Cauterets Ski Resort France
The Cauterets ski resort in the Cirque du Lys above the spa town of the same name is one of the most snow-sure in the French Pyrenees. Not huge by any stretch of the imagination, its best features are its high elevation ski area perfectly aspected to suck in the snow, a gorgeous & authentic base village and an easy connection between the two by gondola direct from the centre of town. The region has various other points of interest & ski areas that will appeal to any hardened ski traveller looking to explore a region often overlooked by others. Nearby tow ski resorts are worth a visit. The quiet Gavarnie ski resort overlooks the amazing Cirque de Gavarnie. Further along, the extensive Grand Tourmalet ski area accessed from the village of Barèges includes the Pyrenees La Grave equivalent - Pic du Midi. Now that should give powder hounds several reasons to visit!
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
Cauterets skiing & snowboarding terrain in centred on a high alpine, treeless ‘cirque’ valley starting an elevation of 1,730m altitude. The north & east aspect terrain gets ample morning sun and is perfectly positioned for masses of snow accumulation. A total of 685m skiable vertical is possible off the lifts, with the 36km of on-piste trails heavily weighted to beginner and intermediate ability, the longest of which is nearly 4km long. Off-piste options are both within the ski area and beyond it, all the way down to town if conditions are very good.
Access to the ski area is via a gondola from the town below. A novice learn-to-ski area surrounds the gondola top station, served by various surface conveyors and tows. Four chairlifts do all the major uphill lifting for everyone else.
Check out the ski trail map for Cauterets below.
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Snow & Weather
The Pyrenees can be a feast & famine ski region. The feasts come often, with cold dry champagne powder the likes of which would be normally seen in Utah, Japan, or the high Alps. But after the feast, long periods of above freezing temperatures & warm cloudless days can (& do increasingly regularly) occur, impacting snow quality. Snow making technology has offset most of the issues on-piste, but if looking to ski or board the region's amazing off-piste terrain in powder, it is best to leave your travel options to the Pyrenees flexible & go when the combination of snow base & forecast align. Or just do as most ordinary folk do, travel there when you can, make the most of what you have & enjoy sliding on whatever type of snow is available. Remember this when sliding down some sun-softened slush in the Pyrenees, it could be raining like it did in Japan most of January 2020! Even the snowiest places have warming temperatures these days! At Cauterets, be on the lookout for early season dumps before Christmas - can be a magical time to visit.
Where is Cauterets, France?
Cauterets - Cirque du Lys ski resort is located in the Pyrenees of southern France, 30km (35min drive) from the city of Lourdes and 680km south of Paris. The nearest airport is Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées Airport (LDE), only 45km (45min drive) north of Cauterets. The airport serves flights from the UK, Paris & Italy. International visitors are best to go via Paris, preferably Orly (ORY) airport.
Exploring the region is best done by rental car (available at all airports), however there are workable public transport solutions. At least 6 fast trains per day go to Lourdes from Paris- Gare Montparnasse, usually taking around 4¾hr to complete the trip. From near the station in Lourdes, the route 965 bus does regularly make the journey to Cauterets (and usefully, to the other ski resorts in the region as well - Gavarnie, and Barèges for Grand Tourmalet/Pic du Midi). We are unsure of the quality of bus services in the region for skiers, so if without a car, we recommend looking at a private transfer to make the journey, particularly if in a group of 3 or more people.
Search & book all airport transfers to Cauterets.
Cauterets Accommodation
The spa town of Cauterets nestles snugly in the narrow valley surrounded by forested slopes at an elevation of 930m. It is replete with 19th century buildings, adding to its charm. Access to the ski area is via a centrally located gondola, convenient to every major lodging option. The town is home to half a dozen highly rated hotels (some in said 19th century buildings) and a plethora of apartment rentals.
Search & book all Cauterets ski accommodation.
Ski Rentals
Ski rentals are available in the centre of Cauterets village right near the Télécabine du Lys gondola station. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Cauterets Ski & Snowboard Rental page.
Review
The Powderhounds were going to review Cauterets during winter 2019/20, but a topsy-turvy season in the Pyrenees & then COVID-19 stymied the visit. We will visit the region in the near future & will add information, photos & insights once we do.
See how the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
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