Andorra - First Class Skiing For 2009

European mountain range the Pyrenees is known for some great ski holiday resorts. Located on the borders of Spain and France, they offer skiers some of the best slopes in the world. Though many visitors choose to stay in either Spain or France, there is one more option. For the best in skiing, services and hospitality, the tiny country of Andorra should be your holiday destination.

Andorra is located in the Pyrenees surrounded by Spain and France. Once an isolated and unknown land, it is now a highly prosperous country because of her tourism industry. At an average of 83.5 years, the people of Andorra claim the highest life expectancy in the world. Because of its position within the mountains, the country doesn't have much in common with the rest of Europe, except for Spain and France. It's gone through many changes over the years, like being occupied by France and declaring war on imperial Germany during World War I.

Today, Andorra enjoys its status as the skiing tourist's hotspot. Nine million visitors come to the country every year to enjoy its slopes and world class resorts. Its duty free status is another reason that it has so many visitors, as goods can be purchased much cheaper than in the rest of Europe.

Grandvalira, the largest ski resort in Andorra, is getting more visitors every year. Thanks to an abundance of early snowfall for the 2008/9 season, the resort opened earlier than usual.

Soldeu, a prime ski holidays village, has good four and five star hotels, with other accommodation and Andorra hotels available in other skiing areas.

Skiers at the beginning of this year's ski holidays season enjoyed three feet of good snow. With the snowfall the resort is likely to be able to maintain 100% percent ski lift use and 95 percent slope use through to April.

Another reason that Grandvalira has had such an increase in tourist traffic in recent years was the celebration of Pas de la Casa's fiftieth anniversary.

Pas de la Casa was the original name of the ski resort that was integrated into Grandvalira. To celebrate this, Grandvalira presented a full schedule of events for visitors. They included various sporting events, a skier's statue inauguration, and a week dedicated to the history of the resort's cuisine. Even Mickey Mouse got in on the action by making an appearance at the ski and snowboard school for photos.

In recent years, France and Spain have had their share of tourists, but Andorra has also been a very popular winter destination. From skiing the many kilometers of slopes to shopping for luxury items in duty free shops, the tiny country of Andorra has something for every winter holidaymaker. Its tiny size makes it ideal for focusing on skiing. This year's ski holidays season will be even better than other recent years, and the snow will hopefully keep falling.