The resort of Arinsal is in the Vallnord ski area of Andorra offering 63km of linked runs and 93km of runs in total on the lift pass.  We’re been working in Arinsal since 2005 and it’s the resort we call home, so we thought it only right it was our first resort featured in our blog!

To help you get to know a bit more about the resort here’s our guide to the most important bits.

Geography

There is one main street running through the village although it is split into three areas.  You have the top of the village which is by a chairlift with access to the piste, and here there are a couple of hotels, a couple of ski hire shops and a couple of bars and restaurants.  There is a little area higher than this but it is predominantly residential.  Heading down the hill you’ll come to the village centre where you will find the majority of bars, restaurants and hotels as well as the gondola providing the main access to the slopes.  There are two small supermarkets as well as several ski shops.  Further down the hill you have the lower area around the Hotel St Gothard.  There are a few apartments here as well as a tapas bar and hotel bars.  To get to the slopes from here you can either walk up the hill around 10 minutes to the gondola or there is a free bus.

Ski Area

Arinsal has a great reputation for beginners partly to do with the great nursery area and partly to do with the outstanding ski school with a good number of British instructors to help you learn.  But don’t worry if you’re not a beginner because as you head up the mountain you find more challenging slopes as well as a cable car linking the neighbouring Pal ski area which offers some fantastic un-pisted runs, off piste areas and tree-lined slopes.

The third area covered on the Vallnord lift pass is Arcalis, which is smaller at 30km of slopes but it is arguably the best skiing in Andorra.  To get to Arcalis there is a free bus departing from the bottom of Arinsal twice each morning.

Apres Ski

A ski holiday isn’t just about your time on the slopes!  Arinsal has some great bars and restaurants and the best part is that they are all family friendly, which is important when you’re on holiday with your children, although if you don’t have kids then don’t worry – the parties go on until the early hours with two nightclubs, one a dance club and the other with cheese!

There are also lots of activities to get involved in ranging from relaxing at the Caldea spa through to exhilarating helicopter flights!  There’s also sledging, quiz nights, pub crawls, meal nights, shopping trips, ice skating and lots more to keep you entertained.

You can find out more about Arinsal at www.arinsal.co.uk.