Basic HTML Version
Ax-les-Thermes is the main downhill resort
with a fast gondola giving access to over
75km of pistes from 1,400m to 2,400m.
(
www.ax-ski.com
). This is 25 minutes from
Tarascon-sur-Ariège on the N20. The season
is usually December to March. There’s
something for everyone, from gentle open
slopes to off-piste runs through the trees,
and the extensive network of snow cannon
ensures there’s always plenty of snow on the
main pistes. It’s good value too – currently a
one-day lift pass costs only 32.50€ (winter
2012). Visiting Les Bains du Couloubret
thermal baths in Ax-les-Thermes is well worth
it afterwards to ease those aching muscles.
You can catch the gondola from Ax town
or drive up to Ax-Bonascre, assuming road
conditions are okay. There is a train service
from Toulouse, via Tarascon, to Ax with a
reduced rate ski pass to encourage rail travel.
The Plateau de Beille (
www.beille.fr
) is the
Pyrenees’ premier cross-country ski venue.
At over 1,800m and just 20 minutes drive
from Tarascon-sur-Ariège, there are 70km
of beautifully maintained circuits to delight
and challenge Nordic skiers of all abilities. It
lies above Les Cabannes village which is 8
minutes drive from Tarascon-sur-Ariège. There
is a free shuttle bus from here. You will also
find many marked snowshoe trails. There is
a great panorama from the top of Beille and
you can try dog sledging with some fabulous
huskies and Pyrenean mountain dogs.
Other nearby resorts worth a visit include
Chioula, Les Puymorens, Ascou and Mont
d’Olmes. Andorra is slightly higher and the
closest resort, Pas de la Casa, is just 30
minutes drive from Ax-les-Thermes.
Snowshoeing (Raquette à neige)
Actually an ancient method of travel,
snowshoeing has grown to be a popular form
of recreation with special trails developed
in ski resorts as well as wilder mountain
options. Plateau de Beille and Chioula offer
specially prepared tracks. Snowshoeing is
the perfect way to explore wintery mountains,
moving through silent snow-clad forests and
approaching frozen lakes.
Th e P l a n t a u r e l
Ca l amè s A r e a
N i a u x A r e a
Au z a t A r e a
S i n s a t A r e a
Ax - l e s -Th e rme s A r e a
Moun t a i n
Wa l k s
28
Ruth Jenkins snow-shoeing, Ax-les-
Thermes. Photo: Anne Arran
Superb winter conditions at Bonascre,
Ax-les-Thermes. Photo: Anne Arran
Ariège Other Activities
Winter Sports