Pal Arinsal (formerly Vallnord), a destination worth discovering

If so, this article is for you, because I am going to tell you what you can do at the former Vallnord, known today as Pal Arinsal. Want to know more? Then read on.

Pal Arinsal, the former Vallnord, is part of Grandvalira Resorts

If you are looking for Vallnord, what you will find today is Pal Arinsal. Since the 2022-23 season it has been part of Grandvalira Resorts, together with Grandvalira and Ordino Arcalís. It has two sectors, Pal and Arinsal, both in the parish of La Massana, linked by a gondola since 2001. It has plenty to offer in both winter and summer, and it suits groups of friends and families with children alike.

And if you are staying at Hotel Grau Roig, which appears in the MICHELIN Guide, you have Grandvalira on the doorstep and can set aside a day for an outing to the other side of the country.

In winter

Its slopes add up to 63 km of skiable terrain and 707 hectares, between 1,550 and 2,560 metres above sea level. The Grandvalira Resorts dossier for the 2025-26 season counts 48 runs across the two sectors, for all levels.

There are three key lifts for getting up the mountain: the La Massana gondola, which leaves from the town centre at about 1,825 m and climbs to about 2,500 m in six-seater cabins; the Arinsal gondola; and the Josep Serra chairlift. If you plan to travel by bus between the parishes and the slopes, check routes and times before you set off.

The ski season normally runs from December to April. Check the lift timetable on the official website, as it changes with the date and the snow conditions.

Before you go, it helps to know what you will find:

• Ski school. For different ages and levels, with lessons you can book in advance.
• Hire shops and ski storage. The resort offers ski hire, ski lockers and a Click & Collect service, so there is no need to carry your equipment around.
• Restaurants, cafés and terraces. The resort has 22 places to eat, including bars, cafés and restaurants, plus an après-ski scene.
• Areas for younger children. Ask at the resort about the children’s areas and the services available for each age group.
• Activities for non-skiers. Such as snowmobile routes, snowshoeing or a gondola ride with a pedestrian pass.

As for ski passes, there are several options, and the good news is that the system is shared by all three resorts:

• Andorra Pass. Unlimited access to Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís, with up to 308 km of slopes. In the 2026-27 pre-sale it cost €885 for non-residents.
• Nord Pass. Unlimited access to Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís, plus up to four days at Grandvalira for non-residents. In the same pre-sale it cost between €634.60 and €668.
• Day and multi-day passes. Multi-day passes can be combined with Ordino Arcalís and Grandvalira. Check the price for your dates on the official website.

The figures above are for the early-bird sale, which ended on 30 June; a different rate has applied since then. Conditions also vary according to age and place of residence, so treat them as a guide. If you are comparing resorts, our ski slopes in Andorra explains what Grandvalira is like.

In summer

This is when the resort takes on a different character. The slopes you skied down in winter become mountain bike trails, and the Pal Bike Park is the main reason to come.

The resort cites more than 60 km of trails for all levels, from June to October, and in 2026 its main attractions opened on 20 June. Dates vary from year to year, so confirm them before you travel.

Here is what you can expect to find:

• Downhill trails, some of them approved for the World Cup, plus enduro and cross-country.
• Family routes such as the blue-graded Blavet, which opened in 2026.
• Bike World, an area designed for children.
• Lifts for taking your bike up, such as the La Massana gondola and the Serra and Cubil chairlifts.
• A bike school with private and group lessons, and bike hire.
• Mountain Park, with zip lines and high-rope circuits.

It is competition territory too: Pal Arinsal hosted the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, and the World Cup returned from 9 to 12 July 2026. If your visit coincides with an event, book well in advance.

The two season passes I mentioned earlier extend into summer and include, for example, the Pal Arinsal Bike Park. The resort’s website also sells packages with food and accommodation.

If cycling does not appeal, walking routes set off from the upper area, and you will find more ideas in our hiking guide. And to see what else the country has to offer, take a look at things to do in Andorra.

Now it is over to you: pack your bags, call your friends and decide whether you are coming with skis or a bike.