Arinsal has long been a favourite with British skiers and snowboarders with a sizable number of Brits not just taking their ski holidays here but also running bars and restaurants. It’s a fun and friendly resort where it’s easy to have a relaxed ski holiday and just enjoy yourself. Simple!

The village itself has gradually become more polished over the years and now has quite a classic mountain town feel. There are still plenty of great bars and restaurants to choose from, as well as the duty free shops that have played a big part in Andorra’s success, but you see a lot more polished stone and rustic wood used in buildings and a lot less concrete than you did when the area was Europe’s main cheap-and-cheerful destination back in the 1980s.

The ski area has also changed almost beyond recognition over the years, first with a nice fast gondolas connecting it to the neighbouring ski region of Pal back in 2000-1 and the becoming part of the VallNord region a few years later which also encompasses another ski area - Arcalis – all on the one lift pass (although it’s a shuttle bus ride to Arcalis, it’s not yet connected by ski lifts). It’s up to you whether you buy a lift pass just valid in the Pal-Arinsal area or the slightly more expensive VallNord pass.

Whichever you choose you’ll have access to lots of sunny, rewarding ski slopes which are also home to some of Europe’s best terrain parks as well as some excellent English speaking ski schools (many staffed by Brits, Kiwis and Aussies) for children and adults alike.

Learn more about Arinsal at skiweekends.com

• Arinsal is the closest major Andorran ski village to the principality’s capital La Vella, reputed to be home to 2,000 (mostly duty free) shops as well as facilities like the superb Caldea   public spa.
• Although best known for its great beginner and intermediate level terrain, VallNord does have four black runs including the most challenging, La Devesa, and the Arcalis ski area has a   reputation for having the best snow in Andorra, and for its freeride terrain.
• Arinsal has a reputation for one of the best apres ski scenes in Europe with more than two dozen bars and restaurants serving up duty free drinks and affordable meals with a smile.
• The Pal-Arinsal only lift ticket is one of the most affordable in Andorra and Western Europe. A six day adult pass costs just under 200 Euros, more than 25% less than the Grandvalira   equivalent (for Pas de la Casa and Soldeu) and about 35% less than some of the regional passes in the French Alps.