Hotel offers + ski pass in Pal Arinsal (Vallnord)

Thinking about skiing with the whole family? The Pal Arinsal, previously called Vallnord ski resort, offers of skiing and a great diversity of plans for adults and children along its 60 kilometers of tracks. Skiing just 6 kilometers from Andorra has never been so easy or affordable with these discounts on snow trips.

Information for skiing in Vallnord Pal - Arinsal

Skiing in Pal-Arinsal, formerly Vallnord

  • Pal-Arinsal has been connected to the nearby Ordino-Arcalís since the 2004-2005 season, under the Vallnord commercial brand, from which it finally separated in 2022 to operate independently again. As its name suggests, it has two sectors: Pal and Arinsal, which together offer a total of 63 kilometers of slopes ranging from 1,550 meters in altitude to 2,560 meters. In this ski domain, 43 kilometers are snow-covered (68% of the slopes) to ensure high-quality snow.
  • There are 32 ski lifts with a transport capacity of 38,480 skiers per hour. In total, there are 44 slopes, including 7 green, 17 blue, 17 red, and 4 black; a good balance to cater to the needs and desires of all types of skiers.
  • The history of this ski resort is extensive, with the first lift dating back to 1973. The ski resort opened in 1982, situated above the village in the renowned "Pal forest." The connection with the Arinsal sector was established in 2001 through the installation of a cable car.
  • Pal-Arinsal is known for hosting three World Cups every year: the ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Cup Comapedrosa Andorra, the Mercedes Benz UCI MTB World Cup, and the Skyrace Comapedrosa. Additionally, unlike many other resorts that limit activities to the winter season, Pal-Arinsal extends its offerings continuously for ten months a year. In summer, it transforms into the Vallnord Bikepark, considered the best in the world.
  • Pal-Arinsal offers a variety of activities and special events, including popular races, special visits from Santa Claus and the Three Kings during Christmas, Carnivals, women's Skimo races, charitable Skimo events, Porsche and Ferrari gatherings, ultra trail championships, and more. All these features make Pal-Arinsal an ideal destination for various group ski trips.

As you will see below, Pal-Arinsal consists of two complementary sectors, ideal for diverse audiences. This makes it perfect for groups with members of different skiing levels. Let's analyze what each sector offers:

Pal Sector

  • This area is ideal for novice skiers in Andorra who are venturing into the beautiful and addictive world of skiing. It is popular among school and institute snow excursions. The gentle mountain profile and wide slopes make it perfect for learning the basics and are also suitable for families with children. The base is at an altitude of 1,900 meters in the area called "La Caubella," and its maximum altitude reaches 2,364 meters at Pic del Cubil.
  • All the services you need for your ski day are available at the base: ticket sales, equipment rental shops, a 'pekepark' for children, restaurants, a nursing station, Wi-Fi, ski school, etc.
  • Which slopes should you not miss? If you are comfortable on skis, try 'La Serra': it has a medium-high difficulty level (red), connects Pic del Cubil and Pla de la Cot, and offers a great descent. Another recommended slope is 'Coll de la Botella,' between Pal and the cable car connecting to Arinsal, which usually has a lot of snow and magnificent views.

Arinsal Sector

  • If Pal is the positive side, Arinsal is the flip side: this sector is ideal for those who prefer fast descents and has one of the largest vertical drops in Andorra, with over 1,000 meters of descent. Although it has slopes of different difficulty levels, black and red slopes predominate.
  • The Arinsal sector is known for hosting one of the most popular freeride areas, featuring one of the best black slopes in Andorra, "La Capa."
  • Here, you shouldn't miss descending the 'Es Les Mirrades' slope: with many curves, very fun, and it leads right down to the village of Arinsal, where you'll land without realizing it and with your skis on – one of the most beautiful and popular slopes in the resort. In fact, the sector is only five kilometers from the municipality with which it shares its name. However, don't think it's an area only for advanced skiers: there are trails of low, medium, and high difficulty levels.

Another point of special interest is the Arinsal Snowpark, which has modules for both beginners and advanced riders.

From Vallnord to Nordpass. Is it the same?

Do you remember Vallnord Andorra? Let's go back in history. It was an alpine ski resort in the Principality of Andorra that combined the domains of Pal Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalís, a union that took place in the 2004-2005 season. It had a total skiable surface area of 1,149 hectares and 89 kilometres, with 66 very varied slopes (10 green slopes, 22 blue, 27 red, 7 black and 6 slalom slopes). The altitude ranged from 1,550 metres to 2,625 metres.

We are talking about the past, but this does not mean that Vallnord Andorra has disappeared, but rather that it has been transformed (at least commercially speaking). In the 2015-2016 ski season, Vallnord Pal Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalís regained their self-management and independence from each other, so that the name "Vallnord" remained as a simple commercial brand. From 2022, the Vallnord name was no longer used. Currently, both Pal Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalís are part of Grandvalira Resorts of Andorra. It should be pointed out that both resorts are not directly linked by ski circuits, cable cars or lifts.

What used to be Vallnord Pal is now Pal Arinsal, a ski resort in La Massana with two areas - connected by a cable car - with 63 skiable kilometres, 47 slopes and 32 lifts. Ordino-Arcalís, on the other hand, has 30.5 kilometres with 29 slopes and 16 lifts. So to check the Vallnord webcam now to see the state of the slopes live, you will have to search for webcams in Pal Arinsal and webcams in Ordino-Arcalís.

On the other hand, the Vallnord Bike Park is well known, an exceptional MTB circuit that is considered the fourth best in the world: it is 60 kilometres long and has more than 1,000 metres of vertical drop. Nowadays, this mountain biker's paradise is called Bike Park de Pal Arinsal. It opens in summer on the slopes in winter and is complemented by a Mountain Park, ideal for families to enjoy in summer.

The Vallnord ski pass used to allow access to the slopes of Pal Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalís. Today there is something similar: the Nord Pass, a single joint pass offered by Grandvalira Resorts which allows access to any of these two ski areas in Andorra. It also includes a few days' skiing at the Grandvalira resort.

Reasons to choose a hotel + ski pass package in Pal Arinsal

Pal Arinsal is a ski resort in Andorra that connects both sectors with a cable car and has up to 63 kilometres of slopes of different levels of difficulty. It tends to be a popular destination for schools during the white week thanks to the varied offers and the affordable price of packages of ski pass plus hotel in Pal Arinsal. If this destination is one of the options you are considering for skiing, now you can afford it with these offers.

5 Reasons to book a package with hotel + ski pass in Andorra Pal Arinsal

Why hire a package that includes hotel plus ski pass in Pal Arinsal if you can book everything on your own? Is it safe to opt for this type of trip to the snow? What are the advantages of paying for hotels in Pal Arinsal with ski pass? Read more to find out all the advantages you'll have...

  • It's cheaper! A Pal Arinsal hotel and ski pass package is significantly cheaper than booking both on your own. This is possible thanks to the work and professionalism of specialised companies such as Estiber, who maintain a stable relationship with the resorts and hotels that allows them to obtain interesting discounts. And these, obviously, are passed on to the end customer, who is you, the skier.

 

  • It is flexible. The hotel packages in Pal Arinsal are not closed and limited to specific dates. You choose when you travel (a weekend, a whole week, on special dates such as Christmas, etc.) and in what form, if you prefer a hotel, a hostel... there are also flats with ski pass in Pal Arinsal, if you are one of those who want to have their own kitchen and common areas and to be able to cook with your family during your trip to Andorra. You decide when and how you want to go to Pal Arinsal!

 

  • You will save time. With a pack that includes hotel and ski pass in Pal Arinsal you'll have everything done in just one click or phone call. No more having to fill in details on different websites, make different phone calls, etc. Also, in your booking you will be able to include other services that you may need on your trip, such as ski equipment rental or hiring complementary activities.

 

  • The confidence of dealing professionals. Estiber has been in the skiing and other mountain sports sector since 1986, so we have not just arrived. We have a long experience that allows us to know everything you need so that you don't miss anything on your trip. In addition, with your ski pass and hotel package in Pal Arinsal you will have a single contact person to solve any doubts or problems that may arise, no more waiting calls and detours between telephone operators.

 

  • Modifications and cancellations. Undoubtedly, one of the great advantages of the hotel packages in Pal Arinsal with ski pass in Estiber is the possibility of changing the dates of your trip or cancelling it, completely free of charge in the majority of accommodation if you give at least 15 days' notice; you can see the time limit you have to enjoy this benefit when you make the booking. In addition, many of the hotel + ski pass offers in Pal Arinsal have the "snow guarantee" mark, with which you can also modify or cancel your booking if the Andorran resort is forced to close its slopes; look for this seal in the Estiber packs.
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FAQs

When does the 2024-2025 season start and end in Pal-Arinsal?

The Pal Arinsal ski resort opens its gates on the feast of Immaculate in December and the planned date for the end of the 2023-2024 season is after Easter.


How many skiing kilometres and slopes are there?

The Pal-Arinsal resort currently has 63 km of skiable areas spread over 42 tracks of all levels: 7 green, 15 blue, 16 red and 7 black.


Does it have Snow Parks and an off-piste area?

Yes, the Pal-Arinsal resort has a Snow Park and an off-piste area.


What is the best time of year to ski in the Pal-Arinsal?

The months of December to February. At Estiber you will find special offers for Christmas, New Year's Eve, Epiphany, long weekends and other special dates.


Are there rental services for ski equipment, restaurants, and others?

The Pal-Arinsal resort has 2 ski schools, 200 instructors and a childcare service. It also has cafeterias and restaurants.


What happened to Vallnord, the former domain that included Pal-Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalís?

Vallnord, the resort that combined the domains of Pal-Arinsal and Ordino-Arcalís over a total of 93 km of ski slopes and a vertical drop of 1,200m, was dissolved between 2019 and 2020, giving way to an association of all Andorran domains under the name Grandvalira Resorts Andorra. Now, you can ski in the former domains of Vallnord with the Nord Pass or in all 3, including Grandvalira, with the Andorra Pass.