Sandwiched between France and Spain in the Andorran state of La Massana, Pal-Arinsal ski resort can only be reached by road. The most practical and convenient option is to fly to Toulouse or Barcelona and take a bus, or hire a car. Self-driving is a popular option, while a train-bus-bus combination is the most arduous.
Barcelona’s El Prat de Llobregat Airport and Toulouse-Blagnac Airport are about the same distance from Pal-Arinsal. Barcelona is more popular, offering far more budget and worldwide flight options than Toulouse. Four scheduled buses a day go from El Prat, and two a day from Toulouse-Blagnac, to Arinsal (€30, one way; €56, return). You can also transfer by train, and then bus, to the resort. Hiring a car is the most convenient method.
The route from Calais is a 1,186kms, two-day journey along the A-1, A-10, A-71, A-62/1, E-9, and the picturesque CG1. The route from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, west of the city, goes via the A-64, and D-919, merging with the E-9, further south (three hours). The major roads from Barcelona include the A-18, C-1411, and N-260, and entering Andorra via the N-145, CG1 and the CG3 (three hours).
Trains from the UK go via Paris and Toulouse and terminate at L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre, south of Toulouse. A Eurostar train leaves London’s Waterloo station at 17:09 daily, and arrives in Paris’ Nord station at 20:59. Change to Paris’ Austerlitz station where the overnighter goes to L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre, via Toulouse, arriving at 07:25 the next morning. Buses go from here to Andorra la Vella, where local buses go to Arinsal.
Trains from Barcelona eventually terminate at Puigcerdà, east of Andorra. Buses from here go to La Seu d’Urgell, and on to Andorra La Vella, and then Arinsal. A number of buses from French train stations go to Andorra, including from L'Hospitalet, La Tour de Carol and Ax-les-Thermes. Buses from Spain leave from Barcelona, Burgos, Madrid, Tarragona, Tuy, Valladolid and Zaragoza.
Located in the west of La Massana, Andorra, Pal-Arinsal ski resort, with its easy sheltered runs, is an ideal skiing destination for learners and inte
rmediate skiers. Pal-Arinsal is especially suited to the young, with a lively après-ski and cheap alcohol. The proximity to the capital, La Vella, adds to the resort’s attraction.
Accommodation is geared more to the package tourist on a budget holiday looking for a cheap bed and plenty of après-ski, however, those looking for quality hotels will not be disappointed; Arinsal has the greater choice. Arinsal also has a range of sports outlets and duty-free stores.
Pal-Arinsal ski resort’s 63kms of pisted runs are divided into 41 slopes with 45 per cent suitable for beginners; 31 per cent for intermediates; and 24 per cent for advanced skiers. Over 31,000 skiers per hour can enjoy all slopes via 31 chairlifts, surface lifts and a gondola and cable car. There is very little cross-country skiing due to tight conservation laws.
Other activities include: snowshoeing; ski biking; snowmobile riding; parapenting; helicopter flights; and a snowpark, with halfpipe. Snowboarding is also available on all pistes. In addition there is a bowling alley; an indoor swimming pool; and a sports centre, with gym. The après-ski and nightlife in Arinsal is lively,with a large selection of bars and clubs, some with live music.
The best skiing conditions are from early February to mid-March, with cheaper weeks offered at the beginning and end of the season, and in mid-January.
The gateway airports are Barcelona (Spain) and Toulouse (France); both have a scheduled return bus service to Pal-Arinsal. Journeys are long and uncomfortable but much easier than taking a train-bus-bus combination. The most convenient transfer option is to hire a car from either airport.
rmediate skiers. Pal-Arinsal is especially suited to the young, with a lively après-ski and cheap alcohol. The proximity to the capital, La Vella, adds to the resort’s attraction.
Accommodation is geared more to the package tourist on a budget holiday looking for a cheap bed and plenty of après-ski, however, those looking for quality hotels will not be disappointed; Arinsal has the greater choice. Arinsal also has a range of sports outlets and duty-free stores.
Pal-Arinsal ski resort’s 63kms of pisted runs are divided into 41 slopes with 45 per cent suitable for beginners; 31 per cent for intermediates; and 24 per cent for advanced skiers. Over 31,000 skiers per hour can enjoy all slopes via 31 chairlifts, surface lifts and a gondola and cable car. There is very little cross-country skiing due to tight conservation laws.
Other activities include: snowshoeing; ski biking; snowmobile riding; parapenting; helicopter flights; and a snowpark, with halfpipe. Snowboarding is also available on all pistes. In addition there is a bowling alley; an indoor swimming pool; and a sports centre, with gym. The après-ski and nightlife in Arinsal is lively,with a large selection of bars and clubs, some with live music.
The best skiing conditions are from early February to mid-March, with cheaper weeks offered at the beginning and end of the season, and in mid-January.
The gateway airports are Barcelona (Spain) and Toulouse (France); both have a scheduled return bus service to Pal-Arinsal. Journeys are long and uncomfortable but much easier than taking a train-bus-bus combination. The most convenient transfer option is to hire a car from either airport.
The Pal-Arinsal ski resort lies to the west of the Andorran state of La Massana and north of the capital, La Vella. Skiing is ideally suited to the absolute beginner or lower intermediate, making Pal-Arinsal a great first-time venue for those looking to learn. Together with the hectic nightlife, Pal-Arinsal is mainly geared to the young, but excellent childcare also makes it a good family destination.
Pal and Arinsal are two small Alpine villages with the bulk of the accommodation in Arinsal. The emphasis here is on budget accommodation, though there is a complement of four-star hotels. The après-ski and nightlife is wild, especially on weekends, but if you want more of a choice, head for nearby La Vella, which has its fair share of bars and discos. An excellent kindergarten is on hand.
Between the two resorts there are 41 pisted runs through 63kms of wooded glades and open slopes for mostly beginner and intermediate skiers; the longest run is three kilometres. There are also five FIS slalom courses. Thirty lifts, including one cable car, one gondola, 12 chairlifts (eight quads, four doubles), and 16 surface lifts, have a total lift capacity for 31,700 skiers per hour.
For some expert slopes, head for the largest ski resort in Andorra, Pas de la Casa, in the east. The road offers breathtaking views and scenery as it climbs up to the Port d'Envalira, which, at 2,403m, is the highest road pass in the Pyrenees. The other thing to do in Andorra is to shop, and the capital city, La Vella, has a huge range of goods in its duty-free stores.
The ski season runs from December to April, with cheaper rates offered before the Christmas holidays, in mid-January, and towards the end of the season. The most practical way to get to Pal-Arinsal is to fly to Toulouse or Barcelona and take a scheduled bus, or hire a car.
Pal and Arinsal are two small Alpine villages with the bulk of the accommodation in Arinsal. The emphasis here is on budget accommodation, though there is a complement of four-star hotels. The après-ski and nightlife is wild, especially on weekends, but if you want more of a choice, head for nearby La Vella, which has its fair share of bars and discos. An excellent kindergarten is on hand.
Between the two resorts there are 41 pisted runs through 63kms of wooded glades and open slopes for mostly beginner and intermediate skiers; the longest run is three kilometres. There are also five FIS slalom courses. Thirty lifts, including one cable car, one gondola, 12 chairlifts (eight quads, four doubles), and 16 surface lifts, have a total lift capacity for 31,700 skiers per hour.
For some expert slopes, head for the largest ski resort in Andorra, Pas de la Casa, in the east. The road offers breathtaking views and scenery as it climbs up to the Port d'Envalira, which, at 2,403m, is the highest road pass in the Pyrenees. The other thing to do in Andorra is to shop, and the capital city, La Vella, has a huge range of goods in its duty-free stores.
The ski season runs from December to April, with cheaper rates offered before the Christmas holidays, in mid-January, and towards the end of the season. The most practical way to get to Pal-Arinsal is to fly to Toulouse or Barcelona and take a scheduled bus, or hire a car.