Pas de la Casa: piste guide

The slopes above Pas de la Casa are all open, and vulnerable to bad weather. But there is some attractively wooded terrain over the ridge in the Grau Roig valley. From there a single lift goes on further west to the rest of the Grandvalira ski area. In the opposite direction out of Pas de la Casa, a six-pack serving two runs heads towards another ridge and the French border. There is now night skiing twice a week.

Fast lifts

Fast chairs exist, but they are outnumbered by slow ones and drags.

Queues

Queues are rarely serious during the week, except at key bottlenecks. But at weekends and French school holidays some can develop, especially at Grau Roig.

Terrain parks

There’s a snowcross on the Pas de la Casa side, and a park above Grau Roig.

Snow reliability

The combination of height and lots of snowmaking means good snow reliability, but we’ve generally found snow quality to be better in the Soldeu sector.

Experts

There are few challenges on-piste, but there seem to be plenty of off-piste slopes inviting exploration – above Grau Roig, in particular.

Intermediates

The local slopes suit confident intermediates best – especially those over the ridge, above Grau Roig; more timid intermediates would be better off based in Soldeu.

Beginners

There are beginner slopes in Pas and Grau Roig. The Pas de la Casa area is a short but inconvenient bus ride out of town. Progression to longer runs is easier in the Grau Roig sector.

Snowboarding

Boarding is popular with the young crowd that the resort attracts. Drags are usually avoidable.

Cross-country

There are 8km of loops near Grau Roig.

Schools and guides

The ski school has a high reputation, but a past reporter complained of big classes.

Families

There are ski kindergartens at Pas de la Casa and Grau Roig, and a non-ski one at the latter for one-to-four-year-olds. 

Where to Ski

This guide is taken from Where to Ski, edited by Chris Gill.