If you’re after affordable ski-ing with some fantastic runs, and want to hit the bars as hard as you hit the slopes (although it’s not as rowdy as it used to be) Andorra’s picturesque Soldeu (meaning ‘Sun God’) could offer the perfect winter break destination.

Set in a long, attractively wooded valley and lining the busy road which runs down from France and on to Spain, the slopes at Soldeu link with Pas de la Casa to make up the Grandvalira ski area. El Tarter, just a few miles down the valley, also has major lifts. Snow is reliable, there are wide mountain views from the most north-facing slopes and the pistes are carefully groomed.

For sheer size, Grandvalira rivals many an Alpine ski-ing area. A steep hillside runs from the village down to the river, with all the slopes to be found on the opposite side. A gondola or a six-pack from the village takes you up to the pistes at Espiolets, and there is also an inexpensive, regular valley bus.