Andorra’s Other Ski Areas
20th January 2024 | James Cove, Andorra, Pyrenees.
Last modified on February 9th, 2024
The majority of UK skiers head to the main resorts of the Grandvalira – Soldeu, El Tartar and Pas de La Casa. But there are others – Arinsal, Pal and Arcalis.
A handful of Brits head to Arinsal, but Pal and Arcalis are somewhat overlooked.
Arcalis is visited on a day trip as there is no accommodation in the resort, and Pal is reached from Arinsal via a connecting cable car, or by gondola from the town of La Massana.
We have recently been staying in Bordes d’Envalira above Soldeu reporting on all that is on offer in Andorra’s main area:
Grandvaliria, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Now PlanetSKI has headed to La Massana and we turn our attention to what Arcalis and Pal/Arinsal offer.
ARCALIS
We have saved the best for last, as Arcalis is easily my favourite ski area in Andorra and ranks alongside some of the best lift accessible freeride terrain of anywhere you care to mention.
It’s not huge but there is more than enough – on a powder day and for several days afterwards.
This season Arcalis celebrates its 40th birthday.
It doesn’t look much on the piste map.
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
It has 30kms of slopes,two freeride areas and five ski mountaineering circuits.
There’s also heli-skiing and ice climbing.
Reaching it requires a special journey with the last section of road being a series of tight hairpin bends.
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
A new gondola has been added since I last visited.
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
- 9 green runs
- 7 blue runs
- 11 red runs
- 2 black runs
Skiing goes from 1,940m to 2,625m with 60% of the slopes covered by snow making.
What it offers is a huge variety of terrain.
There are the beginner slopes.
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Some great reds with some excellent powder skiing in the trees.
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Arcalis. Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
And then some steep black pistes
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Plus more freeride terrain that you can shake a ski pole at.
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
This year, as well as marking its 40th birthday, Arcalis celebrates a decade of holding a round of the Freeride World Tour.
This year it takes place at the beginning of February and sadly I won’t be in resort for that as I am skiing in Turkey on these dates – yes, there is skiing in Turkey.
Sadly, the current snow conditions don’t allow for off piste, fingers crossed for the FWT.
The innocuous chairlift that gives access to much of the terrain remains firmly closed.
Arcalis, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Here is my earlier snow report from Arcalis.
And here’s what Les Portelles looks like inside:
Arcalis. Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Arcalis. Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
As I said, it’s a must-visit.
Since October 2020, Ordino has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: a designation awarded to places that strive to preserve their natural heritage in harmony with economic and human development.
This distinction has been extended to Ordino Arcalís, which has been recognised as a Company Committed to the Biosphere Reserve.
The World Tourism Organization has also included the parish of Ordino in its list of Best Tourism Villages 2023.
It’s a recognition of villages that lead the way in preserving rural areas and promoting their cultural values, while also fostering the economic and environmental sustainability of the area.
I was planning to head over to Spain and the resort of Baqueira Beret for a round of the Freeride World Tour, but sadly it has been cancelled as the conditions are not good enough off piste.
Fingers crossed for the second round of the FWT to be held here in Arcalis.
“The FWT Ordino Arcalís Pro is still projected to proceed, and the FWT safety team will continue to assess conditions, with ample time – 19 days – before the competition weather window ends,” says the latest statement from the organisers.
Grandvalira, Andorra. Image c/o PlanetSKI
And so my visit to Andorra in the Pyrenees comes to its end.
It’s been fabulous to be back for an extended visit.
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Pal/Arinsal
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
On first impression Pal is a beginners-only area with a focus on families.
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
It is an area where many thousands of people have made their first turns before embarking on a life-long love affair with skiing or snowboarding.
But there is more to Pal than meets the eye, with some decent red runs cut through the trees and a surprising variety of terrain.
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
I first skied here many decades ago and the lift system remains much the same.
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Though the on-slope facilities have definitely gone up a notch.
The restaurant at the linking point between Pal and Arinsal has been upgraded.
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
The 360 views at Pic del Cubic at the top of Pal at 2,364m are worth soaking up.
The two ski areas are linked by cable car.
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Again Arinsal is a beginners paradise on first impression, but there is some steep off piste terrain that can be accessed when the conditions allow.
It also has a good fun park.
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Arinsal holds a round of the World Cup ski mountaineering and training competitions were underway as we passed through.
Arinsal hosts one of the country’s most important sporting events: the Comapedrosa Andorra Ski Mountaineering World Cup.
It celebrates its 13th edition this year and takes place this weekend – from 19th to 21st January.
Arinsal hosts two fixtures:
- The Individual Race (20th January)
- The Vertical Race (21st January).
In addition, there is the Open Modality, in which all ski mountaineers can participate.
They follow the same route as the World Cup competitors, and the competition is valid for the Andorra Ski Mountaineering Cup.
The finish line for both routes is next to Chalet Igloo, at an altitude of 2,300 m.
Arinsal, Andorra. Image c/o PlanetSKI
We are staying in La Massana at the Hotel Magic Ski.
If there is a hotel with a closer lift then I have not comes across it.
The lift station is part of the hotel building.
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
It caters mainly for Spanish families, though there were a handful of British guests.
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
And talking of catering there is a very good buffet on offer.
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
Next up in this part of Andorra we are heading to the freeride resort of Arcalis from our base in La Massana.
We have saved the best till last.
Do check back…
Pal/Arinsal, Andorra. Image © PlanetSKI
