The Grandvalira Andorra ski area has been the setting for some of the most notable sporting events in the disciplines of alpine skiing, flying kilometre and freestyle.
Since 2008, when Soldeu El Tarter hosted a European Cup alpine skiing event for the first time, and in 2012, when it debuted as a World Cup venue, Andorra has built a solid reputation as an organiser of elite competitions. This race track reached a new milestone in 2023, with the exciting World Cup Finals, which consolidated Soldeu El Tarter's position as a benchmark in international alpine skiing.
Andorra's candidatures for the 2027 and 2029 World Championships have been a crucial step on this path to excellence. Although they did not succeed in being awarded the organisation of these events, their proposals represented an opportunity to demonstrate the organisational capacity, commitment and ambition of an entire country. Thanks to these candidacies, Andorra has strengthened its infrastructure and refined its experience in large-scale events, positioning itself as a strong contender for future dreams.
The focus is currently on three key objectives: becoming a regular World Cup host, hosting the Women's Speed World Cup on the Àliga course in 2026, and organising the first Men's Technical World Cup on the Avet course in 2027. These goals, already included in the provisional FIS calendar, underline the vision of Andorra as a global sporting reference in the Pyrenees.
2012, a thrill-packed event
The 2012 Andorra Ski World Cup was a historic event both for the country and for Grandvalira. It was the first time that Andorra had hosted the World Cup and demonstrated its ability to organise elite world competitions.
The work undertaken to prepare the event was outstanding.
Top French skier Tessa Worley shone throughout the competition and became the first skier to win a World Cup on the Avet slope, where Marlies Schild won one of the countless slalom victories of her long career.
The exclusive Rossignol brand skis were also launched and produced in a limited 300-unit run, with a special design for the World Cup. These skis were marketed exclusively in Andorra.
The General Director of the World Cup Organizing Committee, Conrad Blanch, expressed his confidence that the event would be a success for the whole of Andorra, and would promote the Grandvalira ski domain and the country in general. Major audiovisual production and television coverage was prepared to attract international attention.
2016, an unforgettable sporting event
The 2016 Ski World Cup saw the presentation of slope to World Cup fans.
US skier, Lindsey Vonn, excelled in the speed trials, despite not winning. Her presence enriched the competition and showcased her talent.
The Italian skier, Federica Brignone, took gold in the Super Giant slalom while the Canadian, Marie-Michele Gagnon, was fastest in a competition marked by heavy snowfall that put the Organizing Committee to the test.
The Andorran skier Mireia Gutiérrez was an outstanding representative for local skiing and competed bravely. Her participation was a source of pride for Andorra and captivated the public.
The World Cup demonstrated Andorra’s organisational capacity, with slopes in perfect condition and a vibrant atmosphere. This event established Andorra as a major destination for ski lovers and led to a significant increase in winter sports tourism.
2019, dominated by Hirscher and Shiffrin
The 2018-2019 World Cup circuit saw a clear dominance by the skiers Marcel Hirscher of Austria and Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States. Both showed their superiority over the other skiers. Hirscher became the second most successful skier of all time, behind only Ingemar Stenmark, while Shiffrin, the third most successful woman skier in history, set a record of 15 World Cup wins in a single year.
With just one race to go, Marcel Hirscher had already won the giant slalom and slalom events. It would take a major turnaround to stop him from becoming outright champion, having won the competition in the previous seven editions. Shiffrin, meanwhile, had already secured the title both for the season and for the slalom.
Andorra took part in the team Parallel competition with the outstanding athletes Mireia Gutierrez, Sissi Hinterreitner, Axel Esteve and Alex Rius. Andorra’s involvement in this international competition was thrilling as the team had the chance to showcase their talent and proudly represent their country at home.
2023, a year of records
The 2023 Alpine Ski World Cup Finals in Andorra were a huge success for the country. The FIS praised the Grandvalira resort and stated that the Finals exceeded expectations, thus giving Andorra a good chance of hosting the World Championships.
Mikaela Shiffrin, who was outstanding in the women’s competition, achieved a record 88 victories and also won the overall Crystal Globe.
In the men’s category, Lucas Braathen won his first Crystal Globe, and Ramon Zenhaeusern won the slalom. Marco Odermatt accumulated more points in a single season than any other male skier in history.
The Finals have been praised for their organisation and hospitality, which highlighting Andorra’s suitability for major sporting events. Public attendance was outstanding, with over 6,000 spectators per day.
2023, Grandvalira Soldeu and Club5 Ski Classics
Grandvalira Soldeu joins as an affiliated member of the Club5 Ski Classics, a union of the leading organizers of alpine ski races worldwide. The designation was the result of a unanimous meeting in Zurich, where Soldeu's commitment and quality in organizing World Cup events were highlighted.
With the addition of Grandvalira Soldeu, the Club5 now reaches 20 members.
2024 Women's World Cup on the 60th anniversary of Soldeu
In February 2024, Soldeu shone once again on the competition calendar of the world’s best alpine skiers. The Avet course, well-known and appreciated by athletes, became the scene of an impressive display of perseverance and sporting prowess.
Skiers with a strong link to Andorra gave outstanding performances, such as Lara Gut, who remembers Soldeu as one of the first places where she stood out in the European Cup in its early days. Alice Robinson also made her mark, achieving a remarkable second place in the giant slalom, reaffirming her affinity for the Avet course, where she had already excelled in 2019 by obtaining second place in the World Cup finals as the wildcard junior.
It was a World Cup full of intense emotions and fun, creating a perfect atmosphere for the athletes and their teams, who enjoyed one of the best weekends of the season.
