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Skiing Pyrenees - Ski Pyrenees

Alpine skiing in Bareges and La Mongie, Pyrenees and Snow forecast

Mountainbug offers Alpine skiing in the impressive Tourmalet (Barèges-La Mongie) ski domain; the largest ski resort in the French Pyrenees. Skiing in the Pyrenees is a secret well-kept by the French – here you can explore kilometres of well-groomed piste set in beautiful unspoiled scenery, for a fraction of what you would pay in the Alps, and without the crowds. We are based in Barèges - a traditional mountain ski village with friendly residents and a lively atmosphere.

TOURMALET RESORT 1250-2500m altitude >100 km of runs 69 pistes 43 ski lifts 6 black runs 21 red runs 19 blue runs 23 green runs

Accommodation is provided at our lovely 3-star ski chalet; in the heart of the village and close to all the local shops, bakery, thermal spa, bars and restaurants. We are one of the very few ski chalets in the Pyrenees and offer a high standard of service - spacious rooms, en-suite bathrooms, delicious food and many facilities.

We are here to advise you on the resort and offer free ski guiding. We can also pre-book ski hire, ski lessons and lift passes for you. See below for details of prices.

Ski chalet Pyrenees - a traditional village house in Bareges	A warm Winter welcome to skiing in the Pyrenees	Pyrenees accommodation - spacious and characterful en-suite bedrooms	Chalet Pyrenees - cosy lounge with well-stocked bar & wood-burning stove
B&B or half board - delicious 3 course evening meals, wine & coffee	Chalet Pyrenees - the front patio buried by a February snow dump	Pyrenees accommodation - lovely en-suite bedrooms with exposed beams	A cosy lounge for apres-ski tea, cakes and relaxation in the Pyrenees

Ski pyrenees - the gentle blue run from Super Bareges to Tournaboup

Pyrenees skiing - quiet pistes in the Laquette ski area

Ski Pyrenees - ideal for groups & families

Skiing Pyrenees - group shot beside the Laquette piste restaurant

Ski Pyrenees - cruising blue run down to La Mongie

Skiing in the Pyrenees

The skiing in the Pyrenees is relatively unknown in the UK, but the Pyrenees are wonderful in the winter – receiving more snow annually than the Alps, due to their maritime position near to the Atlantic coast. The weather conditions are ideal – stable high pressure systems bringing clear blue skies, interspersed with heavy snowstorms to refresh the slopes. As a result, the Tourmalet resort has a long season from the end of November through to the beginning of April. Last year's huge investments in snow-making equipment should guarantee snow throughout. Pyrenees skiing, and the Tourmalet resort in particular, is excellent for beginners and intermediate skiers, with gentle nursery slopes and beautiful, wide runs giving access to every area of the resort. The resort has 23 green and 19 blue pistes, making it possible to visit all of the five interconnected ski areas without straying onto anything too challenging. Not forgetting the advanced skiers though, there are 21 red runs, and 6 blacks, as well as huge off-piste potential. Off piste-skiing and ski touring in the Pyrenees is becoming more well-known, www.pistehors.com, and the local ski instructors are swift to encourage forays away from the pistes. The Pic du Midi lift is now open to groups (with a guide) wishing to attempt the legendary descent from the observatory at 2877m right down into the resort at La Mongie.

For much of the ski season in the Pyrenees, you can ski home to the village (situated at 1250m and served by a lovely blue-run through deciduous woodland or a green run following the burbling Bastan river). The ski resort has free parking both in the village, and just up the road at Tournaboup, where the main lifts depart. From our base in the village, five minutes ride on the free ski bus – stopping regularly just metres from the house – is the easiest way to get to the slopes. If you have your own transport, and one resort is not enough, there are 4 more ski resorts within 45 minutes drive of Barèges! Booking and pricing area.

Pyrenees ski pass prices 2006/2007

A good range of ski, snowboard and boot hire is available in the village, and typically costs 11 to 21 euros a day per person depending on your level.

Pyrenees ski equipment hire prices 2006/2007

Skis can be hired without boots, and for different numbers of days. Mountainbug clients benefit from an additional 10% discount for 6 days of ski hire, and a 7th day of hire is offered free of charge. Helmets, snow shoes and sledges can also be hired in the village.

Pyrenees Ski lessons

We recommend the Independent ski school "Ecoloski". The ski school is particularly good with children and the instructors speak good English. There is a ski creche for over fours. Mountain Guides are also available through the ski school for off-piste skiing, telemark skiing, ski touring, snow-park tuition and ice-climbing. 2005/2006 lesson prices were as follows:

Please get in touch if you require advance bookings for ski equipment or skiing lessons. Booking and pricing area

Ski Pyrenees - relaxing and enjoying the views from Laquette	Apres-ski Bareges - a "giraffe" at the local bar "Le Richelieu"	Skiing Pyrenees - deserted pistes in late February	Pyrenees ski holidays - fun and games at the chalet

Snowboarding in the Pyrenees

The Tourmalet ski area is ideal for snowboarders because almost all of the resort is accessible by chairlift. Intermediate and advanced boarders in particular will love the snow park and huge off-piste potential just next to most of the runs. The resort is home to several important snowboarding/freeride competitions - the Dragon team made good use of our railings last year!

Off-piste skiing in the Pyrenees

Around the Tourmalet ski resort, there are vast areas of undeveloped skiable terrain to be explored. The decision in 2003 to open the Pic de Midi cable car to skiers has created an off-piste skier's dream. It is now possible to descend from 2877m at the summit, right into the valley bottom at La Mongie - a descent of 1000 m. According to Raymond Cuilhé, mountain guide in the Bagneres-du-Bigorre valley, "to find the equivalent in the Alps you would have to go to the Aiguille du Midi at Chamonix or the valleys of the Meije in Isere".

Read more about the Tourmalet ski resort and the move to open up the Pic du Midi to skiers at www.pistehors.com (good off-piste skiing website). Some quotes: "Barèges already offered many and extensive off-piste opportunities but this move has placed it firmly in the big league.".... "It says in the Sunday Times that Barèges is the best kept secret in the France"...."The traditional spa town of Barèges could be a Pyrenean version of Chamonix but the challenging skiing and open access of the Pic is more like la Grave."

Snow Forecast for skiing in the Pyrenees