We had a fun day out in the sun today with temperature into the 20s even at 1900m. The spring flowers such as the Snakeshead Fritillari, Trumpet Gentians and Naked Globe flowers are starting to chase out the early Hepaticas up near 2000m giving a great variation in colours. We also had the chance to admire several big raptors who were cruising up the thermal escalators to the top of the Montagne Fleuri opposite Bareges village. First sighted was a Short Toed eagle and Kestral shortly follwed by a pair of Golden eagles a pair of lammergeier or bearded vultures (3m wingspans!), and finally a squadron of Griffon vultures! Read more »
We woke to clear skies and much more seasonal temperatures today so we took the decision to head up high (2100m), to one of our favourite spots, the Cirque de Troumouse to play in the last of the now fast melting snows. It was a good choice, the Cirque was wearing its best white hat and looking superb! The marmots and isards even came out to play: Read more »
We had a spectacular day up at the Plateau de Saugue today with the Explorer Pyrenees walking holiday. First we waded through the orchids to a crystal clear lake with a perfect reflection of the Cirque de Gavarnie to test our cameras with. We were then rewarded with a rare sight as an incoming weather system threw up some bizzare alto cirrus clouds above the frontier ridge with Spain. Half an hour later we sat down to admire the view and found ourselves trying to work out if we were all having problems with our sunglasses as a large stretch of azure blue sky turned into a rainbow… This was a “circumhorizontal arc”, or Fire Rainbow – a rare optical effect produced by aligned high altitude ice crystals of a similar size causing iridescence.
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A great day out on the first guided Pyrenees walking holiday of the season. An explorer level trip over to the Pont d’Espagne and the Pyrenees National park. Conditions were a little overcast but the rain held off and we were rewarded with sightings of Isards, Marmots and an Alpine Accentor as well as a carpet of Spring Gentians.
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We had a great day ski touring today up on the Plateau de Saugue. Blue skies and far reaching views resulted in some fabulous views from the top.
Snow condtions: Still plenty of snow to be found with average snow depths of 115cm at 1800m and still 3.0m at 2500m! Spring conditions prevail at the moment with the 0 degree Isotherm staying over 3000m, but with the deep pack and new snow turning from sticky to granular there is good skiing on the Northern apsects.
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The slopes are just waiting to open on the 30th November
Rob is off out on his touring skis even sooner… |
Winter has got off to a great start, with over 50cm of snow falling this week in Bareges, 1250m, and even more on the upper slopes. With more snow forecast over the next couple of days, it looks like the resort should be opening as previewed on the 30th November with excellent snow cover.
To make the most of the excellent early-season snow, and quiet pistes before the February holidays get going, we are offering the following special offers at Chalet Les Cailloux:
Christmas week 21-28th December: 10% discount, SAVE 60 € per person. Price now 535 € pp half board based on 2 sharing, 475 € per person for triple room share Read more »
It is all go for the summer season already, our guided program started on the 19th with our expert guide Julian taking the 1st Spanish Pyrenees trip of the season in the province of Aragon. This week we are running our first Taster week from Bareges and the new Cathar country walk is off to good start with spectacular weather over in the Eastern Pyrenees.
Following the incredible amounts of snow this last winter (world number one ski resort for snow depth for several weeks…), spring has been a little slow to come but the results are now amazing and just in time for our lucky Australian/American group with me on the Taster trip.
The ski season is truly under way, with 20cm of fresh powder landing on the resort yesterday.
Our guests have been getting out enjoying the pistes. While all the locals are muttering about how busy it is, those who have worked or skied in other European ski areas are looking in disbelief and saying “Queuing for 10 minutes to get on a lift and ski down a piste with 5 people on it does not mean busy!”. We are spoilt here!
While temperatures have dropped again, after a warm spell, the winter sun is shining providing clear, blue skies to ski under. Our first snow-shoeing holiday of the season starts on Saturday, so we are hoping the weather continues, so that our guests get good views of the mountain scenery.
As is traditional, January is a much quieter month, so if you want to enjoy out of season skiing and snowboarding, do come and join us. Take a look at our Special Offers page to see the discounts we are currently offering.
Finally, happy new year to all of our past, present and future guests. Here’s to 2013 being a good one for all of us.
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| Library photo as we’ve not been able to get out yet! |
The MountainBug team
Come snow-shoeing with us in January for 635€ per person for one week instead of 735€!
This is for our week long snow-showing holiday, arriving on 5 Jan, depart 12 Jan, staying full-board (except on your day off, breakfast only) in the chalet or hotel. Your price includes:
- 5 full days of guided snow-shoeing and tuition
- snow-shoes and poles
- avalanche safety equipment
- transfers to and from the beginning and end of the walks
- 5 packed lunches
- 6 nights full board – including afternoon tea
- 1 day breakfast only
Who’s snow-shoeing for?
Have you ever wanted to see the winter mountains but not strap a pair of skis on? Or do you love skiing but have a partner who’s not so keen? Have you ever tried…snow-shoeing?
Snow-shoeing in an excellent way to get deep in to the winter mountains, far away from the pistes. You wear your hiking boots and strap on to the bottom of them some “snow-shoes”, which, frankly, look like tennis racquets with mini-crampons on them. Grab a couple of poles and start walking. You are now snow-shoeing.
Our week long snow-shoeing holidays are perfect for hikers who don’t want to stop walking because it’s snowy or snow-lovers who want to get away from the pistes and see the mountains in their glorious wintry coat.
As with all our walking holidays, you will be with a qualified, experienced International Mountain Leader, who will not only teach you how to snow-shoe effectively but also point out to you local flora and fauna.
To find out more, contact us, and come on a memorable winter holiday.
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| In the Aygur Clus valley, near Bareges, Feb 2012 |
