The Pal-Arinsal ski resort lies to the west of the Andorran state of La Massana and north of the capital, La Vella. Skiing is ideally suited to the absolute beginner or lower intermediate, making Pal-Arinsal a great first-time venue for those looking to learn. Together with the hectic nightlife, Pal-Arinsal is mainly geared to the young, but excellent childcare also makes it a good family destination.

Pal and Arinsal are two small Alpine villages with the bulk of the accommodation in Arinsal. The emphasis here is on budget accommodation, though there is a complement of four-star hotels. The après-ski and nightlife is wild, especially on weekends, but if you want more of a choice, head for nearby La Vella, which has its fair share of bars and discos. An excellent kindergarten is on hand.

Between the two resorts there are 41 pisted runs through 63kms of wooded glades and open slopes for mostly beginner and intermediate skiers; the longest run is three kilometres. There are also five FIS slalom courses. Thirty lifts, including one cable car, one gondola, 12 chairlifts (eight quads, four doubles), and 16 surface lifts, have a total lift capacity for 31,700 skiers per hour.

For some expert slopes, head for the largest ski resort in Andorra, Pas de la Casa, in the east. The road offers breathtaking views and scenery as it climbs up to the Port d'Envalira, which, at 2,403m, is the highest road pass in the Pyrenees. The other thing to do in Andorra is to shop, and the capital city, La Vella, has a huge range of goods in its duty-free stores.

The ski season runs from December to April, with cheaper rates offered before the Christmas holidays, in mid-January, and towards the end of the season. The most practical way to get to Pal-Arinsal is to fly to Toulouse or Barcelona and take a scheduled bus, or hire a car.