Ski Soldeu: resort guide - Telegraph Village is spread along a busy through-road, lacking atmosphere Slopes can get very crowded Very little to interest experts Expensive lift pass, and beginners may be charged the full cost Not much to do off the slopes Village charm An urban ribbon The village is an ever-growing ribbon of modern hotels, apartments and bars, with the occasional shop; the buildings have traditional stone cladding and mostly chalet-style roofs. Sounds OK, but it isn't; this is not a place to wander about at teatime - there is no focus or atmosphere, and traffic on the through-road can be heavy and sometimes fast. Convenience Over the river A steep hillside leads down from the village to the river, and the slopes are on the opposite side. A gondola from village level or a six-pack takes you to the heart of the slopes at Espiolets, and a wide bridge across the river forms the end of the piste home, with elevators to take you up to street level. There are ski lockers at the bottom or top of the gondola. Along the road down to El Tarter, hotels and apartments are sold by tour operators under the Soldeu banner - so check where your proposed accommodation is if you want to avoid long walks or lots of bus rides. There is a valley bus running every 20 minutes (1.40 euros). Scenery Unremarkable Soldeu sits in a long, quite attractively wooded valley - more hospitable than Pas de la Casa's setting - and from the slopes there are wide mountain views, but they don't include much of a dramatic nature. Snow reliability Much better than people expect Despite its name (Soldeu means Sun God) the slopes generally enjoy reliable snow. Most slopes are north-facing, with a good natural snow record; there's extensive snowmaking, and excellent grooming helps maintain good snow - "Snow machines and piste-bashers worked wonders," said a 2012 reporter. Schools and guides One of the best for Brits The school is well set up to deal with the huge numbers of beginner Brits, with a dedicated team of mostly native English-speaking instructors led by an Englishman. Reporters are almost all extremely positive (only one dissenting voice in the last few years), and a 2012 visitor said the school was "brilliant - catered for our mixed ability group well, and our eight year old progressed quickly." For families Unconvincing Soldeu doesn't strike us as a great place for families, with its busy through-road and remote slopes. Whether skiing or not, children are looked after at the mid-mountain stations. There are nurseries and snow gardens for children aged three to six at various points, and a kids" circuit with themed runs at Riba Escorxada above El Tarter.