The Pyrenees

Alpine Skiing

Alpine skiing disciplines are practiced in the magnificent Cirque du Lys. From the top of the ridges, you can admire the Pyrenees mountain range on a clear day.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoes, invented by the Inuit Native Americans, were originally made of porcupine tendons (now replaced by resins) attached to a wooden sieve. Modern snowshoes are also equipped with metal crampons to ensure a good grip on slopes, as well as a binding system that can adapt to both hiking boots and après-ski boots. Through a program of outings for all levels, you can peacefully discover the magic of the snow-covered Pyrenees in winter.

Ski Touring

Ski touring is a unique skiing practice, very close to nature, completely independent of specific ski resort facilities (without ski lifts and avoiding groomed areas). The slopes are sometimes very steep, and skiers are usually equipped with alpine skis (cross-country skis are rare but possible for ski touring…). The ascent is made possible by special equipment on the ski base: for alpine-type skis, these are anti-slip skins, often called ‘seal skins’ because this fur was used in the past, before the invention of synthetic materials. This ascent can be complemented by sections on foot, with skis in hand or on the shoulder. The descent is made by gliding on the snow, according to the style appropriate to the skis used.

Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is a winter sport from the Nordic skiing family, practiced on snowy and groomed areas (otherwise, it is considered ‘off-track’ Nordic skiing). This sport is practiced on snowy and groomed trails within the Nordic areas of Pont d’Espagne.

International Ski School

The international ski and snowboard school of Cauterets offers alpine skiing, snowboarding, freestyle, telemark, and adaptive skiing lessons for adults and children. Whatever your discipline: alpine skiing or snowboarding, Esprit-Montagne offers private or group lessons. A signatory to a national quality charter, group lessons are limited to 10 people. The youngest will discover skiing through numerous adapted fun games. They will progress in the secure and enclosed snow garden.

Canyoning

A land of water, torrents, rivers, and sunshine, the Pyrenees are an exceptional playground for whitewater sports. You will discover the mountains in their purest state, far from pollution, in the preserved environment of the Pyrenees National Park. Mineral wonders sculpted by torrents, canyons offer an ideal setting for sports enthusiasts who love nature. Canyoning combines whitewater swimming, sliding on natural water slides, waterfall jumping, and rappelling descents. With guaranteed thrills, canyoning is above all an aquatic adventure in breathtaking landscapes.

Rafting

Discover the Gaves valley between Argelès Gazost and Lourdes along the water. Accompanied by river guides (state-certified canoe kayak instructors), your craft will glide on the Gave de Pau, born from the majestic Cirque de Gavarnie, to cross the kayak world cup course in Saint-Pé. Rafting, mini-raft, airboat, hot dog, canoe kayak, hydrospeed… You’ll never stop discovering or rediscovering the joys offered by our waterways.

Climbing

Rock climbing is the art of rising between heaven and earth; the etymology of the word comes from the Italian ‘scalata’, literally meaning ‘assault using ladders’. Today, climbing uses other methods to progress vertically: opposition, grip adherence, dyno, and hooking. In addition to the fluid movements that allow mastery of the rock, it’s important to add technical learning that enables one to evolve safely.

Via Ferrata

Originating in Italy, ‘via ferrata’ (or ‘iron ways’) are adventure routes set up on cliffs using rungs, cables, zip lines, and monkey bridges, allowing novices to navigate along rock faces without climbing experience or particular gymnastic skills. These vertical hikes take place in the magnificent setting of the Gorges du Pont Napoléon or in Gavarnie, with the famous ‘Cirque de Gavarnie’, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as a backdrop. The ‘via ferrata’ offers everyone the opportunity to experience the sensations that mountaineers feel on rock faces, but with all the safety this discipline provides.

Downhill Biking

From the top of the resort (2400m) to the village of Cauterets (900m), more than 1500 meters of elevation await you! Mountain bike enthusiasts and thrill-seekers will be delighted, with specially designed trails featuring modules such as banked turns, step-ups, and road gaps… There’s something for all tastes and skill levels!

3 levels of difficulty are offered:

• Blue trails for beginner/intermediate downhill riders
• Red trails for intermediate/experienced downhill riders
• Black trails for experienced downhill riders

Starting from the Lys cable car and the Barbat chairlift, climb to the top of the Cauterets area, admire the view and enjoy the variety of spots the resort offers: pistes, paths, ridges, woodlands, singletracks, scree slopes…

The Pont d’Espagne and Lake Gaube

The legendary Lake Gaube, which has enchanted thousands of visitors, is accessible in just a few minutes from the Pont d’Espagne via the Gaube chairlift or by the GR10 trail (about 1h15 walk). Overlooked by the Vignemale (3298m), it is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Pyrenees.

The Gaube Valley

With majestic waterways and enchanting mountains, the Gaube Valley will captivate you with the beauty of its landscapes. From the lake to the Oulettes refuge, the view of the Vignemale, the highest peak of the French Pyrenees, is impressive and legendary.

The Marcadau Valley

From the Pont d’Espagne parking lot, taking the direction of the Cayan plateau, it takes about 2h30 to reach the Marcadau refuge. Discover a hike that alternates between forests and streams.

The Lutour Valley

From La Fruitière, you can reach the beautiful Lake Estom in 2 hours. It’s the starting point for many hikes and an exceptional valley with its high mountains, guaranteed to amaze!

The Ilheou Valley

You can access it on foot from Cambasque (1h30 walk) or by chairlift from the Cirque du Lys. Enjoy the refuge’s terrace to admire the lake.

Pic du Cabaliros

The Cabaliros is certainly one of the most beautiful panoramas in the region, a privileged balcony over the Pyrenees mountain range. The route from Cauterets on a comfortable and well-marked trail presents no difficulty in the absence of snow, except for a significant elevation gain (+1300m) and a long 19 km round trip.

Lourdes and Its Sanctuary

Lourdes, both a small mountain town and an immense pilgrimage site, 35 minutes away.

The Pic du Midi

The Pic du Midi, at 2,877 m altitude: astronomical observatory, star museum, panoramic terraces overlooking the entire Pyrenees mountain range, 45 minutes away.

The Cirque de Gavarnie

The Cirque de Gavarnie, the most spectacular glacial cirque in the Pyrenees, 50 minutes away.