Guides
Bike Pass for bike parks: what it includes and how to choose your days
In short: the Bike Pass, or bike park lift pass, is the ticket that gives you access to the resort's open lifts so you can go up with your bike and ride down the trails as many times as you like for the days you buy. It is personal and non-transferable, it is bought by the day and it does not include insurance: according to Pal Arinsal, no pass includes it, but it can be added when you buy the pass and always before first use. To choose your days, think about your level and your hands and forearms: for a first trip, two or three days are usually enough.
Riders coming from XC or road cycling often ask what exactly you pay for in a bike park. The answer is simple: you do not pay for riding, you pay for going up. This guide explains what the Bike Pass is, what it includes, how it is bought and collected, and how to decide how many days to book. The examples come from Vallnord Pal Arinsal Bike Park and Grandvalira E-Bike Trails, the two Andorran areas offered by BikePark Holidays.
What a Bike Pass or bike park lift pass is
The Bike Pass is the access pass to a bike park's lifts. It works like a ski pass: you validate it at the gondola or chairlift turnstile and go up with your bike. Once at the top, you pick a trail and ride down; at the bottom, you go up again. During the days of your pass there is no limit on uphill rides as long as the lifts are open.
In Spain and Andorra it is called "forfait". Some resorts call it "Bike Pass", which is the name used by Grandvalira. It is the same idea: access to the open lifts to ride down by bike.
What it includes (and what it does not)
According to the resorts' official information:
- Access to the open lifts. The Bike Pass gives access to the Bike Park, but only to the open lifts of the resort's sectors, not to all the lifts of Grandvalira Resorts.
- The trails. At Pal Arinsal, the pass gives access to more than 60 km of trails with more than 1,000 m of vertical drop, for all levels.
- Validity by days. The pass is valid for the days you have booked. Multi-day passes are for consecutive days.
- A rechargeable card. According to the resort, at the end of the season it is worth keeping the pass, because it is rechargeable and can be reused.
What it does not include:
- Insurance. Pal Arinsal states that no pass includes insurance. It can be added when buying online or at the ticket office, always before the first use of the pass: once used, it can no longer be added or cancelled. To know what each insurance covers, read our pillar guide on bike park insurance once it is published and always ask for the conditions in writing.
- Bike rental, lessons and protective gear. These are separate services. Pal Arinsal has no rental shops of its own and recommends external shops.
- Event days. In 2026, during the World Cup, the upper part of the Bike Park trails was closed to the public. Each season publishes its own calendar.
Types of pass: length and age bands
The length is the main thing you choose. In Pal Arinsal's summer 2026 offer there were passes from 1 to 5 days, an afternoon pass (from 14:00 to 18:00) and options with a meal. The official website says they are offered from half a day up to several consecutive days.
Pal Arinsal uses two age bands: adult, from 18 to 64 years old, and a reduced band for children, juniors and seniors, from 6 to 17 and from 65 to 74 years old. There are additional discounts for people who prove a functional disability of 33% or more (20% off the pass) and for holders of the Carnet Joven youth card (10%), by showing proof at the ticket office.
The Grandvalira E-Bike Trails Bike Pass, for its part, is for ages 6 to 74, and it is free for people over 75 and children under 5.
| Question | Pal Arinsal | Grandvalira E-Bike Trails |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Bike Park pass | Bike Pass |
| Type of bike | Downhill, enduro, XC and e-bike | Electric mountain bike only |
| Length (summer 2026) | From 1 to 5 days and an afternoon pass | From 1 to 5 days |
If you want to alternate between the two areas during your trip, see the pages for Vallnord Pal Arinsal and Grandvalira: each one explains its passes.
How to choose your days
There is no magic number, but some criteria work well:
- Your level. If it is your first time, two or three days let you adapt without piling up fatigue. The first day goes on getting to know the bike and the green and blue trails.
- Your fitness. Hands, forearms and shoulders are the first things to suffer. A third or fourth day in a row is more tiring than it seems.
- The weather. The lifts depend on the weather. If your trip is short, one extra day gives you a margin if one is ruined.
- What you want to do. If you want to improve your technique, several days in a row help; if you are going to combine the bike park with other activities, one or two may be enough.
- The kind of trip. For a long weekend, two days is the usual choice.
A practical rule: book one day fewer than you think you can handle. You can always extend; what is hard is making the most of a pass with wrecked hands.
Where to buy it and how to collect it
According to Pal Arinsal, the pass is bought online, at the ticket offices of the La Massana gondola, at the Tourist Office (Fontetes square) and at Pal customer service (El Planell building). There are also vending machines available 24 hours a day. Same-day purchases can be made until 14:30.
If you buy online, the pass is collected at the Pal Arinsal ticket offices. The holder must show the booking reference and a photo ID; if they cannot go, a signed authorisation with a copy of their ID is needed.
The pass is personal and non-transferable. If someone else uses it, it is withdrawn immediately and not refunded. If you lose it or it is stolen, you must tell the resort so it can be blocked and ask for a duplicate at the ticket office, for an administration fee.
Opening times and season
The pass is only valid when the bike park is open. In 2026, Pal Arinsal opened every day from 20 June to 13 September, from 9:30 to 18:00, and at weekends from 19 September to 12 October, from 9:30 to 17:00. Opening depends on weather conditions. The 2027 dates have not been published yet.
If you are planning a trip, see the accommodation offers with Bike Pass or the accommodation and Bike Pass page, and to learn about the e-bike offer in Grandvalira, read the guide to Vallnord and Grandvalira by e-bike.
Frequently asked questions
Does the bike park Bike Pass include insurance?
No. Pal Arinsal states that no pass includes insurance, but it can be added when buying online or at the ticket office, always before first use. Once the pass has been used, insurance can no longer be added or cancelled.
Can I lend my Bike Pass to someone else?
No. The pass is personal and non-transferable. If someone else uses it, it is withdrawn immediately and not refunded.
Do the days of a Bike Pass have to be consecutive?
Multi-day passes are for consecutive days. If you want to ride on separate days, buy a one-day pass each time.
Do I need a Bike Pass if I ride an e-bike?
It depends on the area. At Grandvalira E-Bike Trails a Bike Pass is used for the lifts that give access to the routes. The resort's Bike Pass FAQ says that with an e-bike you do not need a pass unless you want to use the lifts to reach the resort. Always confirm the conditions of the area you are visiting.
Can I buy the Bike Pass on the same day?
Yes. At Pal Arinsal there are ticket offices and 24-hour vending machines, and same-day purchases can be made until 14:30. Buying online before you travel saves you queues.
How many Bike Pass days do I need for my first trip?
For a first trip, two or three days let you adapt without piling up fatigue. If in doubt, start with one day fewer than you think you can handle and extend if you feel good.
