Arinsal, Andorra

[jesseowens]

Hi you guys - I have just booked our [6 in family] first every skiing holiday in Andorra. Arinsal is where we are going. Anyone been there? It came highly recommended as a good beginners place and also - as I have two teenage sons - a good place for apres ski. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[off-piste]

I don't know about Arinsal but the Ski Club of Great Britain has the following about the resort:On the snow - top: 2573m - bottom: 1550m
The ski areas of Arinsal and Pal are linked by a 50-person cable-car to create a single area of 63km of easy and intermediate groomed runs. Pal is also physically linked by a new high speed gondola with La Massanna, which massively cuts the journey time by road up to the resort and will significantly reduce congestion. This new link opened in Dec 2004 ready for this season.

Pal, Arinsal and Arcalis are now covered under a joint lift pass that gives unrestricted access to all three resorts and the combined ski area is called Vallnord.

The resort has a high percentage of riders among its clientèle. Arinsal’s 40,000-square-metre FreeStyle Area contains a half-pipe, jumps and other obstacles, as well as a bumps area, slalom and carving area. The Nursery caters for children from twelve months, and the Snowgarden is for four- to eight-year olds.

The mountain restaurants serve ‘ubiquitous burgers ’n’ beer in surroundings that make up in price for what they lack in charm’. Other eateries include Igloo, offering Chinese cuisine, and Obelix, which is Mexican. Quo Vadis is a popular bar with videos. In Arinsal, The Poblado apartments (+376 83 51 22) are recommended. Attitude and service at the Grand Hotel Font (+376 83 52 94) came under fire from reporters. The modern Residència Daina (+376 83 60 05) is a 15-minute walk from the centre, while Residència Janet (+376 83 50 88) is a small family-run establishment on the outskirts. Recommended restaurants include El Rusc (‘excellent food in amicable surroundings’). Pal has no accommodation, but La Barda restaurant offers ‘authentic Catalan cuisine and a great night out’.

[joy]

As far as I remember there is good and easy skiing in Arinsal (same is true for pretty much all over Andorra), I had excellent snow last time I was there (Feb 04). So maybe things have changed a little

Pistes are wide and ski school is generally pretty good. Night life is also lively and cheap so plus points there too. I think Andorra is a great place to learn - cheap and effective. You will have a ball Jesse !

[john510]

I've been to Pas de la Casa and it was great fun. I flew to Toulouse and got a bus transfer from there. The duty free is a great bonus, and because it is so south you get an extra hours skiing due to the sunlight ever day.

[nervous]

I was thinking of going to Arinsal too ! I think it is easy enough to get to from Toulouse. Where are you flying into Jesse ?

[ttebrocg]

Stayed in Arinsal in February for the last 2 years with my wife and 3 kids. Flew into Toulouse and then a 3.5 hr transfer to Arinsal a bit tedious but don't let it put you off. Stayed in the Montane in 07 can't be beaten for location, Rooms very good but food a bit disappointing. In 08 we stayed at the St, Andrue only 500m up the hill, again facilities great and food really good. Ski school is great and you should be skiing from about half way up the mountain by the end of the 1st week. If you are adventurous and a bit sporty you may even be going from the top of the mountain. My younger kids 8 and 10 were skiing from the top of the mountain by the Wednesday. The food on the mountain is ok but if you get yourself a locker (which I strongly suggest you do) you can change out of your boots and ski's and pop down the mountain for lunch in the village. The Apres ski is great the reps usually have something organized each evening if thats your thing (70's night, pub crawl, etc) we tended to meet up with our instructor and other members of our group from Ski School. Plenty of people of all age groups especially at half term. My eldest daughter (14 last year) is still in contact with people she meet last year from both Ireland and the UK.

[Mark]

Arinsal Piste Map.

22

[ttebrocg]

Jess

Have you had a look at the Vallnord website. Home - VALLNORD (http://en.vallnord.com/index.asp)
Vallnord are the operators of the ski facilities at Arinsal as well as Pal, Ordino and Arcalis. Its quite good has maps of piste, weather forecasts and web cams. You could also look up Skiing Andorra - Arinsal, Soldeu, Pas de la Casa (http://www.skiriderexp.com/) this site is run by one of the instructors I can't remember his name but he has a lot of info as well as a weekly web-cast of the snow conditions.

[ttebrocg]

Found a few picture and thought i'd share them with you. The kids in the Freestyle area are my 2 youngest 11 and 9. This was the second day of our second year so after 8 days skiing they were very comfortable doing this I even had a go myself. The pictures showing the empty Piste were taken about 9.00am during the bussiest week of the year Feb Half Term. Dont worry it gets a lot bussier within Half an hour. We liked to get up on the mountain early and ski down before the lessons start it was great to have the slopes vertually to yourself

[osulljp]

Hi,

Been there 4 times in all. Learned to ski there. The ski school is excellent. None of us ever had a bad teacher or a lesson we didn't really enjoy. Its the reason we went back there (and the low cost, given that, like you, I'm paying for loads of them!). I can't think of a better place to learn. The resort is ideal for beginners. The instructors all speak good English. The lessons are fun and you will, more than likely, get all the way to the top of the mountain by the end of the first week. Had the best fun ever in ski school there (particularly Isobel's Ski Rugby....what a laugh that was).

I have two teenage lads and they absolutely love the place. The nightlife is spot on for them.

I have gone on a package twice (staying in Poblado both times...great place, great value, 50 mtrs from Gondola) and done it twice under my own steam (Ryanair to Girona, private transfer, private apartment). Never cost more that €750 per person all in, self catering (including lift pass, school, gear flights, transfer, apartment) and that in school holidays every time, so its a great place when you have a "gang" to bring!

Your first ski holiday will be special. Enjoy!

For intermediates the skiing is a bit limited so I would say get over to Pal when you can (cable car connection from top of resort) and if at all possible get up to Arcalis which is a cracking little resort, all on the same pass.

Feel free to ask me any questions.

John

[ttebrocg]

Hi John

Just logged on for the 1st time this year and was having a look round the forum. I see you have done Arinsal a few times and that the last 2 times you went independent. I am thinking of doing likewise this year and was wondering how you go about arranging the private transfers and how much they cost. I think I can manage the flights, accom, passes and gear.

Gerard

[osulljp]

Gerard,

I booked with Novotel through the following website. http://www.hola-andorra.com/arinsal/english/novatelgb.html

It worked out well. The last time there were 2 families, 11 people in all and we had a minibus. Took 3.30 from Girona Airport to Arinsal. The guy was waiting for us in the airport and we were away 5 minutes after we got the bags.

On the way back they tend to pick you up early. Both times I was in Girona 4 hours before the flight and there is nothing to do there.

Driving would be possible too. It is an easy drive as far as Andorra. Snow conditions might make it a bit tricky after that but usually only from La Massana onwards.

Hope you have a great time. I'm in Soldeu in March this year for my annual Andorran escapade

John.

[ClaireBear]

here is a recent picture of me and a few of my girls at Pas de la Casa ( Grau Roig) Andorra.

We rented helmets this year for the first time (hence they all look the same). We were there the week before Easter and the snow was great ! Now Pas de la Casa is linked via lifts to Soldeu, and I think they have almost 200km of slopes to be enjoyed.

Pas de la Casa is towards the French side of Andorra , so we flew in to Stansted and then to Perpignan in France (with RYANAIR ,and it worked out reasonable enough).