Introduction
A great choice for beginners and intermediates:  with a compact ski area, acclaimed ski school, great value prices, and vibrant nightlife.

Located in the mid- to north-west of Andorra, in the parish of La Massana, the Pal-Arinsal ski area comprises two lift-linked ski stations that were originally separate entities; Andorra's first full-size cable car has linked the two ski areas since the 2000/01 season, although there are still no linking pistes. Direct access gondolas to the slopes are based in the resort of Arinsal (for the Arinsal sector) and the parish capital of La Massana (for the Pal sector).

A third, separate, ski station called Arcalís, located some distance away in the neighbouring parish of Ordino, is also included on the same hands-free lift pass and the combined domain is known as Vallnord.

The Roof of Andorra
La Massana ranks fourth in Andorra's ancient protocol of parishes and is home to the greatest number of British expat residents. This parish also contains the greatest number of Andorran mountain summits including, at 2942 m (9652 ft), the Pic de Coma Pedrosa, the highest peak in the Principality.

Pronunciation
Arinsal = AR-EEN-SAL
La Massana = LAMAS-ANNA
Pal = PAL (Duh!)

Year-Round Appeal
Vallnord is marketed as a ‘Mountain Park’, rather than simply a ski area; with a host of alternative activities on offer and a mission to attract guests year-round, particularly families with young children. Although the villages lack any real alternative attractions for children, especially in the evenings, the ski stations themselves do provide admirable facilities and services to keep the little ones occupied during the day.

As a result, Arinsal and La Massana offer Andorra's best choices for families, and their proximity to cosmopolitan Andorra la Vella should appeal to those visitors looking for more than a purely snowsports-centric holiday.