©Antoine Garcia

Winter on the edge of the Pyrenees

Discovery and heritage
Winter
Sport and feeling

Nothing equals the excitement of watching the snowflakes gently land on the mountains and knowing that they are turning into a vast playground. Once covered in their immaculate finery, the Gavarnie Valleys are the starting point for many adventures. Hiking, alpine and Nordic skiing or unusual activities: in winter too the mountains are full of resources.

winter sun

Wrapped up in your down jacket and the hat screwed on your head, in winter too you let yourself go along the trails. Whether you prefer hiking, snowshoeing or skiing, the valleys are discovered step by step.

©Tristan Buchot

Winter hikes

Low but comforting sunshine, snow-laden peaks contrasting with a dazzlingly clear sky and glistening trails... Nothing beats the feeling of fullness you get while hiking in the face of such grandeur. To enhance the experience, the guides and guides offer unusual or themed outings, to go ever further in immersion: snowshoeing-raclette, hiking at dusk or meeting the animals of the valleys...

Make your mark on ski touring

Ski touring makes it possible to apprehend the mountain differently and to go further in its discovery. With each outing we reach places off the beaten track, far from the crowds. What a pleasure to make your own mark through expanses of snow. In the middle of the mountains, we taste freedom, while taking the time to better understand the massif. And to have all the cards in hand to try out ski touring in the Pyrenees, nothing better than getting closer to the guides for even more rewarding outings!

Find a guide or guide

Anthony Garcia

Ski touring route in Gavarnie with a view of the Brèche de Roland

At the heart of the Pyrenean ski resorts

Whether you are looking for a ski resort for winter holidays with family, friends, duo or solo, in the Gavarnie Valleys, you are bound to find what you are looking for. In these wild Pyrenean mountains, the resorts of Grand Tourmalet – Pic du Midi, Cauterets, Luz Ardiden, Gavarnie-Gèdre, Hautacam, Val d'Azun or Pont d'Espagne offer endless possibilities.

5 ski areas

A few kilometers from each other, five alpine ski resorts offer unique skiing experiences. You can just as easily trace curves on vast tracks with panoramic views of the Pyrenees as slalom through confidential forests. Beginners will be able to experience the joys of winter sports in unique settings and family resorts. While insiders will challenge themselves to hurtle down hundreds of kilometers of slopes or even to descend from the mythical Pic du Midi.

Anthony Garcia

Slopes of the ski resort of Luz Ardiden in the Gavarnie Valleys

Skier observing the snowy panorama from the ridges of the Hautacam ski resort

Cross-country ski trail in the forest of the Espace Nordique du Val d'Azun

Nordic spaces

The Pyrenees keep many secrets... Here, Nordic ski enthusiasts evolve in intimate spaces. Whether along the ridges with the Pyrenean massif in the background or in snowy forests where tranquility reigns, we choose the spot that suits us best. True havens of peace, Nordic ski areas are the perfect way to discover these enchanted little corners at your own pace.

All the resorts of the Gavarnie Valleys

The best recipe for a raclette?

Shopping for a raclette

Step 1: Start by gathering around a nice table and plugging in the device so that it warms up gently.
Step 2: Then let each participant prepare their plate. A bit like a sacred ritual, here everyone has their own technique. From the one who carefully cuts each ingredient to the one who builds a mountain in the center of the plate; the best way to prepare raclette is definitely your own.
Step 3: Once the ideal temperature is reached, let's go. You place the cheese at the bottom of your pan and watch it melt little by little. The soft crackling then marks the next stage.

Step 4: It's time to pour the simmering cheese onto your plate, a delight! Don't forget to also watch the cooking of the charcuterie. On the grill, belly, country ham or even a few vegetables smoke quietly and complete the atmosphere of the room.
Step 5: Finally, there really is no perfect recipe. It is above all a moment of conviviality and sharing, based on simple products, to be personalized to infinity. And in the Gavarnie Valleys, raclette is prepared with the best of products. From good Pyrenean cheese to local charcuterie, all the ingredients are there to enjoy this typical mountain dish.

Where to eat a raclette

Pyrenean raclette cheese flowing over a potato