Chalet Motxo

Myself and my boyfriend stayed in the Chalet/Xalet Motxo in El Tarter between 2nd Jan and 9th Jan 2011. We had a twin room (last room available) which wasn't huge but had ample space for two people. It was kept clean and the shower was fantastic - just what you need after a long day of skiing!
Mike and Kez were the chalet hosts - both extremely helpful and friendly. The food they provided each day was good, with a simple but good breakfast (ham/cheese, yoghurts, toast, cereals, tea and coffee), an afternoon tea with cake and a 3 course evening meal. The meals ranged from a roast dinner (which they provided at 11pm when we arrived off our flight!) to lasagna, fajitas, etc. Expect lots of carbs, again just what you need after a heavy day on the slopes. You also get wine included with the evening meal.
You can also use the facilities at the next door Chalet Casale (computer with internet access, coin operated, pool table, large communal area and a quiz one night is held there).
Only downsides really were that we found it was very hot at night in the rooms, but we left the windows open and it was ok but at times difficult to sleep. Also the chalet is up a steep hill, so don't expect doorstep skiing. It's about a 15 min walk to the slopes but we found this no problem. If you want doorstep skiing go to the Nordic Hotel.
There's a club opposite the chalet but we didn't hear any noise from it the whole week inside the chalet.
There's a restaurant/bar called Dylans 2 mins down the road, which is nice for a post ski beer or lunch. El Tarter doesn't have much in the way of shops or restaurants, but the bus to Soldeu goes v regularly and takes 5 mins where there is more.
With regards to the ski resort itself, unfortunately there wasn't any snowfall during our stay, but the snow cannons kept most of the slopes open. And there is a great selection of slopes - if you get the full ski pass you can ski the full Grandvalira mountain area. About 180km of slopes I'm told, and it's a good range.
I'd highly recommend having lessons with the EL Tarter ski school - I am an experienced skiier and went into top intermediates, and did red/black runs and off pisteing learning lots the whole way around. My boyfriend was a beginner and by the end of the week was competently skiing blue runs. They have many English instructors and they all seemed excellent. The best way to book them I would say is through Neilson before you go, they are very expensive when you arrive (get a ski pack with Neilson).
We did 2 apres ski activities: both booked through our Neilson rep called Fin. The Merlot restaurant tasting evening in Soldeu cost 45 euros, but was incredible. A very small restuarant with a 5 course tasting evening with wines. If you get the chance to do this it is well worth the money, and as you have one evening in the chalet where no food is provided (hosts night off on Wed) it's perfect.
Our second apres activity was mushing with huskies. This was very disappointing and we wouldn't recommend it. Due to lack of snow the area was very icey, but we had a 2 min talk from someone with very little english about how to mush, then a 15 minute ride around in a circle. Not worth the 32 euros we paid, worth more like 5 euros!!
On our last day we also visited the Caldea spa in the capital city and loved it. It was reasonably pricey at 34 euros entry. But you get to use the sauna, steam room, jacuzzis, plunge pools, and main thermoludic pool which has an outside area that leaves you sat in a jacuzzi surrounded by mountains. There are treatments but again these are quite expensive.
Overall, we had a great time. The snow was a bit of a disappointment, so might be worth booking late to check the snow. We really enjoyed the 'chalet experience', staying with about 20 others who you get to know so despite the uphill walk after skiing we wouldn't have wanted to change for a hotel. We would highly recommend!

1 reader found this review helpful

First of all, let’s address the elephant in the room…this chalet is not ski in – ski out! A number of forums mention that it is a long way from the lifts, but in truth it is no more than about ten minutes. At the end of the day however, the trek uphill is a pain in the backside, but the accommodation is worth the extra physical effort. My advice? Hire a locker at the Nordic Ski shop; at 25 euros between four it is well worth it and you can walk down and back in trainers. As for ski hire, ignore Neilson/Thomson and book online with Snowbrainers. A decent set of skis, boots and poles was only just over £50 which is a lot cheaper than the tour operator, and you can store them at the shop for free! Now to the chalet. I would say it is one of the best I have stayed in; the rooms are comfortable and clean with good sized bathrooms and a pleasant communal dining/lounge area where there is a TV and DVD player etc. The chalet staff, Aidey and Kes are first class….nothing is too much trouble for them and they work very hard to make sure the guests have a great week. The food is good wholesome skiing grub….nothing too fancy (casseroles, lasagne, curry and shepherd’s pie etc) but plenty of it. Three courses every evening and lots of free wine meant no-one went hungry, especially after tea and cakes in the afternoon! All in all, a great ski week in a superb chalet at a very good resort. Just one final point on the skiing, ignore the ‘away day’ ski trip to Arcalis if you are anything other than a novice. The reps ‘sold’ it to us as a great resort for intermediates and this is absolutely not true. Beginners would enjoy the long motorway green and blue runs, but a reasonably competent skier/boarder would have done it all in a couple of hours. Save yourself 10 euros and one hour each way on the coach because it isn’t a patch on the Grandvilara ski area.