THE GUIDE WINTER BREAKS 2019/20


Alpine resorts like La Rosière continue to expand and develop, but there is lots of great skiing to be had in the Pyrénées too


hectares. Its pretty woodland trails feature hundreds of kilometres of varied ski runs to explore – 81 runs in total, of which 13 are black, 30 red, 25 blue and 13 green. www.serre-chevalier.com


Val d’Isère


Sitting near the Italian border, Val d’Isère puts the Espace Killy area on the map. An excellent lift system travels up to a number of dizzying heights, including the Face de Bellevarde, a steep black run with an altitude of 2,827m. This beast is best taken on in the middle of the day, after the ice


154 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Oct/Nov 2019


THE PYRÉNÉES Cauterets


Cauterets is first and foremost a ski resort based in the Hautes- Pyrénées, Occitanie. It’s split into two identities: Cirque du Lys, dedicated to skiing and snowboarding; and Pont d’Espagne, a spot for snowshoeing, sledding and


has melted but before the snow is too churned. Another major draw of Val d’Isère is its famously vibrant social scene, owing to dozens of bars, including the open-air La Folie Douce, found at La Daille gondola’s crest. www.valdisere.com


cross-country skiing in the heart of the Pyrénées National Park. The town is also famous for its spa, which offers rheumatology, respiratory and hydrotherapy treatments. While it may not share the status of Courchevel in the Alps, Cauterets has seen its fair share of high-profile visitors over the years, including such luminaries as Victor Hugo, George Sand, François-René de Chateaubriand and Sarah Bernhardt, to name a few. www.cauterets.com


Grand Tourmalet


The Pyrénées are often eclipsed by their Alpine cousins, but


while they lack the former’s glitz and crowds, there’s solid skiing to be experienced here. The largest and best-known resort is Grand Tourmalet, where 68 slopes stretch for more than 100km and peaks reach a lofty 2,500m. There are two areas to enjoy: the charming, authentic village of Barèges; and the purpose-built La Mongie at the foot of the slopes. Worth visiting especially is the Pic du Midi mountain, famous for its landmark observatory, and whose summit provides truly thrilling descents. www.grand-tourmalet.com FT


IMAGE © JULIEN EUSTACHE


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