Arinsal Andorra

2nd November 2007

With Arinsal and Pal due to open for the winter early next month, it is a good time to look at the new developments on the slopes for this season. In Arinsal the effort has focussed on the children's facilities. The Snowgarden has been revamped and given a new theme (although what the theme is has yet to be announced) and the indoor Guarderia (Creche) has been extended.

Over in Pal the old four man El Cubil Chairlift has been replaced with new high-speed detachable six man chair. This should significantly speed up the return from Pal to Arinsal, giving you the chance to squeeze a few mre runs into a day there.

The biggest development on the horizon for Arinsal is the landscaping and snowmaking planned for the Les Marades run down to the village. This wil be combined with another new high speed six man chairlift making a huge difference to the lowest section of Arinsal's slopes. The project is planned for next summer, ready for the 2008/09 season. The result of all this should be to allow many more skiers to ski all the way down to the village rather than taking the gondola. So, if you want to enjoy Les Marades as it is now (a narrow, winding route through the forest with no snowmaking) then this winter is your last chance.

3rd October 2007

Well I was just checking our web site statistics, and we're definitely getting busier now with people checking out Arinsal and the information we have to offer on accomodation, skiing, help for first timers and so on.

Do feel free to post a note in our forum, especially if you have a question about skiing, or about Arinsal in particular. Or why not just be polite and say hello

Click here to go to the forum, or click here to make contact with the web site owners if you have suggestions, comments, or information.

We are also very interested in talking to Arinsal based businesses who might benefit from a presence on this web site - please use the contact form for enquiries.

27th September 2007

Well folks, we're officially in the first week of autumn. The temperature is falling, the days are getting shorter and the ski season is just around the corner. If you haven't booked your ski trip to Arinsal yet, what are you waiting for?

For those of you living in Ireland, or anywhere near Stanstead, Ryanair have announced that skis go free on all their flights. This is a marked contrast to their main competitor who charge an extra fifteen UK pounds each way for skis or snowboards. It's a real pity Ryanair don't use more British airports (Liverpool or Manchester please, if anyone from Ryanair is reading).

Arinsal has already had a dusting of snow in August, so it could just be getting ready for one great winter.

 See you all in Andorra

2nd September 2007

Now that we are in September, don't forget to apply for your police report if you plan to work in Arinsal this winter.  For those that have not worked here before, you need to apply for a statement of your police record at any police station. This usually takes about a month to arrive, and once you recieve it you need to either take or send it to the Legalisation office (see the FCO website for details) to get a Legalisation stamp which proves it is genuine. Remember to bring the stamped police report with you to hand over to the Andorran Immigration office. It is only valid for three months, so don't apply too early, but don't leave it too late either.

Please note that a CRB Disclosure cannot be given the Legalisation stamp, so the Andorrans will not usually accept one. We know that a CRB is a higher level, more secure check, and does not need to be Legalised to prove it is genuine, but it is not the piece of paper the immigration official is expecting so he or she will probably reject it. Even if you have a recent CRB Disclosure, get a standard police report as well.

14th July 2007 

For those of you in Andorra for the summer, there will be a Go Kart tournament on Saturday 25th August. Teams of three in a Le Mans style relay. Tigger at the Red X Bar is organising everything so see him for all details, prices, and pre/post race activities (drinks and barbecue etc).

 20th April 2007

Well, that's it for the 2006/07 ski season folks. The lifts shut on Sunday all over Andorra and the winter workers are already drifting away. As you can see from the photograph the Gondolas have been taken off the wire and put away for the season. The last batch of winter photos are now in the Gallery - proof that even now there is still lots of snow around.

The town is gradually moving into summer mode - the sun is shining, barbecues are out and the pace of life is a lot more relaxed. Although Arinsal might be best known as a winter resort, there is still plenty to do here in the summer - mountain biking, hiking, via ferrata, golf etc. And if you're feeling less energetic there are the shops and spa in Andorra La Vella of course.

And for the skiers; well, we'll see you next year - don't forget you can stay in touch using our Forum. Hasta Luego

30th March 2007 

Many of you will know that The Pyrenees and The Alps have not had the best of seasons this time. Little and late snow has made the skiing season difficult throughout Europe.

Well, here in the Pyrenees we had a great big dump of snow last week, and weather conditions this week have been fabulous - it has stayed cold, so all the new snow has remained in good condition. This week, regular small falls of snow have helped keep everything just perfect.

As is usual for the end of March, the numbers of visitors to the resort in Arinsal has dropped. Here we are skiing around on great snow with quiet pistes... what could be better? !!  Normally we would be describing the snow as 'spring conditions', but this week it's definitely been 'powder', then 'packed powder'. Wow.

Last week, for the first time this winter, we have had all the runs in the resort open.

Hope I'm making you jealous.. .:)

Wednesday 21st March 2007 - It started snowing on Monday, and it hasn't stopped!  It just keeps falling...!

Anyone coming out next week to the Pyrenees for skiing is going to have the best conditions ever - get that late deal booked now!

Check out the links page and the travel page for tour operators and independent travel arrangements...

Last week there was a couple of  nice snow days, and some very pleasant sunny days. We had the best of both worlds!

Today, Monday, has started with proper snowfall, and the forecasts are suggesting that the big dump might continue for a couple more days... ooo that would be nice. Looks like the car will be staying put for a while then - now what did I do with that shovel?

Gondola Top Station, about 4pm today.