As the most remote resort in Andorra, it's easy to assume Arcalis is not worth a day-trip but that would be a shame, as the variety of the terrain is better than most of the other resorts, even if the extent is not up to much.
The slopes are made up of two valleys which join with a central ridge, creating a horseshoe shape. To the left of the ridge is the main valley, the Cercle d'Arcalis, which is bowl-shaped and is well populated on its left flank with trees. It also contains most of the lifts, which fan out from the base lodge. The ridge provides a couple of steep, sheltered, north-facing pistes back into the right of the bowl, and access to the south-facing runs off the side.
There are long blues and reds which run down the second valley, the Cercle de la Coma, which is tree-free. These runs return to the base station around the end of the ridge. Snow reliability is good. Artificial snow covers the base area and some pistes leading into it. The height of the area, which starts a good 400m higher than Arinsal, also adds to the length of the season.
Of all the resorts in Andorra, Arcalis has the most to offer experts. The black run that leads from the ridge back down towards the base is steep, and often mogulled, while the red run it connects to starts from the top of the main chair, going through a spectacular gulley before widening out.
There is also plenty of space between runs for off-piste forays, especially in the Cercle de la Coma. Arcalis is well-known for heli-skiing; the mountains facing the area are favored by the guides. Intermediates are well catered for, with smooth, long blues and reds being the main feature of Arcalis's slopes. These head through the trees in the Cercle d'Arcalis, and a couple of variations of wide, open runs on blues and reds down through the Cercle de la Coma.
The beginners' slopes are conveniently located near the base lodge, with a couple of drag-lifts leading to some longer blue runs. Liftlines are not a problem; midweek you can explore the resort and see hardly anyone. At the weekend the area is much busier, especially in good weather, but the approach road/car park has lifts at a number of different places, and with recent investment in high-speed chairs there shouldn't be a long wait at the bottom.
Nearest Airport: Barcelona (190km) Bus from airport Shuttle from airport
Details about ski resort
Number of ski runs: 13
All slopes (km): 28,5
Night skiing False
Opening date: 6.12.2008
Closing date 19.4.2009
Maximum vertical drop (m): 685
Artificial snow (%): 50
Green (km):
Blue (km): 5,2
Red (km): 7,8
Black (km): 13
Longest slope (km): km
Green: 6
Blue: 7
Red: 11
Black: 2
General information
Min. altitude: 1940m Max. altitude: 2625m
Airport connections
Nearest Airport: Barcelona (190km)
Bus from airport True
Shuttle from airport True
Closest railway station: La tour de carol : L’hopsotalet pres de l’Andorre (60km)
Direct bus from railway station True
Direct shuttle from railway station True
--- winter ---
Lift facilities
Drag lift True
Chair lift True
Cable car
Gondola
Connected resorts
Connection available with other ski resorts with one ski-pass True
Connected resorts The VALLNORD SKI PASS allows you to skiat the ski resort of VALLNORD PAL - ARINSAL.
Max. length (km) reachable with one ski-pass: 89
Snowboard, free style park
Half pipe
Fun park True
Corner
Wave rides
Snowboard cross
Jumps
Slides
Boxen
Snowboard park description In Vallnord Arcalis the snowborders and freeriders can enjoy 3 free-ride area, a freestyle area and a Snow park.
Cross country skiing
Classic cross country runs (km)
Skate cross country runs (km)
Additional activities
Snow tubing
Curling
Tobogganing
Paragliding
Sleigh trips
Heli skiing True
Dog sled
Ice skating
Winter hiking
Public infrastructure
Indoor pool True
Indoor tennis
Sauna True
Hot spring
Fitness centre True
Casino
Massage centre
Camping True
Children
Child slope True
Child lift True
Children's park True
Childcare True
Child carpet lift True
Gastronomy
Restaurants 4
Bars / Pubs 3
Discotheques
Ski huts
Rentals
Rent-a-ski, boots, ski poles True
Rent-a-snowboard True
Rent-a-touring ski
Rent-a-telemark ski
Rent-a-sport outfit
Ski depot
Rent-a-car
--- summer ---
Sporting activities
Tennis
Beach volley
Inline skating
Kayak
Paintball
Animal observation spots
Adrenaline park
Hunting
Squash
Basketball
Cycle paths True
Canoe
Gliding
Panorama flights True
Archery False
Diving
Badminton
Football
Surfing
Hiking True
Fishing
808098'08080'8908 [field:sport_winter_skiing]
Nordic walking True
Volleyball
Skateboard
Sailing
Horse riding
Mini golf
Cave exploring
Running paths True
Golf True
Golf holes 9
Mountain bike
Signposted MTB routes
Downhill route
Free ride route
Bike park
Climbing
Fixed rope route True
Climbing park
Climbing centre
Climbing tours
Adventure
Rafting
Paragliding
Bungee jumping True
Canyoning True
Hydrospeed
Adrenaline park
Course, school, guidance, animation
Tennis
Climbing
Kayak
Public animation
Badminton
Mountaineering
Horse riding
Squash
Surfing
Paragliding
Golf
Sailing
Nordic walking
Nature experience
Zoo
Petting zoo
Stables
Nature trail
National park
Rentals
Bicycle / Mountain bike
Surfing / Sailing
Kayak
Canoe
Walking boots
Mountain sports equipment
Nordic walking poles
Boats
Fishing equipment
Scooter, motorcycle
Public infrastructure
Supermarket True
Camping True
Chemist
Cinema
Railway station
Bowling
Internet café True
Billiards True
Public wellness
Solarium
Thermal spa
Bathing river
Fitness centre
Outdoor pool
Bathing lake
Massage centre
Indoor pool
Beauty farm
Sauna centre
Additional information
Snow shoes, Snowmobiles, Helicopter transfert to Arinsal, Heli skiing, Helicopter sightseeing, Indoor pool, In Ordino Village: Sport Centre, Sauna, Fitness, Camping, Restaurants - 4 at the ski area, Bars/Pubs - 3 at the ski area.
Specials
Bike Park Camps 08, 4th to 17th August and 18th to 31st August.
Click here to hire ski equipment.
