25/10/2007 - Grandvalira presents the 07-08 season with great optimism
The largest skiable area in the Pyrenees has invested 12.5 million euros in artificial snow equipment, new slopes and more high quality services and activities.
Grandvalira held a press conference today for the 2007-2008 season. Conrad Blanch, Managing Director of Grandvalira, emphasised that after the last season, “we are looking forward to this season with great optimism”. Grandvalira has invested 12.5 million euros this season in improvements, of which 3 million were earmarked for promotion. Blanch added that Grandvalira is working to provide the highest quality and excellence in all facets of its operations. One sign of this are the 1,500 employees who have been contracted for the winter season to work in the resort.
More and better snow
Maite Núñez, marketing director of Grandvalira, explained the improvements for this season. Of particular interest is the increased number of snow cannons this season, which has reached 1,065 units, guaranteeing 90km of slopes at the resort. The increase in snow creating capacity, due directly to increased efficiency, guarantees better skiing and snowboarding conditions and easier traversing between areas.
Events
In recent months intensive work has been undertaken to condition the Avet slope at Grandvalira-Soldeu. In February of 2008 the Women’s European Cup will be held there and things are looking good for the World Cup candidacy. The installation of up to 30 cannons, a finish line with chronometer, and a fixed 500 meter long safety net helped to prepare the slope for the event. Also, a freeride slope was inaugurated on Pic Blanc which must be done with an instructor.
Other improvements include a better freestyle zone, a great improvement for Grandvalira, and one which has led to the creation of a new area specifically for this: the Isards Park at Grandvalira-Pas de la Casa, an environmentally friendly park, the modules are made with recycled materials and powered by solar energy. The NRJ Snow Contest Tour will be held there.
Grandvalira, a resort for everyone
Nuñez also explained that in the area of services, children under the age of 11 years old could now become members of the Mickey Snow Club, where members can take advantage of the school, the restaurants and other external services.
In addition to all this, the skiing and snowboarding schools now have more to offer: freeride areas, women’s areas and elite ski workshops, which concentrate on specific modalities. And now there are more activities on offer, with the Pla d’Espiolets de Grandvalira-El Tarter centre, where you can go dog sledding or paragliding.
50 years of history at Grandvalira-Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig
Maite Núñez, at the end of the conference, mentioned that it has been 50 years since the first lift was installed in Pas de la Casa, which means that it is party time at Grandvalira.
In the spirit of celebration of this historic day, Nuñez explained that throughout the season there will be various activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary.
Market expansion and diversification
Despite the unusual season last year, Sergi Juanós, sales manager of Grandvalira, was very positive, saying that this year the resort could reach sales of 1.8 million day ski passes. Juanós further explained that there has been a change in reservation tendencies, with people reserving their winter vacations less in advance. However, the responses that are being received throughout the entire sector are creating very positive expectations.
This year Grandvalira took part, for the first time, in ski fairs which were held in places such as Poland and Denmark. This was part of a strategy of expansion and diversification into new markets, especially in the East and North. Throughout the season Grandvalira will participate in promotional activities in 21 different countries.
Also Grandvalira will concentrate its efforts on consolidating existing markets, such as the Russian market. Every year the resort, and also Andorra as a whole, is receiving more Russian visitors throughout the season.
As far as improvements in the ski pass area, Juanós explained that children’s passes have not increased for this season and that the supplement to go to Grandvalira with the Funicamp is no longer valid. Lastly, the one day area pass which was previously offered has been cancelled.
This weekend, from the 26th to the 28th of October, Grandvalira will take part in the Andorra de la Vella Fair and all skiers and snowboarders who purchase a season pass during this time will be entered in a drawing for season Ski Andorra passes and ski equipment.
. Von Zeit zu Zeit habe ich auf Nevasport die Meldungen zum Projekt durchgelesen (nichts neues ... lokale Bevölkerung grossteils dafür, da man sich Arbeitsplätze erhofft, Umweltgrupierungen, typischerweise aus anderen Orten Spaniens, dagegen, da ja der Lebensraum von ein paar Bären wesentlich wichtiger ist als die Rettung der Täler vor der Auswanderung ... Kundgebungen und Gegenkundgebungen. In diesem Zusammenhang ist vielleicht nur die Tatsache interessant, dass in Spanien auch die Projektbefürworter sehr lautstark sind, Demos organisieren, auf den Gipfel steigen und dort Transparente für den Bau zeigen - in unseren Breitengraden gibt es immer nur von Verhinderern zu lesen/hören). Anfang Juni hat man auf der offiziellen HP der Projektbetreiber: 
. Aber immerhin, ich glaube dass man das Gebiet in Augen behalten sollte, mein Instinkt sagt mir dass wir dort in einigen Jahren Bagger sehen werden 
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Bin nämlöich nächste Woche in den Pyrenäen und brauche in die 2 Gebiete wohl noch nicht hinzufahren 
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