The resort of Peyragudes is a lovely ski area in a wonderfully maintained environment that was created by merging Agudes and Peyresourde. Peyragudes is looking forward and investing in the sort of high-tech equipment that is absolutely necessary in the specialist area in which it deals.

Peyragudes sits apart from the rest as it produces vast quantities of artificial snow all through the winter that is controlled by computer so that the correct amount and type of snow goes to the right parts of the slopes. This is an ideal location for all winter sports in an upbeat and innovative setting.

Peyragudes has quality accommodation built in the local architectural style and with superb views over the Louron valley. For the thrill seeker this is the place to come as Peyragudes has all the latest rides:

• The lively (and safe) snowpark has a ski tow, permanent boardercross, table, big air, rails and a freestyle chalet with a panoramic terrace
• Yonner - a luge with shock-absorbers
• Snakeglisse - a luge with caterpillar treads in several places
• Airboard – an inflatable luge
• Speed-riding – a mixture of skiing and paragliding that reaches speeds of 40-80 kilometres per hour. Peyragudes was the first of the Pyrenean resorts to be allowed to practise speed-riding

After a day on the slopes relax at the Balnea wellness centre. Free buses travel here at frequent intervals from the resort to the wellness centre.

Signature slope: the White Valley A well-marked red run of nearly four kilometres starts near a beautiful crest of a mountain that opens onto stunning scenery, ending by a little brook.

Not to be missed: Snowplough excursion When the slopes are closed for the day one may now take an hour’s trip on a snowplough that has been especially converted to comfortably seat passengers. You stop at the summit to take in the views.

What’s new this winter?

Peyragudes has replaced all their safety markers and guide-ropes by the chairlift stations and the safety posts up in the mountains with stone and wood as this is far more aesthetically pleasing.

Facts & Figures

Altitude: 1600-2400metres
Number of ski lifts: 17 (5 chairlifts, 4 high-speed seater lifts, 5 ski tows, 1 cable lift and 2 moving walkways)
Number of slopes: 49 including 5 green, 20 blue, 20 red and 4 black
Total length of the pistes: 60 km – 1500 hectares
Snow cannons: 230 – 60% of the surface is in the catchment zone of artificial snow
Learner slopes: 5 pistes, 1 ski lift, 2 rolling carpets
Nordic Skiing: 15 kilometres of marked routes for snow-shoeing I restaurant on the mountain
Other activities: dog-sledding, speed-riding, airboarding , snake-gliss, yooner, snowplough rides, snow scooters, snowshoeing, paragliding or a night in an igloo.
Access: One hour from Tarbes /Lourdes airport, one hour and 45minutes from Pau airport and Toulouse airport.
Prices: start from 32.5 euros per person for a day’s skiing
Web: www.peyragudes.com

Quote this article on your site