La Massana ski holidays

There are around 30 restaurants in La Massana, mostly serving local dishes. There's also some great pizzerias and a few gourmet places for a special meal, as well as a crêperie, Irish pub and kebab shop. Make sure you sample the Catalan specialities, like coca (flat cakes with sweet or savoury toppings) and escudella i carn d'olla (hearty stew with meatballs, pasta and vegetables).

• Borda Raubert – Traditional wood and stone decor is combined with authentic Andorran cuisine made with fresh local ingredients, like trout. The desserts are delicious too.

• Pizzeria Angelo – This popular restaurant has excellents service and offers the best pizzas in town, including unusual combos like salmon, courgette and spinach.

• El Raco dels Amics – You're sure to find something you like on this varied menu, from burgers and kebabs to set menus - plus the prices are cheap and the portions are enormous.

• Igloo (next to snow park) – Watch the pros show off their tricks and warm up with hot food and drinks at Arinsal’s highest bar, up at 2,400m.

• Bella Italia (La Serra piste) – A bright and busy chalet with panoramic views from the terrace and a classic snack menu with an Italian twist.

Santa Llúcia Christmas Market
In early December, the Plaça de les Fontetes plays host to an array of festive stalls selling a range of craft products and foods. There's also an ice rink for the kiddies, and various different workshops and entertainment for all ages.

Christmas Eve
The night before Christmas holds a lot of religious significance in La Massana. Head to the Catholic Church in the early evening for some English carol singing - the children are given a Christingle to hold onto - and enjoy some hot wine and mince pies. It's the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. If you can stay awake until midnight, the Church of Sant Iscle i Santa Victòria also holds a traditional midnight mass from 11pm.

Dia de los Reis (King's Day)
This traditional holiday usually takes place in early January and is celebrated in La Massana with a Three Kings Parade, starting from the Prat Gran del Colat. What's even better is that the Three Kings hand around presents to everyone, despite being almost two weeks after Christmas - though, who's complaining?

• Catch the free bus to Arcalis - it's covered on the Vallnord lift pass and is the best area in the country. • Nearby Pal is full of tree-lined runs. More experienced skiers should head towards Coll de la Botella.

All our holidays include shared transfers to and from your accommodation. However, if you would prefer a private transfer, this can be added when booking. These are taken by car, 6-seater or minibus, depending on the number of people in your booking.

La Massana is connected to the Vallnord ski area via the main resort gondola, taking 10 minutes to get into the Pal ski area . If you head over to the Arinsal base of the mountain you'll find gentle nursery slopes, set high enough up the mountain to enjoy excellent snow conditions throughout the season.

The Vallnord ski area has quality intermediate terrain on offer. The La Massana gondola takes you directly to the Pal ski area where you'll find a selection of long, wide reds for perfecting those carving turns. Take advantage of the many tree-lined runs - often with amazing snow conditions - to add a little more difficulty. Intermediate and advanced skiers can also take advantage of Arcalis resort, a 40-minute free shuttle bus away. (The bus operates twice a day.) This ski area is free on the Vallnord lift pass and offers some great intermediate piste and off piste for a ski away-day.

La Massana doesn't have too much to offer to experts - there are only 5 diifficult runs in resort. However, you can head over to Arinsal for lots more advanced slopes. The Pic Negre and Pic al de la Capa have some interesting and exciting steep runs, some with mogul fields. If you conquer all of these, the Arcalis resort, a 40-minute free shuttle bus ride away, is great for off-piste.

If you want to explore the snow outside the marked piste, then the Arcalis sector is your best bet - but just so you know, it's only accessible via shuttle bus. Once here, you can ski through the trees and down the side of the mountain in Arcalis Ordino. For intermediate off-pisters, Abarsetar Coma and Abarsetar d'Acalis have gentle, powdery off-piste with tree-lined skiing, while areas like Serra Balma offer adrenaline junkies cliff-jumping opportunies and steeper routes.

Prices given below for lift passes, equipment hire, ski school and packages are for information purposes only and may fluctuate during the season. Current prices can be found by proceeding with your booking.

6 Days	Adult	Child (6-15)	Mini (2-5)
Area lift pass	£209	Free*	Free*
Local lift pass & lunch vouchers	£268	£63	-

* 1 free mini or child lift pass per pre-booked adult lift pass. Free children's lift passes must be pre-booked.

Area lift pass & lunch includes a voucher that can be used in mountain restaurants (includes a selection of sandwiches or burgers, fries and a soft drink). This can only be booked in advance, not in resort.

Reduced rate for seniors aged 65+ (lift passes are free of charge for 70+).
Lift pass coverage: Pal-Arinsal and Arcalis ski area.
Deposit required for lift pass: No
Photo required for lift pass: No

	Days	Adult	Child (5-15*)
Ski tuition (5 x 3 hours)	5	£150	£136
Board tuition (5 x 3 hours)	5	£150	£136

*Children must be 10-15 years for board tuition

Usual hours of instruction
Mon: 10am-12noon and 3-4pm
Tue-Fri: 9am-12noon and 3-4pm

	Adult	Child (6-15)*
First time ski	£353	£183
First time board	£368	£200

*Snowboard tuition is available for children ages 10 years and above.

For complete beginners only and includes 6 day lift pass, 6 days equipment hire, 5 days tuition (4 hours per day) and child helmet.

	Adult	Child (6-15)*
Improver ski	£374	£187
Improver board	£403	£205

*Children must be 10-15 years for board tuition

Includes a 6-day lift pass, 6 days' equipment hire, 5 days' tuition (3 hours per day) and child helmet.

Ski helmets are compulsory for children under 12 years.