideal destination for school ski trips! We have a brilliant selection of hotels, one in particular that works really well for larger groups, especially as it is just 10 minutes from the lifts. The ski schools are excellent as they have 250 instructors split across the 3 sectors and the instructors will adapt to your timetable.
Why is the Après so good at the Vallnord Resort?
There is such a good variety of après at Vallnord offering something for all ages and the whole resort has an exciting, fun atmosphere. I think the best thing is the tax free shopping which all the children (and the teachers) enjoy, not to mention the ice rink and bowling facilities too.
What are the travel options to Vallnord?
There are various ways to travel to Vallnord. If you decide to take a flight as part of the journey then you can do a city break in Barcelona! The resort is a 3.5-hour drive from Barcelona and so you can go from skiing in the morning to being on the beach or exploring the city of Barcelona in the afternoon. It is the best of both worlds. On the other hand, you can enjoy a coach journey from your school, across to Calais and then travel through France to Andorra.
What do you think of the facilities at Vallnord?
The facilities are fantastic. You can walk out of the hotel and you are in the town, which is brilliant for the children, lots of coffee shops, gift shops and places for them to go and explore. It is very safe and I have always felt comfortable with the group exploring the area.
Describe Vallnord in 3 words.
Great school destination
Seeing is believing and so we invite you to travel with us to experience a wonderful ski trip in this small but exciting European country. Enquire with us here.