Arinsal Andorra

28th September 2008

Anyone planning to work in Andorra this winter, remember you need to apply for your police report now if you haven't already. This will give you time to get the Legalisation stamp, or Apostille (see Number One's detailed report for more information).

Also, any ski and snowboard instructors reading, don't forget to email the Ski School by the end of the month to let them know you will be coming back.

11th July 2008

Things have been a bit quiet here recently, as you may have noticed. Since the ski season finished there haven't been a lot of new items on the site. It is nice to see that plenty of you are visiting and using the Forum. We have been quite busy behind the scenes, so here is a rundown of what we have been working on:-

Firstly, we are planning a better hotel bookings system. Currently our Hotels Page offers links to an online bookings website (Alpha Rooms) for certain hotels. Unfortunately we have heard from a number of people that availability at that site is often quite limited, so we hope to offer our own system in conjunction with a local company.

Secondly, we are working on a Spanish translation of the main parts of the site, since there are a large number of Spanish visitors to Arinsal. We should really have the site in Frencch and Catalan as well, but one step at a time...

Sadly, the rumours in the Forum appear to be true, and the Red X has closed. It will be missed by many of us, and the walk to the nearest pub from the flat just got longer.

On the other hand we are hardly left with a shortage of bars in the village, and like any resort new bars tend to open with each new season.

The winter season has come to an end here in Arinsal - no more skiing until next year unless you walk up. The final weekend saw the annual Ski School Race, as well as the Arinsal Ski Club's end of season event and various barbecues and parties. The sun came out and the snow was good so there was plenty of entertainment.

The winners of the instructors race were as follows:-

Women's skiing - Mecchi
Men's skiing - Edur
Women's snowboarding - Nicole
Men's snowboarding - Punti
Women's combined (ski and snowboard times added) - Nicole
Men's combined - Edur
Fastest (and only) monoskier - Scott

Well done everybody. We'll see you all next year. The summer season is just around the corner, and next year's ski holidays are already on sale so get booking.

Well, it's snowing again, continuing the tradition of the last few years where the best snow of the season has arrived at the end. There are still two full weeks before the resort closes. The slopes and town are expected to be quiet, so there will be plenty of good skiing and finding somewhere to stay should not be a problem. A few of the tour companies are offering next week, including First Choice, Thomson and Crystal. For the rest of the companies this week is the last one in spite of the abundance of the white stuff.

In other news, the annual Arinsal Oscars party will be held tomorrow (Thursday) night in El Cau. This is the awards ceremony for the resort staff, with awards for various categories of good and bad behavior.

Tomorrow is St Patrick's day which means this week is usually popular with the Irish, and this year the week ends with Easter (and bank holidays) so it should be even more popular. The Weighless Astronauts from Gallway will be playing in the Derby Irish Bar all week, and also in the Hotel Palarine tomorrow (Monday) from about 10. If you are here this week, it should be a good one for the parties, as well as for the skiing.

Just like last year, March has begun with a big fall of snow. We have had a decent amount so far and it looks like continuing for a while. This has been a snowier season than last year up until now, and a good snowfall now will top things up nicely for a great end of season. Anyone coming to Arinsal over the next few weeks should be in for some great snow conditions.

Arinsal village today

As Number One points out in his report below, we have reached the quiet part of the season now that the school holidays have finished. There is still plenty of snow, and there will be until well into April. More snow is forecast over the next few days which should top things up nicely.

All in all this is a really good time of year to come, so if you were thinking about a last minute break, now is the time to book. Prices are cheaper, both for holidays and in resort for ski passes, lessons etc. The slopes are emptier and the weather tends to be nicer. Easter being early this year gives an extra opportunity to take a late March ski trip with less time off work or school.

3rd February 2008

The 16th Trofeu Borrufa has just been held in Arinsal and Arcalis. This is an annual event on the Junior FIS World Cup circuit. It is for national team skiers aged 11 - 14, so there may well have been a few future world champions racing. Arinsal saw two days of Slalom, while Arcalis hosted the GS and Super G.

The British contingent did well, with Ashley Hill coming second in the Slalom and third in the GS for the junior men. The junior ladies did evan better with Charlotte Guest winning the Slalom and getting third in the GS.

Not surprisingly the Spanish and Andorra teams did well on their local slopes, but the other team doing well were the Dutch. Overall, Spain were first, then Holland, Andorra third and Great Britain fourth.

Aside from the racing this week has also seen the yearly Carnival, so look out for upcoming pictures of skiers in fancy dress.