Arinsal Ski Holidays

Arinsal is one of the original Andorran resorts. Spread along the main road up to Arcalis, Arinsal is renowned for good après ski - the Surf at the bottom of the gondola, British owned El Moli and authentic Irish Bar El Derby are among some of the livelier locations for a post ski drink. Over the years the resort has attracted a friendly reputation making it the perfect spot for families too. There are a whole host of shops, bars and restaurants to keep everyone happy. Andorra La Vella connected by regular bus services is around 30 minutes away and well worth a visit.

Callum's Perfect Arinsal Ski Day!

I try and get up early... sometimes this doesn't quite go to plan, but it's not a problem as the Hotel Patagonia is right by the 6 man chairlift which goes up to the mid station. I like to warm up on the two blue runs from the top of the Fonts 6 man chairlift. Les Fonts is a lovely blue down the left hand side of the ski area. I like to explore so I take the Fonts chair back up then over to El Coll - a steep drag tow up to the cable car than connects Arinsal with Pal - port Negre is a 4 man chairlift that also connects with the cable car. If it is dafe and in good snow conditions we'll ski off piste down to Coll de la Botella otherwise the cable car is a wonderful ride with great views all over Andorra. There is over to Pal and exploring the lovely tree lined runs between Coll de la Botella and Pal. I stay away from La Comellada which is a really steep black run, but the reds and blues over on this side are great with loads of different ways down to each lift. For Lunchtime I like the restaurant at Coll de la Botella. Then it is back up the cable car for a few runs on the Arinsal side. A late afternoon hot chocolate then its the lovely Les Marrades blue run back down to the hotel.

Beginners

Beginners (both adults and children) staying in Arinsal will be taught by some of the UK's best ski instructors in the Arinsal - Pal Ski School. If you stay in La Massana, the ski school starts at nearby La Caubella every morning there are many British instructors. Under careful guidance beginners will soon gain enough confidence to use the chairlifts and start exploring the area on the wide blue runs. After 2 or 3 days there is no reason why a confident beginner can't make it over to Pal and La Taberna at La Caubella for lunch. By the end of the week beginners should get up to Arcalis where they will be rewarded by long, wide open blues - El Tunel from the top back to the base station is a lovely, gentle winding run that takes in some breathtaking mountain scenery.

Intermediates

Intermediate skiers will thrive in the Arinsal - Pal area . Start the week cruising, then blues are red runs in Pal and Arinsal - try the FIS Slalom run down to Coll de la Botella; perhaps brave a couple of the the black runs at Arinsal? Let the skis run down La Solana in Arinsal then carve up the wide tree lined reds over in Pal. It is definitely worth taking the bus up to Arcalis - you'll love the wide open pistes accessed by fast chairlifts. La Portella del Mig is a long sweeping red from Les Portelles back down to the base station - head right as you come down to the base station to try the steep FIS race pistes, or back up to Les Portelles and the fabulous La Balma and Ls Canaleta reds which swoop back down to the valley. Take the Cota chair for your first taste of Freeride skiing!

Advanced

First things first - don't be put off by the piste map. We were and it is something that we regret! While Pal and Arinsal are generally better know as beginner/intermediate resorts you will be surprised - let your skis carve up the long, perfectly groomed reds of Corpalance, Fontanals and Cubil. For the more adventurous, have a crack at La Comellada - a steepish black through the trees down to Els Fontanals.

Over in Arinsal head up La Capa - a short sharp drag tow to the summit - La Capa is a black run down the face, but also you'll often find some untracked off piste up here. The Tub de Coll drag serves a couple of steep reds and a black, otherwise swoop down the reds and blues at pace down to the main lift station at Comallemple.

You'll need to spend a few days up at Arcalis - Arcalis is fast becoming a freeride mecca of European skiing. Te ski area has won all sorts of awards and has hosted a round of the Swatch Freeride tour - other rounds are held in Chamonix, Alaska and Verbier - which just shows what high regard the freeride community have of Arcalis.

The pistes are all long wide and well groomed - great for warming up. Then start on L'Hortell - to the left of the drag-lift there are some wonderful steep gullies - be careful not to go too far to the left or you'll end up on the main road waiting for the free ski bus to get back to the lifts! Jump on the fast 6 man chair up to Les Portelles - take La Balma a flying red to the exclusive Freeride Drag tow - all the terrain from the top of the drag is off piste with various routes either back to the base station or down to the La Canaleta red piste. But the real attraction here is La Cota - a quad chairlift up to 2625m which opens up one big freeride mountain - go anyway but be careful - the mountain is patrolled but it is off-piste! Oh and did we mention heli-skiing? Yes, heli-skiing is available in Andorra with drops available all over the principality from Arcalis.

Ski School

The Arinsal ski school is based at the top of the bubble lift. It offers both group and private lesson for children and adults. Group lessons generally start at 10am and finish at 1pm

Creche / Nursery

There is a creche / nursery available for children from 12 months to 5 years old. For the older children there is a snow garden for ski based play!

Ski Hire

We recommend Esport Rossell in Arinsal who are members of the Skiset franchise. The shop is located right by the ski school meeting point at the top of the Arinsal bubble lift. You can leave your skis in lockers here or take them back to you accommodation. For rates and if you would like chose your skis and book click here