Andorra's box.

Byline: By Lisa Walsh South Wales Echo 

If the Olympics has given you a taste for winter sports, try Andorra. It's a real hidden gem as LISA WALSH discovered...

FOR a long time this small country, surrounded by the Pyrenees, between Spain and France, has had the reputation of being the nightclub capital of the slopes. Full of young Brits overindulging and taking advantage of its duty-free state.

But with huge investment in new gondolas, high-speed chair lifts and some plush four-star hotels, it is slowly shedding its downmarket reputation.

I was pleasantly surprised by the range of skiing and the sheer number of interlinked pistes. I hadn't expected to be able to ski a full morning and not reach the furthermost point. And our base in the capital Andorra la Vella was most civilised.

There are three skiable areas in Andorra - Vallnord, Grandvalira and the cross-country resort of La Rabassa.

We explored Grandvalira on our first day, the biggest resort with 193km of slopes and 64 lifts, including a new detachable six-man lift linking Pas de la Casa on the French side to the new skiable area of Porte des Neiges.

The views are incredible and the vast slopes are fantastic for intermediate level cruising and, so I'm told, great for off-piste snowboarding.

But the best thing of all was the crowds - there weren't any. We didn't have to queue for lifts, my pet hate on the slopes. There was more than enough room for everyone including the snowboarders. And as an added bonus, the restaurants and bars were very cheap compared to the Alps.

We found the most fantastic cosy place for a break called Refugi Del Llacs De Pessons. Located high on the mountain in front of a stunning lake. You can eat a local dish in front of a roaring fire for as little as 10 Euros.

Andorra's real gem, however, is the skiable area of Vallnord. Last season the resorts of Pal-Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalis were merged to create Vallnord, Andorra's 'snow paradise'.

There is no accommodation at the base of the slopes, access is by a windy mountain road or by gondola from the village of La Massana.

Smaller than GrandValira, with 89 km of slopes and 42 lifts, Pal is more sheltered by the trees and offers some wonderful runs, while Arcalis is the locals' favourite with some more challenging skiing. It has both free style and family areas and offers a new favourite of mine, snow mobiling.

And if launching yourself down the mountain isn't for all members of the family Andorra offers another favourite pastime - shopping.

The capital Andorra la Vella is just 6km away from both ski resorts and is proving popular with a good selection of reasonably priced hotels.

With over 2,000 stores, shopping is almost as vast as the slopes. Designer clothes, electrical goods and perfume shops are in abundance and with competitive prices.

So, my advice would be to discover Andorra before the rest of Europe cottons on to this wonderful, unique little country with its great skiing, good local cuisine and friendly people - before you have to queue for the ski lifts. 5 things to do: Visit Caldea (left), Europe's largest natural thermal spa pool, in Andorra la Vella. The perfect way to relax after a day on the slopes. General admission costs just under 30 euro for three hours. Totally indulge yourself with one of the many beauty treatments or 'A La Carte' programmes on offer at Caldea. For a real gastric treat visit Roc De Les Bruixes at the base of the slopes in the Canillo area of Grandvalira. A table must be booked and the price is from 60 euro but it serves probably the best duck in the world! Try snowmobiling. Expensive at around 45 euro per half-hour for one person, it is well worth it for the adrenaline rush. Shop 'til you drop and take advantage of the duty-free bargains, especially good for some new ski gear. Getting there: Just over three hours from Barcelona in Spain or Toulouse in France, you have a choice of airports. Lisa travelled National Express from Cardiff to Heathrow then with British Airways to Barcelona with flights for as little as pounds 100 return. Lisa stayed at the Art Hotel in Andorra La Vella, which is located on the main shopping street, around 6km from the slopes and costs around 68 euro (app pounds 45) per night. For travel information contact www.skiandorra.ad