French ski resorts that won’t break the bank
Clients looking for a quieter, cheaper alternative to skiing in the Alps often head to eastern European destinations, such as Bulgaria, but these winter resorts in the French Pyrenees resorts are worthy of consideration.
Unlike Andorra , the best known ski destination in the Pyrenees, resorts on the French side of the mountain still represent excellent value for money and the slopes are less crowded, even at Christmas and New Year.
Heavy early snowfall means that even though the Pyrenees are considerably lower than the Alps, there is a chance of good coverage in many resorts including Cauterets, Grand Tourmalet, Luz Arididen, Peyragudes and Saint Lary.
This week, Ax Les Thermes has 31 out of 35 lifts open, Font Romeu has 30/45, La Mongie 50/70, Les Angles 40/40 and Saint Lary 14/56.
A week at the three-star superior Le Soleil d’Aure in Saint Lary Village costs from £165pp, departing on December 29, based on four sharing a one-bedroom apartment, booked through Ski Collection. The price includes a Eurotunnel crossing.
For passengers flying to Lourdes, one of the main gateways to the Pyrenees, there is a new shuttle service to resorts in the Haute-Pyrenees, which costs €15 pp. Ryanair has flights from Stansted from Lourdes from £40 return.
The shuttle can be booked at [email protected]
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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