0
0
Share with your friends










Submit
  • Home
  • About
  • Advertising
  • Privacy
  • Property
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

Logo

Navigation
  • Ski Resorts
  • Where to Ski
  • How to Ski
  • Snow
    • Snow Report
  • Gear
    • Ski Clothing
    • Ski Equipment
  • Family Skiing
  • Ski Holidays
  • Deals
  • Summer

Guide to the Mountain in Arinsal-Pal

By Felice Hardy | on May 18, 2012 | 0 Comment
Ski Resorts
Guide to the Mountain in Arinsal-Pal | Welove2ski

Photo: © Vallnord.com

It’s worth remembering that snow conditions in Arinsal-Pal and the rest of the Pyrenees are entirely different from those in the Alps. It’s a shorter ski season, with the best conditions running from December until the end of March.

“Although the resort was busy,” said a reporter, “the lift system was efficient and so there was not too much queuing”. Arinsal’s skiing begins with a gondola ride from the middle of the village up to the mid-mountain station at 1950m. Lifts from here bring you up towards the 2569m Pic Negre and allow for some smooth novice and easy runs back down to 1950m. In good snow conditions the descent through the trees to the valley is hugely enjoyable.

From the top of Arinsal, a cable-car spans the valley to the Coll de La Botella and the start of the Pal ski area. The El Cubil six-pack brings you to some slightly more demanding runs here, but the whole area is best-suited to beginners and low intermediates.

More challenging skiing is to be found in Arcalis

Ordino-Arcalis is of considerably more interest for advanced skiers. Its remote position and limited base facilities deter most foreign tourists except the Spanish from across the border. This is where you will find Andorrans skiing at weekends. A couple of black runs on the front face of the 2552m mountain provide serious challenge, as well as several long reds served by modern quad-chairs.

“The runs are always well groomed and the area has great artificial snowmaking capabilities,” said a reporter, and “the lifts are quick and every year become a bit more modernised”. This is set to improve further, with new lifts, snow-cannon and restaurants, so watch this space.

An impressive freestyler area

Vallnord has a high percentage of riders among its clientele. The impressive 40,000m2 FreeStyle Area at Arinsal is divided into three zones: ISF-FIS regulation-size half-pipe, a terrain park with rails, spins, fun boxes and jumps, and a permanent boarder and ski cross circuit. There is also an exclusive lift and state-of-the-art snow guns, as well as a bar and restaurant specialising in Chinese food, plus a chill-out area. In Arcalis the park is situated on the Abetal slope at 2100m and contains boxes, rails and jumps.

Continue Exploring Arinsal-Pal

  1. Guide to the Mountain

    Guide to the Mountain
  2. Where To Stay

    Where to Stay
  3. Where to Eat

    Where to Eat
  4. Where to Learn

    Where to Learn
  5. Where to Party

    Where to Party
Share this story:
  • tweet

Tags: Ski Resorts

Recent Posts

  • Six Reasons We Love Going to St Anton by Train

    February 1, 2023 - 0 Comment
  • 7 of the Best Wines to Sip on A Dolomites Ski Trip

    January 24, 2023 - 1 Comment
  • 5 Ways to Make Your Tirolean Ski Holiday More Sustainable

    January 23, 2023 - 0 Comment

Related Posts

  • Innsbruck: the Perfect Base for a Ski Weekend or a Freewheeling Ski Safari

    January 18, 2023 - 1 Comment
  • Gurgl, Austria: High, Snowsure and Charming

    December 31, 2022 - 0 Comment
  • Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn: Four Resorts In A Huge Ski Area

    December 2, 2022 - 0 Comment

Author Description

Felice Hardy

Felice is one of the three editors at Welove2ski and contributes on skiing to a range of publications, including The Evening Standard, The Guardian, Conde Nast Traveller, Tatler, Harpers Bazaar, Country Life, BA Highlife and House & Garden. She started skiing at the age of three. She also enjoys hiking with her dogs and mountain biking in the Alps.

No Responses to “Guide to the Mountain in Arinsal-Pal”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Free Updates

Join 16,000 clever people who get the latest Welove2ski content delivered to their inbox

RSSSubscribe 15201 Followers 10135 Fans

The Loveometer

Zermatt: Cool Chalets, Certain Snow and The Majestic Matterhorn
100 %
Tweenager Tips: How to Enjoy Ski Holidays with Older Kids
98 %
How to Go Green On Your Ski Holiday
98 %
St Anton, Austria: Wild Nights, Steep Pistes and Challenging Backcountry
97 %
Weird and Wonderful Ski Fads and Fashions
94 %
  • Home
  • About
  • Advertising
  • Privacy
  • Property
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
© 2020. All Rights Reserved. Created with love by WL2S