Arinsal Pal
Pal Arinsal: 63km of slopes across two linked sectors, 1,475–2,572m. Family-friendly skiing 10km from Andorra la Vella.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
5 Dec 2026
Closes
4 Apr 2027
Days open
120
Annual snow
1.6m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Pal Arinsal combines two distinct ski sectors — Pal and Arinsal — into a 63-kilometre domain positioned in the La Massana parish on the western side of Andorra, with all skiable terrain running between 1,475m at the base and 2,572m at the summit. The two sectors each carry their own character: Pal offers wider, tree-lined intermediate terrain with scenic wooded runs accessed directly from La Massana by gondola, while the Arinsal sector opens onto a more elongated alpine bowl beneath Pic Alt de la Capa and Pic Negre, with the Marrades descent — Andorra's greatest altitude drop at over 1,000m from top to bottom — running all the way down to the village. The combined 44 runs break down to 16% beginner, 39% intermediate, 36% advanced, and 9% expert terrain, making Pal Arinsal one of the most accessible and family-oriented resorts in the Pyrenees.
Beyond the pistes, the resort has built a compelling off-snow offering including snowshoe trails, snowmobile tours, a freestyle snowpark with beginner, intermediate, and expert lines, and a winter bike park regarded as one of the most technically demanding in southern Europe. The resort's Nord Pass also provides access to the separate Ordino Arcalís domain, Andorra's most committed freeride destination, giving multi-day visitors a natural extension to their skiing. For families in particular, the resort's Children's Garden learning area, après-kids programming, and dedicated snow garden for 4 to 8-year-olds make Pal Arinsal a sound choice for first-time ski holidays.
1097m
Vertical
44
Runs
63 km
Piste
1.6m
Annual snow
Nord Pass
Pass
The Terrain
44 runs across 63 km of piste
Arinsal Pal is a two-sided ski area in western Andorra, linking the Pal and Arinsal sectors with 63 kilometres of piste over 44 runs, from 1,475 metres to 2,572 metres. The 1,097-metre vertical delivers real length, and the grading is balanced but with a serious edge: 39% intermediate, 36% advanced, 16% beginner and 9% expert. A cable car at Coll de la Botella connects the two valleys, so the day can start on either side and finish on the other. It is a smaller, calmer area than the big Andorran names, with queues usually short.
Arinsal is the steeper face, where the slopes under Pic Alt de la Capa and Pic Negre throw up moguls and black pitches, and the long Marrades descent runs nearly the full vertical back to the village. Pal is friendlier, with wide tree-lined pistes that suit intermediates and children. Les Fonts, reached from either side, mixes blues, reds and blacks. Off-piste skiing exists on the upper bowls, but it is best done with a guide. This resort suits families, confident intermediates and skiers wanting variety in a compact area.
Terrain split
44
runs
44 runs across 4 grades
Beginner7 runs · 16%
Intermediate17 runs · 39%
Advanced16 runs · 36%
Expert4 runs · 9%
Time it right
When to visit Arinsal Pal
Pal Arinsal operates from early December through to early April, with the 2025/26 season running from 3 December 2025 to 5 April 2026. The resort sits above 1,475m at its lowest point, with the core service area around Comallempla at 1,950m, giving the upper terrain genuine snow reliability through a typical Pyrenean winter. Average annual snowfall sits at 3.78m, and the current season has already recorded a base of 230cm at the mountain mid-station with 43cm falling in the past seven days — solid figures that reflect the principality's consistent snowfall pattern driven by Atlantic moisture systems moving across the Pyrenees from the west.
January and February are reliably the coldest months with the best natural snow conditions, though March historically produces the deepest snowpack across the upper bowl terrain. The snowmaking system covering 25 kilometres of piste provides critical early-season coverage, ensuring the resort can open on schedule regardless of natural conditions. The tree-lined runs in the Pal sector offer an additional advantage in variable conditions, holding snow better than exposed open faces and remaining skiable through warmer periods when higher, wind-exposed terrain deteriorates more quickly.
Season 2026 - 2027
5 Dec 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
120
Days open
1.6 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Arinsal Pal
Daily snow reports at Arinsal Pal go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
70 cm
Snowiest day
10 Dec 2021
0.3 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
159 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Arinsal Pal, and where to stay
Pal Arinsal sits in the La Massana parish in the northwest of Andorra, with the Arinsal village access point approximately 10 kilometres from the capital, Andorra la Vella, via the CG-5 road. The Pal sector gondola departs from the centre of La Massana — Andorra's second-largest town — just 6 kilometres from the capital, making Pal Arinsal the most conveniently located of Andorra's three ski resorts for visitors based in or around Andorra la Vella. Free ski bus services connect both sectors with La Massana throughout the season, and free parking is available at each base area, reducing the logistical friction common at resorts without direct valley access.
The two primary international gateways are Barcelona El Prat Airport in Spain, approximately three hours south via the Túnel del Cadí, and Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in France, roughly two to three hours north. Perpignan, Carcassonne, Girona, and Lleida-Alguaire airports provide further options for travellers from across Europe, with private transfers and scheduled coach services operating into La Massana from each. The nearby capital, Andorra la Vella, provides a full range of accommodation, the Caldea thermal spa complex — one of Europe's largest — and duty-free retail along Avinguda Meritxell, making the area function as a genuine destination beyond the ski season.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Arinsal Pal, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Arinsal Pal's ski season?
Arinsal Pal's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 5 through April 4. That window is roughly 120 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Andorra, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Arinsal Pal have?
Arinsal Pal lists about 63 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 44 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Arinsal Pal?
Trail grading at Arinsal Pal breaks down roughly as 16% beginner, 39% intermediate, 36% advanced, 9% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Arinsal Pal have?
Arinsal Pal operates 31 lifts across 7 lift types. The fleet includes 9 surface lifts, 7 t-bars, 6 quad chairs, 4 6-person chairs, 2 gondolas, 2 double chairs, and 1 aerial tram.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Arinsal Pal?
Base elevation at Arinsal Pal is about 1,475 m (4,839 ft), with the summit around 2,572 m (8,438 ft), giving roughly 1,097 m (3,599 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Arinsal Pal get each season?
Arinsal Pal averages about 159 cm (63 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Arinsal Pal accept the Nord Pass?
Arinsal Pal is affiliated with the Nord Pass. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Nord Pass, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Arinsal Pal lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €25 to €52, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Arinsal Pal before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 4 live mountain webcams, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Arinsal Pal so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Arinsal Pal have a trail map?
Yes. A live interactive map embeds current lift and run status when the provider supplies it, which is useful on-morning for seeing what is actually spinning. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Arinsal Pal. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Arinsal Pal located?
Arinsal Pal sits in Andorra, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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