Thursday 27 February 2014

Where to go for your French Pyrenees Ski Holiday

The French Pyrenees are often overlooked but really are an excellent option for your ski holiday in France. Generally, people from the UK are far more familiar with skiing in Andorra, just a stone's throw away from the French Pyrenees. In a good season, snow fall in the Pyrénées often outperforms that of the French Alps. The Pyrenees are also famed for their thermal baths and plethora of spas, for those looking for total relaxation off the piste.

The French Pyrenees also offer great value for money. Although the location of Pyrenean resorts is further away in terms of actual distance from Calais, access to the resorts from the airports can be very easy and not very far. You can even get a €15 transfer from Tarbes Lourdes airport to your chosen ski resort. Plus people are often surprised to find out that the drive from Calais to the French Pyrénées is only 10-11 hours.

Read on for more information about resorts and accommodation in the French Pyrenees.


Saint-Lary


Family Skiing in Saint Lary, French Pyrenees
Family Skiing in Saint Lary © David Vilanova

A traditional and large Pyrenean resort, Saint-Lary is located in the Hautes-Pyrenées. One of the major benefits of this resort is that it offers the best of both worlds - an authentic Pyrenean village combined with up-to-date facilities including lifts and snow cannons.

Saint-Lary is a great location for a family ski holiday, holding a 'Famille Plus' award, showing that the resort has facilities and services geared towards families.

Saint-Lary Soulan ski area is suitable to all levels of skier and consists of 100km of slopes. There are 7 green runs, 26 blue, 14 red and 9 black with 270 snow cannons.

Off the slopes, there is plenty of apres-ski choice, with Saint-Lary being the apres-ski capital of the central Pyrenees.

Accommodation in Saint-Lary


L'Ardoisiere


Self catered accommodation, L'Ardoisiere in Saint Lary
L'Ardoisiere Exterior

L'Ardoisiere in Saint-Lary is a 4 star residence constructed in the traditional Pyrenean style and comprises two low-level buildings offering self-catered apartments. The residence offers easy access to the cable car, thermal baths and village centre.














Le Clos Saint-Hilaire


Self catered ski accommodation in Le Clos Saint-Hilaire, Saint Lary
Le Clos Saint-Hilaire Exterior

The 4 star residence of Le Clos Saint-Hilaire in Saint-Lary offers just 31 self-catered ski apartments which are spacious and offer either a balcony or terrace. There is a free shuttle bus to main points of interest which are not far away.















Cami Real


Interior of self-catered ski apartment, Cami Real
Interior of self-catered ski apartment, Cami Real

Ideally located in the centre of the village, Cami Real in Saint-Lary is a high quality residence that offers convenience and charm. Facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool and free WiFi access throughout the residence.













Les Rives de L'Aure


Self catered accommodation in Saint Lary, Les Rives de L'Aure exterior
Les Rives de L'Aure exterior

Not only is Les Rives de L'Aure right in the centre of the resort, it is also next to the river and only 50m from the Thermal Baths. This recently built residence offers apartments with traditional and cosy interiors.














Soleil d'Aure


self catered accommodation in Saint Lary, Soleil d'Aure
Soleil d'Aure exterior

With 66 ski apartments spread over 4 floors, Soleil d'Aure in Saint-Lary is located in the village and only 400m from the ski lifts.

















Cauterets


Family skiing in Cauterets, Cirque du Lys
Hit the Cirque du Lys slopes from Cauterets © OT Cauterets

Cauterets originally found fame for its spas which are renowned for their special healing powers. These days, Cauterets offers the most snow assured skiing in the French Pyrenees.

A member of the Kids Station, Cauterets endeavors to accommodate children as much as possible, making it a great resort for families.

Cauterets incorporates Le Cirque du Lys ski area which is great for beginners and intermediates. Skiing in Cauterets offers 35km of pistes including 5 green runs, 9 blue, 9 red and 2 black. Away from the slopes, there are plenty of other activities including bathing in one of the 9 spas, snowshoeing, ice-skating or you could even try your luck at the casino.

Although Cauterets is a small town, it is a lively one, with lots of good value places to go out.

Accommodation in Cauterets


Balnéo Aladin


Outdoor Heated Swimming Pool at Balneo Aladin, self catered accommodation Cauterets
Outdoor Heated Swimming Pool at Balneo Aladin

Balneo Aladin in Cauterets is a 3 star superior residence, situated in the resort centre and just 100m from the cable car, allowing direct access to the ski area. It is a modern complex comprising 130 self-catering ski apartments. Facilities include free access to the Balnéo centre including heated swimming pools, Jacuzzi and sauna.












Le Domaine des 100 Lacs


Le Domaine des 100 Lacs exterior, self catered accommodation Cauterets
Le Domaine des 100 Lacs exterior

Built with traditional Pyrenean architecture in mind, Le Domaine des 100 Lacs in Cauterets offers bright, traditional and homely self-catered apartments.


















Font Romeu (Pyrénées 2000)


High altitude skiing in Font Romeu © OT Font Romeu

Font Romeu is a high altitude resort, situated at 1800m. It is a small and lively ski resort, just 19km away from Perpignan.

Particularly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers, the local ski area in Font Romeu comprises 52km of slopes and generally offers shorter and easier runs. Pyrenees 2000 has 58km of slopes. The overall ski area, Neiges Catalanes, offers 275km of pistes comprising 44 green runs, 60 blue, 68 red and 31 black, with 500 snow cannons.

With around 22 restaurants and 9 bars in Font Romeu, there is plenty of choice for your apres-ski. Pyrenees 2000 offers even more choice with ample restaurants and bars as well as a cinema, casino and weekly market.


Accommodation in Font Romeu


Le Pic de l'Ours


Modern living in Le Pic de l'Ours, self catered ski accommodationm, Font Romeu
Modern living in Le Pic de l'Ours

A 4 star residence, Le Pic de l'Ours in Font Romeu is just 20m from the nearest gondola for easy access to the ski area. It is also located in the resort centre so close to shops and restaurants. A stylish and sophisticated look has been given to its 107 self-catering apartments.












Le Domaine de Castella


Terrace views from Le Domaine de Castella, ski accommodation Font Romeu
Terrace views from Le Domaine de Castella

Le Domaine de Castella in Font Romeu is close to the lively resort centre. Many of the self-catering apartments offer a terrace with views of the mountains.

















Peyragudes


Ski school in Peyragudes © Maison de Peyragudes


The resort of Peyragudes is situated in the Pyrenees National Park and is not far from the Spanish border. It is a welcoming and lively resort which still manages to retain its traditional charms. Peyragudes is comprised of the two villages of Peyresourde Village and Les Agudes Village plus the hamlet of Balestas.

The Peyragudes ski area offers 60km of pistes comprising 5 green runs, 20 blue, 17 red and 4 black with 230 snow cannons. Snow coverage is very good, with a slope range from 1600m - 2400m and is good for all levels of skiers plus snowboarders.

Peyragudes offers a range of amenities and apres-ski options, at very reasonable prices.



Accommodation in Peyragudes


Le Hameau de Balestas


Large ski accommodation at Le Hameau de Balestas, Peyragudes
Large ski accommodation at Le Hameau de Balestas

The residence of Le Hameau de Balestas in Peyragudes comprises individual  ski chalets and apartments split over several buildings. There is a free shuttle bus service taking guests to the ski lifts which are only 400m away. The spacious accommodation is fitted to a very good standard.














Les Jardins de Balnéa


High standard accommodation at Les Jardins de Balnea, Peyragudes ski accommodation
High standard accommodation at Les Jardins de Balnea

Built in the traditional mountain style of dark wood and light stone, Les Jardins de Balnea in Peyragudes is a 4 star residence just 100m from the slopes and resort centre. All apartments are modern and stylish and feature a balcony or terrace.















La Mongie (Grand Tourmalet)


Explore the pistes of the Domaine du Grand Tourmalet from
La Mongie © OT La Mongie

La Mongie was purposely built on the slopes, offering direct access to the Domaine du Grand Tourmalet ski area which is the largest skiable region in the French Pyrenees. La Mongie is also close to the resort of Barèges and both resorts are easily accessed from each other, offering plenty of amenities and apres-ski options. There are also 5 mountain restaurants in the Domaine du Grand Tourmalet ski area.

With 100km of pistes, 69 ski slopes (the largest number in the French Pyrenees), 2 snow-parks, 39 ski lifts and an altitude up to 2500m, this is the ideal ski resort for all abilities of skier as well as snowboarders.



Accommodation in La Mongie


Tourmalet


South-facing residence Tourmalet in La Mongie, Pyrenees
South-facing Tourmalet

The south-facing residence of Tourmalet in La Mongie also faces the Pic du Midi and the slopes of the Domaine du Tourmalet. It is just 500m from the resort centre which can be accessed by a free shuttle bus. The self catered apartments are simple and cosy and there is free access to the indoor heated swimming pool.
















Les Angles


Plenty of snow in Les Angles © Elisabeth Mars

An attractive resort, Les Angles is popular with French and Spanish skiers.Many of the ski trails offer picturesque views to those lucky enough to ski them.

Great for families, Les Angles is ideal for beginners and intermediates. It has 50km of pistes comprising 15 green runs, 8 blue, 16 red and 2 black.There is also great access to the ski area of Neige Catalanes where there is 275km of pistes to be discovered and explored.

Les Angles is also renowned for its range of activities off the slopes including the warm springs and the famous 'little yellow train'. There are a variety of restaurants and bars, offering lively and diverse apres-ski.



Accommodation in Les Angles


L'Oree des Cimes


L'Oree des Cimes in the centre of Les Angles, self catered accommodation in Les Angles, French Pyrenees
L'Oree des Cimes in the centre of Les Angles

Recently built, L'Oree des Cimes in Les Angles is situated near to the shops and services at the centre of the resort as well as 50m from the ski slopes. The self-catered apartments are fitted and finished to a very good standard.













Prat de Lis


Door-step skiing from Prat de Lis in Les Angles, self catered accommodation French Pyrenees
True door-step skiing from Prat de Lis

Situated at the foot of the ski slopes, Prat de Lis in Les Angles offers door-step skiing and is only 300m from the resort centre. Guests of the 70 modern self-catered apartments benefit from free access to the sauna and Jacuzzi.
















Special Offers

There are some great special offers to be had for ski holidays at resorts in the French Pyrenees including accommodation discounts and lift pass offers. Discounts are available for both peak (including Easter) and off-peak dates.

View here for French Pyrenees ski holiday special offers


Flying to the Pyrenees - French Pyrenees Airports

There are several airports in or close to the French Pyrenees. Here is a list of the airports and the resorts they service:

Tarbes Lourdes Pyrenees airport - Cauterets, La Mongie, Peyragudes, Saint Lary
Pau Pyrénées airport - Cauterets, La Mongie, Peyragudes, Saint Lary
Toulouse airport - Cauterets, Font Romeu, Les Angles, Peyragudes, Saint Lary
Perpignan airport - Font Romeu, Les Angles
Girona airport - Les Angles



Airlines to the French Pyrenees

Tarbes Lourdes Pyrenees airport - Ryanair, Air France, Flybe
Pau Pyrénées airport - Air France
Toulouse airport - British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, KLM, Air France, Flybe
Perpignan airport - Flybe, Air France
Girona airport - Air France, Ryanair

For more information about French Pyrenees ski holiday, contact our specialist reservations team on 0844 576 0176 or email reservations@pyreneescollection.co.uk 

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