Ski Resort Guide
Cauterets
Cauterets Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
Cauterets ski resort offers a fantastic combination of historic Pyrenéan spa resort with a relatively modern ski area and has a reputation for huge snowfalls.
Because of its long history as a predominantly summer destination, thanks to its renowned healing waters of Lourdes, Cauterets has a healthy year-round operation that is not reliant on the ski business, meaning the resort has more character and a better selection of shops and restaurants than many well known purpose-built French ‘ski stations' which exist only for the winter market.
Because of its long history as a predominantly summer destination, thanks to its renowned healing waters of Lourdes, Cauterets has a healthy year-round operation that is not reliant on the ski business, meaning the resort has more character and a better selection of shops and restaurants than many well known purpose-built French ‘ski stations' which exist only for the winter market.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 900m (2,953ft).
Top elevation: 2,450m (8,038ft).
Base elevation: 1,697m (4,593ft).
Number of lifts: 16.
Number of runs: 25.
Where in the world?
Cauterets ski resort is located in the Cauterets Valley in the heart of the French Haut Pyrenees, close to the Spanish border and 7km (4.5 miles) from the Pyrenees National Park.
Hit the slopes
Because of its great snow record the season lasts from early December to the end of April and there can be ‘winter in the mountains and summer in the valley' at the ends of the season when it's hard to believe the ski season is in full swing up above whilst you're sun bathing in Cauterets.
The Cirque du Lys ski area is of a moderate size and will keep most recreational level skiers happy for at least a week. Reached by a fast, modern gondola lift from Cauterets itself, the ski runs extend over 36km (23 miles).
The majority of the terrain is made up of long blue and red (easy to intermediate) level cruisers up to 6km (4 miles) long but there are a couple of steeper blacks - Orchis and Combe du Barbat - to challenge more experienced skiers. The French Ski School (ESF) offers off-piste and ski touring courses too.
Freestyle skiers and boarders will enjoy the resort's terrain park which incorporates 10 table tops, a hip, five rails, a beginner's line and a kilometre long boardercross course.
The Cirque du Lys ski area is of a moderate size and will keep most recreational level skiers happy for at least a week. Reached by a fast, modern gondola lift from Cauterets itself, the ski runs extend over 36km (23 miles).
The majority of the terrain is made up of long blue and red (easy to intermediate) level cruisers up to 6km (4 miles) long but there are a couple of steeper blacks - Orchis and Combe du Barbat - to challenge more experienced skiers. The French Ski School (ESF) offers off-piste and ski touring courses too.
Freestyle skiers and boarders will enjoy the resort's terrain park which incorporates 10 table tops, a hip, five rails, a beginner's line and a kilometre long boardercross course.
Beyond the slopes
The old spa town has great facilities including extensive shopping, a cinema, nine spa baths and a casino. There are also indoor tennis facilities and an indoor ice rink. Practical facilities include a doctor's surgery, dentist, post office, five banks, a photographers and a hairdressers.
Excursions are organised to Lourdes and to the Pyrenees National Park and there are cleared winter hiking routes, as well as snow shoeing excursions organised by the French ski school in the Pont d'Espagne sector.
Excursions are organised to Lourdes and to the Pyrenees National Park and there are cleared winter hiking routes, as well as snow shoeing excursions organised by the French ski school in the Pont d'Espagne sector.
Family fun
Cauterets has a lot to offer families and the resort has been awarded the French government's ‘Kids Station' award, in recognition of its efforts to provide the best holidays for families. On the mountain the ski area is compact, and unintimidating with large, efficient and easy to use lifts, making it a pleasure to ski together. Families of four or more can get discounted lift tickets if bought at the same time for the same duration - make sure you ask if this applies to you.
Baby facilities such as changing mats and microwaves are available to hire from the Tourist Information Office. Children from three months to three years can join Les Marmottes day nursery, Place Bordenave, whilst older children aged up to 7 can join the Cirque de Kys which offers fun learning and activities on the slopes.
La Verrière Enchantée, Balnéo Aladin, is an indoor activity centre for 3 to 13 year olds on three floors, with game machines, a mini-cinema and relaxation area for parents.
Also in resort the cinema, ice rink and numerous thermal pools are a draw for families, there's even a 1950s style merry-go-round to enjoy on the Esplanade des O'Eufs and four ‘sweet factories' (shops offering demonstrations and tastings) manufacturing traditional boiled sweets for which the area is famous.
Baby facilities such as changing mats and microwaves are available to hire from the Tourist Information Office. Children from three months to three years can join Les Marmottes day nursery, Place Bordenave, whilst older children aged up to 7 can join the Cirque de Kys which offers fun learning and activities on the slopes.
La Verrière Enchantée, Balnéo Aladin, is an indoor activity centre for 3 to 13 year olds on three floors, with game machines, a mini-cinema and relaxation area for parents.
Also in resort the cinema, ice rink and numerous thermal pools are a draw for families, there's even a 1950s style merry-go-round to enjoy on the Esplanade des O'Eufs and four ‘sweet factories' (shops offering demonstrations and tastings) manufacturing traditional boiled sweets for which the area is famous.
Retail therapy
With more than 90 shops to choose from, Cauterets is one of the major retail centres of the French Pyrenees, and indeed has many more shops than most ski resorts.
There's a great choice of establishments including many quirky outlets or long established family businesses. L'Harfang des Neiges, 6 rue Richelieu, for example, sells local arts and crafts including paintings, sculptures, wood engravings and has a local speciality: chalet shoes. A popular local propduct is boiled sweets which were first made in the nineteenth century to take away the sulphurous taste of the spa water. Several shops demonstrate production including Confiserie Marinette, 6 avenue du Mamelon Vert.
There's a great choice of establishments including many quirky outlets or long established family businesses. L'Harfang des Neiges, 6 rue Richelieu, for example, sells local arts and crafts including paintings, sculptures, wood engravings and has a local speciality: chalet shoes. A popular local propduct is boiled sweets which were first made in the nineteenth century to take away the sulphurous taste of the spa water. Several shops demonstrate production including Confiserie Marinette, 6 avenue du Mamelon Vert.
Après ski
There's nothing better after a day on the slopes than relaxing in one of the thermal spa baths for which Cauterets is famous. You can even buy a special ‘Aquaschuss' lift ticket which covers ski lift and spa access in one day. The Thermes de César, Avenue du Docteur Domer, is one of the leading complexes.
There's a large choice of bars (most doubling up as restaurants or cafés) with about 40 to choose from including Le St-Trop, 2 rue Richelieu, a pub that does great cocktails. Le Piano Bar, Esplanade des Oeufs, does exactly what it says on the tin.
You can also visit the newly revamped casino, which has 45 slot machines as well as black jack tables and a cinema. Also in the casino the Hold ‘Em café operates as a nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights.
There's a large choice of bars (most doubling up as restaurants or cafés) with about 40 to choose from including Le St-Trop, 2 rue Richelieu, a pub that does great cocktails. Le Piano Bar, Esplanade des Oeufs, does exactly what it says on the tin.
You can also visit the newly revamped casino, which has 45 slot machines as well as black jack tables and a cinema. Also in the casino the Hold ‘Em café operates as a nightclub on Friday and Saturday nights.
Eating out
There are 40 or so restaurants in and around town offering a great range of cuisine. There are several creperies, pizzerias and Alpine specialists serving up fondue and raclette. For tapas and Spanish specialities try Bodega Casa Manolo, 11 rue de la Raillère. La Sierra, 8 rue de Verdun, serves up local soup speciality garbure made with meat and vegetables. La Salle à Manger, 22 rue Richelieu, has some of the most highly regarded cuisine in town with specialities using local meats and coastal fish.
Getting around
Much of Cauterets can be accessed on foot and the ski area is reached by gondola from the edge of town. To reach the Pont d'Espagne and the Pyrenees National Park take one of the regular shuttle buses operated by Bordenave-frères Autocars from the bus station at Place Clemenceau (shuttles operate when there's a minimum of five passengers). Alternatively André Houssat provides a taxi service for 1 - 7 people, also from Place Clemenceau.
Splashing out
Take a mud bath with a difference at Les Thermes Cesar Spa, avenue du Docteur Domer, which offers a mud wrap using specially imported mud from the Dead Sea. The treatment means that your whole body is impregnated with the multiple benefits of Dead Sea Mud, cleaning, refining and purifying the skin and easing nervous or muscular tension.
Accommodation
Luxury
Balneo AladinComfortable modern 3-star hotel in the resort centre. Free access for guests to the balneotherapy centre and its five 5 pools.
11 Avenue Gal Leclerc
Tel: (05) 6292 6000.
Website: www.hotelbalneoaladin.com
Moderate
Hôtel-Résidence Le LysAttractive 2-star renowned for its wellbeing services including Taï Chi Qi Gong, traditional Thai massage and Korean relaxation.
Rue de la Féria et Boulevard Latapie Flurin
Tel: (05) 6292 1111.
Website: www.hotelresidencelelys.com
Budget
Hotel Pas de l'OursFriendly, central 1-star hotel in a renovated, traditional building complete with a small but popular restaurant.
21 rue de la Raillère
Tel: (05) 6292 5807
Website: www.lepasdelours.com
Getting there
Nearest airport: Lourdes (LDE).
Distance to resort: 30km (19 miles).
Driving time: 30 minutes.
Distance to resort: 30km (19 miles).
Driving time: 30 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Intermediates, Après ski, Snow reliability, Non-skiers, Beginners, Snowboarders, Families
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