Ski resort Pal-Arinsal consists of two winter centers Pal and Arinsal, which are located 7 km from each other and are administratively united. The winter resorts of Pal and Arinsal are located in the western part of Andorra very close to the capital (9-12 km) and from the town of La Massana and have recently been part of the Valnord station. Both stations have at their disposal a modern technical base and a developed system of services.
Arinsal is ideal for the smallest and for beginner skiers, but it is here that the descent with the largest height difference is located – 1010 meters. The slopes of this resort face north, which usually determines the stability of the snow cover throughout the winter.
A skiing vacation in Arinsal (1550 m) is very comfortable, there are hotels and restaurants near the lower station of the modern gondola lift, and cozy sunny cafes located directly at the lift station will help to strengthen the strength of tourists in the middle of the day.
There are no nearby hotels in Pal la Caubella (1950 m), special shuttle buses take tourists to the ski slopes. The valley is closed on three sides by powerful mountain ranges, which create an exceptionally soft and comfortable microclimate. There are many gentle, comfortable trails for learning, but there are also difficult steep slopes. The differences in altitude here are moderate, and most of the slopes are of medium difficulty, making this place ideal for the smallest skiers and those who are taking their first steps in the world of skiing.
The pile, located in the territory of the nature park, is more suitable for skiers of an intermediate level of training. The descent routes are well equipped, fenced off from falls with side fences and marked.
A guaranteed skiing holiday in Pal can always be provided with a large number of artificial snow cannons (the largest number of them per kilometer of descent in Andorra), and the dignity of Arinsal in its wide and long slopes, where you can easily and safely accelerate, and on the top of the ridge there are steep and interesting tracks When there is enough snow, from the plateau-base of Comallempla (1950 m) you can ski down the forest ski slopes to the hotels of Arinsal (1550 m). Such a total height difference – 1000 m – is the largest on the ski slopes of all of Andorra. Routes: 4 – green, 16 – blue, 16 – red, 5 – black. The capacity of the resort is up to 30,400 people / hour. Ski tours in Pal Arinsal are recommended for beginners and intermediate skiers, there are schools available for learning and improving ski skills.
Map of the resort
Skiing area
The region is ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers. A distinctive feature of Arinsal (1,550 m) from other resorts in Andorra is the dizzying height difference (1,010 m), which allows experienced skiers to enjoy steep descents. Less experienced skiers will find slopes and tracks with gradually increasing difficulty for daily training.
Specifications
Altitude of the resort: 1950 m
The maximum height of the tracks (m): – 2560
Minimum height of tracks (m): – 1550
Total length of tracks (ha): – 707
Capacity (people / hour): – 30400
Number of tracks: – 41
– green: – 4
– blue: – 16
– red: – 16
– black: – 5
Number of lifts: – 30
– cabin: – 2
– armchairs: – 11
– bugle: – 17
– children’s: – 4
Number of snow guns: – 326
The slopes are deployed mainly to the north, which determines the stability of the snow cover throughout the winter. The forest landscape gives this area a special charm and protects well from the wind. The tracks run along the slopes of the ravine that runs between the peaks of Pic Alt de la Capa (2573 m) and Pic Negre (+2572 m), which descends to the mark of 1950 m, where the Arinsal ski base itself is located. In the peak season, when there is enough snow, you can ski down from the Comallempla plateau (1950 m) on forest ski slopes directly to the hotels located in the village of Arinsal (1550 m).
Pal is characterized by the largest number of snow cannons per kilometer of descent. A distinctive feature of this resort is the impeccable preparation of the slopes: with the help of high-tech equipment, a constant level of snow is maintained.
For snowboarders in Arinsal, 24 km of tracks of any difficulty level have been prepared.
There is also a slalom track, a freeride zone and the best freestyle zone, which has become the venue for international competitions. It is possible to order a heli-ski, which is not often found in ski resorts in Andorra.
Skiers descend on the slopes of a huge hollow – a valley that descends between the mountains Pic Alt de la Capa with a height of 2573 m and Pic Negre with a height of 2572 m to the mark of 1950 m, where there is a ski base with a full range of services for the reception of skiers. However, the very first skiing lessons are not so safe: the only slope with a gentle roll-out is always crowded with vacationers. The main advantage of the resort is its wide and long descents, where you can easily and quite safely accelerate, and steep and interesting tracks are laid at the top of the ridge. When there is enough snow, from the Comallempla plateau base (1,950 m) you can ski down the forest ski slopes to the hotels of the resort (1,550 m).
In terms of the size of the ski slopes, Pal is slightly inferior to other Andorran bases, but the forest landscape gives this area a special charm and provides protection from the wind. The tracks laid between conifers are short, up to 1 km, and have a low to medium steepness. The slopes are deployed mainly to the north and this ensures the stability of the snow cover throughout the ski season.
The tracks are well equipped, fenced off from falling with side fences, and marked. A gentle long track to the liking of beginner skiers.
Ski schools and kindergartens
Both stations have ski schools at their disposal. About 140 instructors serve the resort. Two kindergartens (for children from 1 to 4 years old), Pekepark snow park. Here, young skiers will be able to alternate learning and skiing with games on the playground.
The Pekepark snow park for children aged 3 to 9 is considered the largest and best in the Pyrenees. Next to it, there is a themed 600-meter track for families with children and beginners with funny obstacles. “Zhabnyk” in Arinsal has two children’s lifts at its disposal.
Where to stay
Patagonia Atiram Hotel 4-star hotel
Hotel Patagonia Atiram is conveniently located at the foot of the mountain slopes. After a busy day, you can visit the sauna or the gym, as well as relax in the lounge decorated in Alpine style.
Waking up in the morning, guests will be able to admire the magnificent view of the mountains and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at the Patagonia Hotel restaurant.
Excellent conditions for active recreation have been created in the surroundings. The hotel is a few minutes’ walk from the recently opened 6-chair lift that takes you to the slopes of Arinsal resort. The resort is suitable for both beginner and advanced skiers and snowboarders.
After returning to the hotel, guests can relax in the armchairs in the atmospheric lounge with fireplace or in the sauna, and work out in the gym.
Hotel Montané 3-star hotel
Hotel Montané is located next to the main cable car leading to the Valnord-Arinsal ski resort. It offers a restaurant with fine cuisine, stylish rooms with a balcony overlooking the mountains, and free coffee and pastries throughout the day.
The famous restaurant of the El Xalet Hotel serves national and international cuisine. The Art and Wine bar offers views of the mountains. Guests can relax by the fireplace in the lounge. Free Wi-Fi is available at reception and in the restaurant.
Rooms at Hotel Montané are decorated in a modern style and feature central heating, a flat-screen TV and a bathroom with a hairdryer.
Hotel Montané’s multilingual staff can arrange a free late check-out. For a small additional fee, you can use the ski storage room. Andorra la Vella is only 10 km away.
Hotel Arinsal 2-star hotel
The hotel is located in the center of the village of Arinsal. This rustic hotel is ideally located close to the ski station and for excursions in the Valnord resort.
The hotel building is built of wood and stone. This attractive hotel is perfect for relaxing after an active day at the resort. You can relax by the open fire on cozy sofas and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere. After a hearty dinner, you can enjoy a drink with friends in the hotel bar.
At this mountain resort, you can have a wonderful vacation throughout the year. The resort is close to the Pal Arinsal ski area and in the immediate vicinity of the Coma Pedrosa Natural Park. In winter, you can go skiing. At any other time of the year, various excursions await you.
Ushuaia, The Mountain Hotel 4-star hotel
The Mountain Hotel is located in Arinsal, 4.1 km from Arinsal Ski Resort (Pal Arinsal Ski Station). It offers a restaurant, private parking, a bar and a common lounge. This 4-star hotel offers free WiFi, ski-to-door access and a kids’ club. 24-hour front desk, room delivery of food and drinks, and currency exchange are available.
All hotel rooms have a living area. Room amenities include a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.
A buffet breakfast is served every morning.
A terrace is at guests’ disposal. Ski equipment, bicycle and car rental are available at the hotel. The area is popular for skiing and cycling.
The Mountain Hotel is 1.4 km from Teleblanca d’Arinsal Ski Resort and 3.1 km from Negre Port.
Chalet Riba
Offering free WiFi, this holiday home is located in Arinsal, 500 meters from Caldea Spa and the Pal Arinsal Gondola. Free private parking is available on the territory.
The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, oven and coffee maker. Amenities include a TV. Guests at Chalet Riba can use the barbecue facilities.
The area is popular for hiking, skiing and fishing.
Entertainment and active recreation
In the center, next to the lift, there is one of the most popular discos in Andorra, Surf – a place where you can have fun in the evening. In addition, there are 14 restaurants and cafe bars.
Guests of all hotels can use the services of the relaxation center located in the Prinsesa Parc hotel. At your service is a gym, mini-pool, sauna, solarium, therapeutic massage (paid separately).
The resort of Pal-Arinsal offers not only excellent opportunities for skiing and snowboarding, but also a lot of sports and other entertainment at different times of the year. In winter, there are dog sledding, sledding, snowmobiles and ski-bikes, snowshoeing, excursions on the Oruga tracked vehicle, and even such extreme entertainment as ice diving. In the summer, hiking and mountaineering, mountain biking and buggy tours, recreation on the most beautiful mountain lakes of Tristein, go-karting and exciting attractions in the cable car town.
In the restaurants of the resorts, you can taste traditional local dishes while admiring the amazing mountain scenery. And in numerous bars, nightclubs and discotheques, most of which are located in Arinsal, there is a lively nightlife.
In addition, here you can immediately go down on skis to the hotel or to the village of Arinsal, where everything is provided for a wonderful vacation – restaurants, pubs, music bars and discos.
Those who like excursions can visit the churches of the XVI-XVII centuries. in the ancient towns of Ordino and La Cortinada, a Romanesque church with frescoes of the 12th century. in the Pale, to visit the Comic Museum in La Massana and the natural park of the Sorteni Valley.
Family vacation
The Valnord resort area in Andorra is perfect for vacationing with children. Ski schools and children’s clubs operate everywhere here. In Arkalis, a children’s snow park has been opened with themed routes dedicated to fairy-tale characters, and the Magic Kids ski program is also offered. The same Snow Plus program is offered at the Pal and Arinsal resorts, and Pal has a Pekepark for kids.
Pekepark
There is no less entertainment for family vacations in Valnord in the summer as well. So, from June to September, the Agustina children’s amusement park operates in Arkalis.
How to get there
Vallnord is about half an hour’s drive from Andorra la Vella, where you can take a bus to the skiing areas. Pal and Arinsal are located only 6 km from the capital.
Conclusions
Ski tours in Pal Arinsal are ideal for family tourists, as well as beginners and intermediate skiers. In the resort of Arinsal, you can ski directly from the hotels – the lifts are located almost in the center of the city. Buses take tourists from the Pal resort to the ski lifts.
Among the unequivocal advantages of descents in the Pal-Arinsal valley is a rather large height difference – 1010 meters, which is the most significant indicator in Andorra. The longest descents are in Arinsal – here you can accelerate quite strongly on a well-beaten, safe slope. There are several steep, dangerous tracks at the top of the ridge.
In a word, ski tours in Pal-Arinsal will definitely bring a lot of positive emotions! All conditions are created here for a comfortable, pleasant vacation and unforgettable skiing!