Vallnord Skiing Holidays
Vallnord is the ski area created by the linking of Arinsal, Pal, La Massana and Ordino-Arcalis in Andorra, a region now incorporating 90km of skiable terrain, with 70 runs and 43 lifts. Along with Grandvalira, these much larger lift linked areas are the result of a huge investment by Andorra, adding high speed lifts, state of the art snowmaking equipment, and updated accommodation in a bid to shed its’ cheap and cheerful image. The sunshine and the snowsure, relatively easy slopes, together with famously good ski instruction and lively apres-ski at very competitive prices, all make Vallnord a popular ski holiday for beginners and families.
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Skiing in Vallnord - The Mountains
Arinsal and Pal, which were linked by gondola in 2000, now form the largest ski area in Vallnord, with 64km, and both areas offer very differing terrain. Arinsal, situated at 1500m, is full of wide, east facing slopes, which have the benefit of the morning sun, and the runs are very open because of the lack of trees. This terrain is perfect for beginner skiers, and, this being Andorra, the ski instruction is extremely good. Once you reach Pic Negre, at 2572m, you can descend the mountain, choosing the few longer reds for speed, or take the cablecar to Coll de la Botella, and explore the Pal region, at 1780m. Here you will find short north facing slopes, and plenty of tree-lined runs, with the terrain being more challenging than that of Arinsal. The most highly rated and difficult skiing in Vallnord is in Arcalis, at the end of the Ordino Valley, a favourite with the locals, its’ north facing slopes set in a glacial bowl, with lots of off-piste skiing. Arcalis borders France and its’ more isolated location makes for fairly uncrowded slopes. Skiers in Vallnord generally stay in Arinsal, but the town of La Massana is also a great place to be based, with a 12 person gondola providing access to Pal, and a 20 minute drive to Arcalis.
Skiing in Vallnord - The Apres-ski
Arinsal has long been known for its’ fast paced nightlife with such favourites as the Rocky Mountain Bar, the Surf Bar and the English and Irish pubs, Quo Vadis and The Derby. Here food, and especially drink, is so much cheaper that in England or any other European resorts, it’s no wonder that the partying continues well into the night. There is a huge array of restaurants to choose from, offering everything from Mexican to Chinese, as well as local Catalan fare, and the hotels house many of Vallnords’ great places to dine. With Vallnords’ close proximity to Andorras’ capital, La Vella, making the most of the duty-free shopping is easy.
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