Arinsal ski resort in Andorra is an idyllic village in the heart of the Pyrenees. Small in size, it's got all you need at your fingertips - making it the perfect place for a family ski break with little ones.
Heaps of wide, gentle tree-lined runs make Arinsal ski holidays a favourite amongst beginners and anyone whose idea of the perfect ski holiday is cruising mellow pistes.
Situated at 1,500m and with a range of runs climbing as high as 2,600m, Arinsal skiing is a good bet for those looking for great POW totals. Plus, with an army of snow cannons at the ready, the pistes are always kept topped up, even through dry spells.
With reliable snow cover for most of the season, there are plenty of good times to go skiing in Arinsal. You’ll find the best bargains outside the peak periods of Christmas, New Year, and February. But there’ll be more of a lively atmosphere when the town is busy. Thinking of a spring Arinsal ski holiday? March is a great time to enjoy the best of what the resort has to offer – and that’s good snow, decent prices and a mountain load of end-of-season après fun.
Snow conditions in Arinsal
Snowfall in Arinsal usually gets started in December, but the heaviest dumps tend to happen in January. Temperatures remain pretty steady throughout the season but creep up in March where the days get longer, which equals more time to shred – perfect for a late-season getaway. Arinsal ski resort is also equipped with nearly 300 snow canons, so there’ll always be at least 28km of pistes to explore in the Arinsal and Pal ski area.
Things to do in Arinsal
Snow much fun! - Ski biking, sledging, tubing, or, for an extra adrenaline rush, take a spin around the snowmobile track.
Magic Gliss toboggan ride- Head 10mins down the road to Canillo to reach speeds of up to 40 km/h!
Big Zip Zipline - Soar above the mountains like an eagle with a trip on this 300-meter-long zipline.
Princesa Parc Spa - Relax and unwind withsensory experiences, saunas, and cold water therapy.
The Caldea Thermal Spa - One of the largest spas in Europe, with 18 floors of hydrotherapy pools – super zen.
Restaurants in Arinsal
Restaurant 360 - Tuck into burgers, steaks, and fondue on this sun-trap terrace next to the main gondola.
Ruta 40 - One for big groups. This hidden gem delivers big on flavour and big on portion size.
Surf - This cosy, modern Argentinian-themed steakhouse serves up tasty barbequed meats and loaded empanadas.
El Xalet - The perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings.
Nightlife & Apres in Arinsal
Arinsal’s après offers plenty to enjoy after the last lifts...
Polar Bar - Kickstart your evening at this alfresco après bar overlooking the slopes from the top of the main gondola.
El Derby - A lively Irish bar that rewards your loyalty with free beer! Also home to ‘Video Ski’ – see if you can spot yourself skiing on daily video outtakes from the slopes.
Cisco’s - A Mexican cave bar with free nachos and ice cream for kids, live sports, and party-of-the-day deals.
El Moli - If you prefer a quieter night, El Moli, opposite the main gondola, is a super convenient spot to catch up with mates and natter over a beer or glass of wine.
FAQs about Arinsal ski holidays Your questions answered by our Arinsal ski resort expert
Is Arinsal good for skiing?
Yes, Arinsal offers great, varied skiing, with a good mix of mellow blue, red, and steeper pistes through the treeline, perfect for beginners, intermediates, and expert skiers and snowboarders. The variety of slopes and Arinsal’s cheap accommodation, ski hire, and lesson costs make it a haven forgroups and families looking to try the sport for the first time.
When’s the best time to book an Arinsal ski holiday?
January, February, and March are the best times to book an Arinsal ski holiday, with these months providing the best snow coverage of Arinsal’s ski season.
Generally, if you’re looking for cheap Arinsal ski holidays, the best times to book are Januaryand March, outside the school holidays at Christmas and New Year.
However, for families, Christmas and Half Term Arinsal ski holidays are the perfect time for little ones, and as long as you book early, you can still find some great deals on Arinsal ski trips, ski lessons, and flights.
Is Arinsal good for cheap ski holidays?
Yes, Arinsal is a great option for cheap ski holidays, especially for groups of friends and families. Compared to the price of many larger alpine resorts in France, Austria, and Italy, Andorra’s Arinsal ski resort offers great value for money, especially when it comes to booking ski lessons, grabbing gear hire, eating and drinking out, or getting the best deals on accommodation and flights.
How snow-sure is an Arinsal ski holiday?
Arinsal is fairly snow-sure, with a resort altitude of 1,500m and runs climbing just shy of 2,600m. These heights mean the resort generally sees reliable snow coverage throughout the ski season, with an army of snow cannons keeping pistes topped up when needed.
Is Arinsal ski resort high altitude?
Arinsal is considered a mid-altitude resort, sitting at around 1,550m and with the highest lifts reaching slopes at around 2,560m. This means Arinsal’s pistes receive decent snow reliability throughout the ski season.
Is Arinsal good for beginner skiing?
Yes, Arinsal is a fantastic resort for beginner skiers and snowboarders. As well as being a great value ski resort, there are heaps of gentle nursery slopes close to town, several green and blue runs to build your confidence on, and great ski schools with English-speaking instructors for group and private lessons.
Looking for the best beginner ski resorts in Andorra? Click here.
Is Arinsal good for family ski holidays?
Yes, Arinsal is fantastic for family ski holidays. Many families choose to visit the Arinsal ski resort for its great nursery areas and beginner slopes, affordable ski schools, and its small size, which means everything you need is right there at your fingertips.
Looking for the best family ski resorts in Andorra? Click here.
Is Arinsal good for snowboard holidays?
Yes. Beginner and intermediate snowboarders in particular will enjoy Arinsal’s good mix of greens and blues, with the addition of a snow park and a few steeper red and black pistes, should you fancy a challenge.
Where do you fly into for Arinsal?
Typically, you would fly into either Toulouse Airport or Barcelona Airport for ski trips to Arinsal.
Is Arinsal linked with any other ski resorts?
Yes. Arinsal has a cable-car/gondola route into Andorra’s Vallnord Pal-Arinsal ski area, with a total of around 63km of pistes to explore.
What’s the best ski run in Arinsal ski resort?
For those seeking a challenge, the uppermost slopes on the Pic Alt de la Capa and Pic Negre offer some fantastic snappy reds and blacks, as well as a snowpark, should you fancy trying out some tricks.
However, for more laid-back skiers and snowboarders, Arinsal has a great pair of long, cruisy blue pistes which descend down from the upper bowl of Pic Negreto Arinsal’s base area.
Hotels & Apartments in Arinsal
Our top recommended hotels and apartments. To find the perfect one for you, speak to one of our specialists