Arinsal is the principal resort village in the Vallnord ski domain, located in the north-western parishes of the Principality of Andorra, and is just 10 km drive from Andorra's bustling little capital city, Andorra la Vella.
Arinsal ski resort
Vallnord is the collective name for the linked ski areas of Arinsal and Pal (La Massana), plus the separate ski area of Arcalis in the neighbouring parish of Ordino; the Pal-Arinsal ski area is comprised of two separate areas that are linked by cable car, but there are no linking pistes. The main slopes and service lodges are sited high above the villages at a snow-sure altitude of 1950m, accessed via gondola lifts based in the centre of Arinsal village (for the Arinsal sector) and in the parish town of La Massana (for the Pal sector) lower down the valley.
Arinsal and Pal are linked by a 50 person cable car and offer a great variety of skiing and snowboarding for those at beginner and intermediate level, with some lovely runs through the trees located over in Pal. Ordino-Arcalis is a 30 minute bus journey away, there is a free ski bus that connects it with Arinsal and La Massana (Pal).
You can link between the two sectors of Arinsal and Pal by using the cable car, however be aware that the usual closing time of the cable car is 16:15. If you miss the last one you'll need to head back to the base area of either Arinsal or Pal (depending on where you are stuck) and take the ski bus back to Arinsal or La Massana.