The main advantages of this “double” Andorran resort, located just ten kilometers from the country’s capital, are excellent snow cover and developed infrastructure. It consists of the Arinsal and Pal ski bases, connected by a lift – the Seturia telecabin. Check maternityetchic for customs regulations and visa requirements of Andorra.
Pal is ideal for intermediate skiers, Arinsal for experienced skiers. The developed infrastructure makes it possible to recommend the resort not only to young people, but also to families – as a suitable place for outdoor activities.
Two of the most popular discos in the country are open here, where people come even from the capital.
During the summer, Pal offers plenty of outdoor activities such as mountain biking, horseback riding, go-karting and archery. In summer, lovers of hiking and trekking gather in Arinsal. Mountain trails start right at the edge of the village and head northwest to Estany de les Truites (2260m), a beautiful lake in the mountains.
How to get there
Every two hours, a regular bus runs from the capital through La Massana, the cost is about 2 EUR. In addition, there are at least 9 buses per day to La Massana from Arinsal, and 4 to Pala; fare 1.20 EUR.
By car, you need to keep the path to the CG5 highway, from which it is about 7 km to the resorts. From the road turn left towards Erts and drive through the village of Ixixirella.
Kitchen
Bars, restaurants and two large discos. You can spend a nice evening in the establishments: The Rocky, El Moli (located right in the center of Arinsal, opposite the ski lift: live music, free Wi-Fi, world-class DJs), as well as Bogarts, El Cau, Black Bull, The Derby and Bar Solana.
The choice of restaurants is also great. Those who want to taste national Catalan dishes should visit El Bosc, 360 and The Rocky restaurants. For European and international cuisine, go to Surf (Argentinian steaks), Cisco’s (Mexican cuisine), El Moli Pub (pizza, pasta, burgers, salads, curries, kids menu) and Quo Vadis (Italian cuisine).
Hotels in Pala and Arinsal
Most of the hotels are concentrated in the village of Arinsal, while in Pale you can only stay in the family apartments Apartaments Bonet 2 * or in the Casa vella Garibaldi 3 * guest house.
Just a 5-minute walk from the Pal sector and 10 minutes from Arinsal is the village of Iksixirella, where Xixerella Apartments 3 * offers apartments. Not far from the ski lift of Arinsal in the village of Ertz are the hotels Hotel Ertz 3 *, Hotel Palarine 3 * and Hotel Sant Gothard 4 *.
Trails of Pala and Arinsal
Resort slopes: 4 green, 16 blue, 16 red, 5 black and 5 slalom. A distinctive feature of Arinsal, which distinguishes it from other Andorran resorts, is a dizzying elevation difference (1010 meters! And 63 km of slopes). The slopes are mainly turned to the north, so the snow cover on them is stable throughout the winter. And its full guarantee is provided by snow cannons, which are more here per kilometer of descent than at any other resorts in the country. In addition, Arinsal is famous for its freeride zones for snowboarders.
There are several shops with sports equipment in Arinsal, as well as several grocery supermarkets, but for shopping it is better to go to the capital Andorra la Vella.
Pal and Arinsal belong to the complex
Vallnord, the cost of a single ski pass in Vallnord for 1 day is 38/31 EUR per adult/child, for 6 days 198/141 EUR per adult/child.
2 things to do in Pala and Arinsal
Watch wild boars in the natural park of the Sorteni Valley. If you do not start hunting for them, wild boars are not dangerous.
Have a belly feast by taking part in one of the La Massana community’s winter culinary festivals. The main thing to remember is that everything is good in moderation!
Entertainment and attractions
In the village of Pal, the parish church of Sant Climent de Pal with a square bell tower, made in the Romanesque style and dating from the 11th-12th centuries, has been preserved. The three-storey bell tower is decorated with Lombard arches. The interior of the church is notable for ancient frescoes, a statue of the Virgin Mary from the 12th century and a wooden altar from 1709 dedicated to Pope Clement, the patron saint of the church. The church is open to visitors from July to September Tue-Sat. from 10:00-14:00 and 15:00-19:00, Sun. 10:00-14:00, the rest of the time by appointment through the tourist office in La Massana.
Arinsal also has its own church, Sant Andreu de Arinsal, made in the Romanesque style and notable for its 18th-century fresco depicting the Virgin Mary (Virgen de las Nieves).
Of natural attractions, the Natural Park of the Sorteny Valley (Parc Natural de la vall de Sorteny, website), located halfway between Ordino and Arcalis, is of interest. The park is home to over 700 plant species and is home to deer and wild boars.
