-- Worldwide Ski Resorts - France - Cauterets --

The town stands at 1750 m and provides direct access to its slopes know as Le Cirque du Lys. It contains a total of 36 km of pistes served by a system of 21 lifts. It enjoys a good reputation for snow, boasting the fact that it is the most snow sure resort in the Pyrenees. Because it is so small, it cannot be said that there is going to be enough action to fill a week except maybe for the most timid intermediate or beginner. It does have a couple of black runs and some reds so the expert is unlikely to spend much time on the piste, because there is some very nice off piste country to be found with a local guide. Intermediates have a bit more variety with some very nice cruising runs through lovely scenery.

Snowboarders are very welcome here on all the pistes and also have a well equipped terrain park. Novices will enjoy the sunny nursery slopes and the choice of gentle green progression runs. Cauterets is however the place for cross country skiers. There are 36 km of trails running around the mountain that provide simply excellent sport through some of the most amazingly pretty countryside. Ski schools and child facilities are reportedly of a good average.

The resort of Cauteret is actually an historic Pyrenean spa town with a relatively new ski area located in a sunny bowl in the Cirque du Lys. Bareges and neighbouring La Mongie are part of the largest ski area in the Pyrenees and is also the second oldest ski area in France. Bareges is a slightly grey and innocuous spa village which retains a certain rustic charm. Prices, for France, remain very competitive and despite being a relatively small resort the skiing is good. With only 3 black runs though, it's going to be preferred by intermediate and the less adventurous skiers seeking picturesque woodland skiing. By contrast La Mongie, which is linked to Bareges by the lift system, is a purpose built modern resort set around two centres which are linked by common nursery slopes.

The slopes of Le Cirque du Lys are reached directly from the town by a fast gondola. It is not possible to ski back, so the return trip is by the same method. The slopes are high and can be fairly windy. The two black runs known as Orchis and Combe du Barbat are worth skiing but will not test any decent skier. There are seven red runs of varying degrees of steepness and seven easy blues. There are a couple of good mountain restaurants.

There is a surprisingly lively night life to be found in Cauterets. Plenty of bars and a few night clubs put on a good show and entertainment tends be fun rather than riotous. For the non skier or for those looking for a day off, the town contains a small Casino, a swimming pool, a skating rink and of course the famous spa complex. The wonderful pilgrim destination of Lourdes lies only 30 km from the town and excursions are available.