63 km
1550 m - 2560 m
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Test report Pal-Arinsal-La Massana (Vallnord)
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Pal-Arinsal-La Massana (Vallnord)
Total result: 3.7 out of 5 stars
Test Pal-Arinsal-La Massana (Vallnord)
The review Pal-Arinsal-La Massana (Vallnord) was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Pal-Arinsal-La Massana (Vallnord)
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Runs/slopes
Altitude difference
1010 m (Valley 1550 m - Mountain 2560 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
26 · Heli-skiing
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 6 ← 5
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 6 ← 5
Photos
Runs/slopes
Total 63 km
Easy
31 km
(49 %)Intermediate
24 km
(38 %)Difficult
8 km
(13 %)
Longest run
7 km
Run location
above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
Photos
Number of ski lifts
26 · Heli-skiing
Total capacity
39200 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
21.3 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
1
2
12
9
2
Additional
5
Photos
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
296 Snow canons
40 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is practically always open.
Season 2009/2010
135 Days open
135 Days when valley run open
135 Days when valley run open
The slope preparation is very good.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Further evaluation criteria
Access via Autovia E-9, Ausfahrt Berga
- Arinsal Gondola (Arinsal), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 104 km · approx. 111 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, Mountain road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
Access via Autobahn E09, Ausfahrt Tarascon-sur-Ariège
- Arinsal Gondola (Arinsal), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 97 km · approx. 103 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, Mountain road, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
Photos
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Ski busses
- Scheduled busses
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are only a few accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Arinsal
Distance to ski resort - La Massana
Distance to ski resort 1-2 km - Pal
Distance to ski resort
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Evaluation criteria for special interests
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
- Playground / park
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Special slopes for slower skiers / beginners
- Easy valley run
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
Photos
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
- few mogul slopes
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 63 km
Difficult
8 km
(13 %)Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- Halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Corner / Hip
- Boardercross
- Waverides
Conclusion
family friendly with animation
no run between Arcalis and Pal
Detailed description of the ski resort
The ski area Pal-Arinsal is attainable from Pal and Arinsal. By car, it goes in Pal until 1950m (La Caubella), as well as at Coll de la Botella up to 2069m. From the free parking places, the lifts start directly into the ski resort. At Pal, intermediate to easy slopes lead through forest-aisles and are served by two high speed detachable quads, three fix gripped quads and some t-bars. Advanced skiers or riders can take the advanced run La Comellada and the free ride area nearby. In order to get to Arinsal, you must take the aerial tramway from Coll de la Botella direction Pic Negre up to 2560m. From Arinsal, a double chair and a six person gondola lead up into the ski resort. The slopes in Arinsal are mostly easy and for beginners very well-suited. With two long quads you reach the Pic Negre and the aerial tramway back to Pal. The slopes in Arinsal are on mostly tree-free hillsides and it is also a groomed freestyle area with an own lift close to the top-station of the quad Les Fonts. Beginners find the new quad El Cortal at the top-station of the six person gondola from the valley and the double chair Bambi, specifically for them erected. Advanced find also some steep slopes, that are opened up with a t-bar, from the top-station of the aerial tramway. Going back to Pal, you have to take the aerial tramway, then the quad La Botella in direction La Caubella and you will reach the big parking place again. Since 2004 on, a new eight person high speed gondola take the guest from La Massana to La Caubella and so you can reach the skiing area comfortably, also after fresh snowfall.
Beginners find an easy double chair, a people mover and good animation in La Caubella, so that the winter-sport makes fun to everybody. For a break or lunch there are many nice restaurants and cottages distributed in the ski resort, offering foods of different countries.
Test Report issued on 2004-01-17
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