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Ordino-Arcalís Resort Reviews



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Visitor reviews for Ordino-Arcalís Ski Resort

Ordino-Arcalís Ratings

Overall: 3.8. Based on 18 votes and 13 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.6

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Ordino-Arcalís is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.6

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Ordino-Arcalís has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 4.6

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.5

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 3.5

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Ordino-Arcalís.

Public Transport: 3.7

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Ordino-Arcalís, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 3.6

(1) No places to stay in/near Ordino-Arcalís, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 4.0

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 3.4

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Ordino-Arcalís.

Ski in/Ski out: 3.1

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 4.1

(1) There are no child care facilities at Ordino-Arcalís, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 3.9

(1) Ordino-Arcalís relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.3

(1) There are no snow groomers at Ordino-Arcalís, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Ordino-Arcalís are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.6

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Ordino-Arcalís is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.6

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Ordino-Arcalís, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.5

(1) Ordino-Arcalís usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.4

(1) The staff at Ordino-Arcalís are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Ordino-Arcalís are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 3.9

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.2

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 3.8

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 3.1

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 3.7

(1) No intermediate terrain at Ordino-Arcalís, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.4

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 3.4

(1) Not even a kicker at Ordino-Arcalís, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 2.8

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Ordino-Arcalís, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 1.9

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Ordino-Arcalís has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 3.9

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 3.9

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 2.7

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 3.1

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.0

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 3.7

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 4.3

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.5

(1) Overall, Ordino-Arcalís is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 4.2

(1) Overall, Ordino-Arcalís is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

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February 17, 2018
R de rumba from Ski Spain Spain
Espectacular el mes de febrero en arcalaska, como antaño. Un placer poder disfrutar de las instalaciones y de la increible nieve caída. También quería agradecer a la estación el nuevo servicio de subida desde el túnel hasta la zona de taquillas y dar las gracias al personal de la furgoneta,luis alberto el cubano, y el chico que estaba en el remonte del 1, por la fluida comunicación entre ambos para que no sucediera lo mismo que el año pasado que te decían que te iban a recoger y por alli no aparecía nadie. Este año puedo dar fe que el servicio funciona con regularidad. Con la misma felicitar a todos los currantes de la estación que hacen posible que podamos disfrutar de épicos días. Read More
April 10, 2011
Mark Crichton from Ski Andorra Andorra
Just wanted to say that if you want to do heli-skiing in Andorra Arcalis is the place to go. You have different programs from 2 runs to as many as you like. Skiing can be incredible with outstanding conditions and long runs in different parts of Andorra.
January 05, 2010
Sérgio Domingues from Ski Portugal Portugal
Went to Arcalis last year for a weekend, and it was absolutely great! Uncrowded slopes thus no waiting lines, great view, beautiful and warm people! Normally you don't tell about Arcalis, you keep it for yourself! :) Going back again this week, this time, to snowboard the entire Vallnord resort! Already sure of a great time in Andorra! Nice snow for you all,,, Sérgio Read More
February 24, 2009
Wayne from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Just got back from Arcalis. Without doubt the best resort in the Vallnord region. Uncrowded and great for all level of skier/snowboarders. Will definitely be going back soon. Be aware that the bottom lifts get very busy around 10 am as the ski schools are all arriving. Avoid this time at Arcalis and you will be fine. Read More
November 02, 2006
Ben Myatt from Ski Andorra Andorra
Ordino-Arcalis is without a doubt the very best Andorra has to offer in terms of skiing, it is not a beginners resort but an intermediate and expert's dream. Excellent snow conditions abound all season on the highest and coldest North-facing slopes Andorra has to offer and with no slopeside accommodation Mon to Fri you will have the place to yourself. Weekends are busier but there is plenty to keep any skier or snowboarder amused. And yes we do speak English here! Read More
March 19, 2006
Miguel Fraguas Poole from Ski Andorra Andorra
About all what has been said is right: best snow in Andorra, good freeride, out of the crowds, good terrain for every level, no slope side acommodation -yes, nice villages with small or big hotels on the way up. One correction: we do speak English at the ski School! Good ride!
January 26, 2006
Kathie Phelps from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
By the way, that webcam is not Arcalis - it's the baby-green at Pal. There is a new web-cam available at Andorramania.com. On Andorra tv in the mornings. 8-10 they review the slopes. So if it's clouded in or heavy snow on the hairpin bends overnight at Arcalis, go elsewhere to save you a disappointing bus ride up there. Read More
January 26, 2006
Kathie Phelps from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We don't usually tell people about Arcalis, we keep it for ourselves. When you 'own the mountain' at 10.00am on a Monday, ski free with no troublesome out-of-control weekenders and there's magnificent surroundings. The mountain enfolds you and makes you feel safe yet dares you to try those little chutes and the powder you spot from the chairlift, just beyond that big rock, skirting the groomed piste. It's like coming home. If you like glitz, glamour, queues, ski theives and poncy outfits - don't go to Arcalis - please! The language is mostly Catalan, an ancient language. Get by in Spanish and French and the good old English substitute - Charades! Seriously, try to learn a few words, they really appreciate it. Read More
November 15, 2005
Patricia Lee-Smith from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I went to this resort on Chirstmas Eve last year. Travel over to the other side of the best skiing, lots of greens, and blues, with a resturant to sun your self in. Had the best day there, very sunny and uncrowded, the only down side is that no one speaks anything but Spanish, which is hard when you only speak English. We are planing to visit again this season at Christmas. Read More
October 25, 2005
Joao Simoes de Almeida from Ski Portugal Portugal
If you want to ride good uncrowded slopes, the best freeride in the Iberian peninsula, and the best snow in andorra go to ordino-arcalis. Small resort but great potencial. The only negative aspect is the acommodation, the nearest place to stay is 14 km distance. If you think there is no good deep freeride in the Peninsula, think again... correction: Arcalis is close to oder ski resorts, pal(14 km), arinsal(16), soldeu(25 km), pas de la casa(34km) Read More

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