Winter & Ski Home Mountain Luxury Ski & Spa in the French Pyrenees

Long before the French Pyrenees were a ski destination they were welcoming countless visitors, who arrived to enjoy the benefits of mineral rich thermal spas. Responding to the recent growth in leisure tourism many spas are now as much focussed on relaxation and pampering as they are on the traditional curative treatments.

Peyragudes

The on-mountain mood is relaxed, not least as it's hard not to get distracted by all that scenery.

Peyragudes is set high above the Vallée du Louron in the central French Pyrénées. Although a long drive from Channel ports, access is relatively simple from Pau and Toulouse airports (or Tarbes Gare TGV for rail travellers) – and the area is already a popular destination for both French families and Spanish skiers from across the nearby border. Peyragudes was created in 1988 by combining the terrain of two ski villages on opposite sides of one substantial mountain and an administrative frontier – Peyresourde being in the Hautes-Pyrénées, while Les Agudes is in neighbouring Haute-Garonne. For skiers the most obvious advantages include a choice of landscapes to add variety to days on the slopes, plus flexibility to find the best snow conditions in both mornings and afternoons. Ski-school areas are ultra-accessible, and while green-graded terrain looks relatively limited, blues are often exceptionally wide and encouraging. Those confident on reds have some long runs, including (snow-cover permitting) the Vallée Blanche, which makes it possible to ski a combined vertical drop of almost 1000m. Both ski villages are sited at 1600m altitude. Les Agudes was purpose-built during the 1960s, while Peyresourde is much more recent (and still developing). Apartment accommodation on this side is either on or around the front-de-neige, or a little further away at Balestas, which is served by free shuttle-buses. We stayed in the valley at the Residence Lagrange Prestige in Loudenvielle, a short drive from the ski station and just a few steps from the Balnéa spa and wellbeing centre.

• Solid value, to ski and to stay.
• Well-planned village developments.
• Still relatively undiscovered.
• Amazing mountain scenery.
• Friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
• Newly-improved road access.
• High-speed lifts serve main areas.
• Balnéa thermal spa centre.

Balnéa

Balnéa is a welcoming and accessible thermal spa centre. The pools are fed by naturally warm waters which are drawn from their source 5kms away. The main pool (Espace Amerindién) at 33°C is open to families and is a fun environment whose features include bubble beds, jets and showers, and Jacuzzis. The Espace Romain (open to children over 12 yrs) has a quiet lagoon and a series of progressively hotter pools and a cold plunge pool.
For relaxation and massage, the Tibetan area provides a calm escape, with treatments for adults.
New in 2011 is an outdoor Japanese pool with a very zen spirit and magnificent mountain views from the pool.
The on-site restaurant serves healthy dishes using local produce and is situated on the first floor, with valley views. If you buy a one-day ski pass you get 2 hours access to Balnéa with Balnéaltitude, price €44.

Les Jardins de Balnéa
65510 Loudenvielle, Vallée du Louron
Pyrénées
Tel: 0 891 70 19 19 (0.23€ TTC/min)
Visit website
Entry for 2 hrs: Adult €14.50-€17, children €9-€11.50.

For Peyragudes accommodation and packages:
Ski Collection
0844 576 0175 (UK)
or +44 23 9289 0960
reservations@skicollection.co.uk

Saint-Lary Soulan

The scenery brings a startling backdrop to skiing in Saint-Lary, and there are some sheltered wooded runs lower down.

The family ski station of Saint Lary Soulan is situated in the Aure valley of the central French Pyrénées. Although a long drive from the Channel, access is relatively simple from Pau and Toulouse airports (or Tarbes TGV for rail travellers) and the village has long been a popular four-season destination for both French and Spanish visitors. Saint-Lary’s balanced selection of groomed pistes will appeal to a wide variety of skiers, making it a sound choice for mixed-ability groups, as long as no-one is looking for anything too demanding. There’s also a steadily expanding snow-park for snowboarders and freestylers. Most visitors opt to stay in the more traditional setting of the old village, where there is a good choice of hotel and self-catering accommodation.

• Solid value skiing and dining.
• Charming, traditional village.
• Real French ambiance everywhere.
• Thermal spa centre Sensoria.
• Amazing mountain scenery.
• Friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
• Snow can be surprisingly abundant.

Sensoria

The thermal centre is surrounded by pleasant gardens just a few steps from the heart of Saint Lary. The most popular is Sensoria Rio, which offers well being and fun for the whole family and consists of a series of pools with a rocky canyon theme. Children discover the joys of the whirlpools, geysers and waterfalls, while adults can lie back and enjoy the bubble beds, massage jets and Jacuzzi with a panoramic view of the Pyrénées.
Sensoria Fitness is in a much calmer setting where clients undergo balneotherapy treatments, complimented by a body-building room with all the latest equipment, and completed by a relaxation area with sauna, hammam, and Jacuzzi. Many people find Sensoria's cacooning and wellness short breaks are great to de-stress and to top up energy levels. Finally, the Sensoria Beauty section offers skincare treatments for face and body and a massage menu.
The Mercure Sensoria 4* hotel benefits from direct access to Sensoria and is just a short distance from the gondola which will whisk you up to the ski area at Pla d’Adet 1700m.

Les Thermes de Saint-Lary-Soulan
65170 Saint-Lary Tel: +33 (0)5 62 40 71 71
Visit website
Opening times vary
Pass 2 hrs Adult €12-16, children €7-11

For Saint-Lary accommodation and packages:
Ski Collection
0844 576 0175 (UK)
or +44 23 9289 0960
reservations@skicollection.co.uk

Cauterets

The six-seater Crettes chair-lift assures rapid access to the higher terrain.

The family ski station of Cauterets is one of the most popular in the French Pyrénées. Its well-planned selection of groomed pistes is served by an efficient lift system and will appeal to recreational skiers looking for a relaxed, uncomplicated experience. The historic spa town has plenty of shops and cafés plus the welcoming spa and wellbeing facilities at Les Bains du Rocher to relax those aching muscles. Apparently the old spa town has more visitor beds than any other tourist town in France - around 25,000, in fact. So there should be something for everyone, from luxury and traditional family hotels to renovated apartments.

• Good value skiing and dining.
• Interesting, historic town.
• Plenty of French ambiance.
• Amazing mountain scenery.
• Friendly, relaxed vibe.
• Thermal spa centre Les Bains du Rocher.
• Snow often abundant.
• Modern, high-speed gondola lift.

Les Bains du Rocher

Naturally hot spa waters flow through both interior and exterior pools in this recently developed spa and well-being centre in the heart of Cauterets. Inside, a round pool contains a variety of relaxing water treatments with bubble beds, geysers, Jacuzzi and massage jets. Outside, a stainless steel lagoon with relaxation beds, has 2 Jacuzzi, bubble beds, and swim against the current. People can also enjoy a sauna, hammam and very hot bath (38°C). We thought the pools were well-designed and felt very relaxed after taking advantage of all the treatments. We then headed upstairs and enjoyed a wonderful massage in the wellbeing centre (prices from €28 for 30 min). There's a great locker system which uses a wrist band with a unique code, no small change required!

Ave du Docteur Domer
65112 Cauterets, Pyrénées
Tel: +33 (0)5 62 92 51 60
Visit website
Open every day (times vary)
Pass 2 hrs Adult €16, family (2 ad+ 2 ch) €41

For Cauterets accommodation and packages:
Ski Collection
0844 576 0175 (UK)
or +44 23 9289 0960
reservations@skicollection.co.uk

© Julia Moss