Looking for a half-term ski trip? Consider the French Pyrenees
If you’ve got clients still waiting to book a family ski trip during February half-term, you might struggle to find them a holiday in the Alps as most accommodation will be sold out for the most popular week of the season.
However, don’t overlook resorts in the French Pyrenees, which are likely to have more availability during the peak weeks as they are less well-known, at least to the UK market.
The good news is that skiing conditions in the Pyrenees right now are pretty good, at least as good as some Alpine resorts which this season haven’t enjoyed the sort of fantastic snowfalls they’ve become used to over the past five years.
Over 20cms of snow fell in the Hautes-Pyrenees last week, and more is expected. All nine main ski resorts – Grand Tourmalet, Saint Lary-Soulan, Peyragudes, Cauterets, Piau Engaly, Luz Ardiden, Gavarnie, Val Louron and Hautacam – are open.
Prices for the top resorts in the Pyrenees are comparable to staying in some of the smaller resorts in the Alps and much cheaper than the better known resorts, making the region a good option for families and beginners.
Ski Collection says it has good availability for half-term in Cauterets and Saint Lary, with prices starting in the latter starting at £659 based on five sharing a two-bedroom apartment.
La Mongie
French accommodation specialist Pierre et Vacances has a studio apartment in La Mongie, which sits within the largest ski area of the Pyrenees with access to 100kms of skiing, for £708, sleeping four during half-term. In Praz-de-Lys, a resort in the French Alps which offers 60kms of downhill runs, a similar studio apartment would cost £708.
Ryanair has flights to Lourdes, from where there is a shuttle bus to the ski resorts, with tickets costing €15pp one way.
* For families looking to get away before half-term, Esprit has a week in Obergurgl, Austria, from £249pp, including flights and chalet accommodation, departing on February 9. The price includes free childcare worth £514.
* Ski Total has a week in Avoriaz, France, from £599 per person, including flights and chalet accommodation, departing on February 9.
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
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season