martes, 19 de febrero de 2013

ANDORRA - VALLNORD: ARINSAL AND ARCALIS



In Andorra there are mainly two large ski domains, which are actually the sum of several ski resorts that have finished growing up linking facilities to form two large areas: Grandvalira and Vallnord.

Recently I spent a weekend in Andorra la Vella and I enjoyed two sunny days. We were truly lucky because these days were lovely while in the previous weekends the weather was cloudy and snowy. The first day we went to Arinsal and the second one we skied in Arcalís.



Vallnord Arinsal


Reaching Arinsal Ski Resort in Andorra is easy because you can drive to the village of Arinsal and park next to cablecar. With the cablecar in 5 minutes you are in the Arinsal Ski Resort.

For me, a beginner in ski, the drawback of Arinsal is that there are few green slopes and these are a bit narrow to go staggering and turn easily.


Andorra Vallnord Arinsal Ski Resort
Ready to start our ski weekend in Andorra Vallnord


Andorra Vallnord Arinsal
On saturday we skied in Arinsal ski resort, belonging to Andorra Vallnord


Arinsal Ski Resort in Andorra Vallnord
As you can see the day in Andorra Vallnord Arinsal was lovely



Restaurant in Arinsal Ski Resort in Andorra
Panoramix restaurant in Arinsal ski resort in Andorra


Pyrenees from Arinsal ski resort in Andorra
 Fantastic view from Panoramix restaurant in Arinsal ski resort in Andorra


Restaurant of Arinsal ski resort in Andorra Vallnord
Inside the restaurant of Arinsal ski resort in Andorra Vallnord



Vallnord Arcalís


In the ski resort of Arcalís I found a fantastic green slope for me wide a moderate slope. Here there is Megaverda slope too, a really long green slope.

However, to reach the area of beginners in Arcalís we have to take a free shuttle bus (every fifteen minutes) from the parking.

Another drawback is that Arcalís is not accessible by cable car, so you have to drive 15 km from La Massana.


Arcalís ski resort in Andorra Vallnord
On sunday we went to Arcalís ski resort and it was a lovely day too


Arcalís ski resort in Andorra Vallnord
Arcalís ski resort in Andorra Vallnord


Arcalís in Andorra Vallnord
A break in the restaurant of Arcalís in Andorra Vallnord


Andorra Vallnord Arcalís Ski Resort
A last picture before going to the restaurant of Arcalís ski resort in Andorra




Other ski resorts in Andorra where you can ski or enjoy a snowshoes activity are:

  • Grandvalira (Pas de la Casa - Grau Roig) (www.grandvalira.com)
  • Vallnord (Pal - Arinsal - Arcalis) (www.vallnord.com)
  • Naturlandia (www.naturlandia.ad)


You can find more pictures of Andorra clicking on the following links:


Finally, if you liked these landscapes, clicking on the next links you will find links to other fantastic places in the Pyrenees of Catalonia and France, like:

- Catalonia: