View of front-de-neige area, with skiers, chairlift and mountain background at Luz Ardiden

Luz Ardiden

Hautes-Pyrénées, France

This much underrated family ski station is close to Cauterets, S of Tarbes & Lourdes.

Access is relatively quick from Pau and Toulouse airports (or Lourdes TGV for rail travellers) and the main village of Luz Saint-Sauveur is also a popular summer destination.

There’s no on-mountain accommodation but plenty down in Luz Saint-Sauveur, which provides shuttle buses - a small price to pay for great skiing.

Two skiers on high altitude piste with big mountain views

The Ski Area

In addition to its relaxed, friendly environment and safe areas for beginners and children, Luz also offers enjoyable blue- and red-graded scenic cruising with a few steeper blacks and some off-piste possibilities. The snow record here is also reassuring, thanks to reasonable altitude. The well-groomed pistes are served by a modern, efficient lift system and despite what looks on paper to be a relatively compact size, there’s a real big-mountain feel here and you can often find odd corners all to yourself. Nearby are Cauterets and Pont d’Espagne, for more downhill and cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, walking, etc.

Resort Information

Altitude : 1680m - 2500m
Luz Ardiden
Pistes Total:
60 km
3 Green
4 Blue
18 Red
3 Black
Ski Resort Lifts : 14
1 Magic Carpets
6 Draglifts
7 Chairlifts

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Overview of village with church and farmhouses

The Ski Village

That’s right – there’s no on-mountain accommodation. Instead you’ll probably be based down in the valley, where Luz Saint-Sauveur offers a friendly, authentic Pyrenean vibe and a selection of shops and services at real-world prices. Not your average ski experience, then, yet far from unsophisticated and if evenings aren’t exactly riotous there's plenty to do in this year-round tourist destination. Shuttle-buses will get you up and down the mountain, or you can self-drive (but keep an eye on the weather conditions, and be sure to carry snow-chains).

Staying There

Value for Money Accommodation Dining Out Nightlife Village Charm

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Skier's-eye view of snow-covered mountainside from from chairlift at Luz Ardiden, French Pyrenees.

Why go skiing in Luz Ardiden ?

Luz has plenty to offer mixed-ability family groups and recreational skiers who appreciate a relaxed experience in pretty sensational, away-from-it-all surroundings. If you don’t expect doorstep skiing you’ll be rewarded with a quality experience in amazing surroundings, and at an attractive price. And if you’re hesitating and likely to be self-driving then the option of adding a couple of days in Cauterets could be the clincher...

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Skiing There

Beginners / Families Intermediates Advanced / Expert Mountain Scenery

Snowboarding

Emphasis on fun and learning.
1 Snowparks
Mini-cross Snowboarder Cross


Handiski...

  • At resort follow direction 'Aulian'- reserved parking at "front de neige". Also, reserved parking behind the day centre for access to ESF, restaurant and toilets (via heated magic-carpet lift).
  • Access to the whole ski area via 2 detachable 6-person chair-lifts.
  • Lift personnel trained and experienced in helping disabled skiers.
  • Ski pass 50% discount for a disabled skier and their companion (conditions apply).
  • Adapted toilets in the day centre café (access by magic-carpet). Adapted toilets on-mountain in the restaurant d'altitude - wheelchair available.
  • Specialist instructors, 3 adult uni-skis, 1 child uni-ski, and a Tandemski (provided by ESF).
  • Equipment available for hire at the 'Boule de Neige' in Luz-St-Sauveur, tel: +33(0)5 92 94 17 78
  • ESF tel: +33(0)5 62 92 86 99 and Ecole Snow Fun, tel: +33(0)6 84 20 07 78 have qualified instructors in a range of disablilities.
  • See Haute Pyrénées website for further details.

icon-smileyYes please...

  • Good value skiing, dining and accommodation.
  • Interesting piste layout.
  • French ambiance of village below.
  • Panoramic mountain scenery.
  • Ample car-parking close to lifts.
  • Friendly, fun vibe.
  • Snow often abundant.
  • Modern, well-planned lifts.

icon-frowneyYes but...

  • No on-mountain accommodation.
  • Access road can be icy.
  • Link to Cauterets, please...

icon-winkingOur Tips

  • There’s more skiing on offer nearby in Cauterets and Pont d’Espagne, so explore it while you’re here.

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Practical Information

Hôtel Montaigu

Esquieze Sere
65100 Luz Saint Sauveur
Tel: +33 (0)5 62 92 81 71

Comfortable modern hotel with mountain views and spacious rooms in a very peaceful part of the village. We took the half-board option and enjoyed both the hotel restaurant and convivial evenings in the bar.


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