Would you like to enjoy the joys of a winter in the mountains with a community that resembles you, while advancing your professional projects?

It is now possible in the Pyrenees thanks to coliving.

Winter is definitely the season when the mountains come into their own! The days are short, but then...really short! And it will be difficult for you to decide between work and the pleasure of snow. Between work and after-skiing by the fire in front of a good raclette. At Pyren'Escape, we know that you will want to enjoy the pleasures of snow in all its forms, and we will do everything to make your task easier.

The environment

We are at an altitude of 900 meters, surrounded by peaks that peak at 3000, and surrounded by 4 ski resorts. Our region, the Aure Valley, owes its tourist boom to the winter season, and the activities around snow are very diverse.

Possible activities in winter

Downhill skiing:

With 4 stations, there is something for all tastes, all levels and all budgets. Each of these stations is accessible in 20 to 40 minutes from our coliving. You therefore have access to more than 300 km of marked and secure trails. The lifts are modern and fast and each station has its own identity and specificities. All have adapted to different styles of skiing, offering well-equipped beginner areas, snowparks and freestyle courses, freeride areas and well-prepared slopes. We will be able to guide you according to your wishes and help you prepare for your stay. Sometimes, perhaps, we will accompany you to show you around a particular area. We have negotiated for you the best prices for equipment, and instructors who speak English or Spanish, if you wish.

Ski touring:

It’s a flagship activity in the surrounding area, the one we favor.

However, it requires essential learning, with a minimum prerequisite which requires comfort on the red slope, and specific equipment that can be rented. If you are already a ski touring skier, we can show you routes or offer to come with us on our outings.

Attention! These are outings with friends and we are not authorized to teach you ski touring.

On the other hand, there is one of the most dynamic ski touring clubs in France which offers initiations and supervised outings. To do this, you need to take out a year-round membership and this requires you to stay on site for some time (2 to 3 months) to be able to benefit from it.

A winter season at Pyren'Escape could make you an independent ski touring skier if that is your objective, you have the required initial level and you devote the necessary time to it (in the mountains, winter is the weather). who's ordering).

Cross-country skiing:

Let's not kid ourselves, this is not the region's flagship activity: too steep! It is nevertheless possible to indulge occasionally and in a very pleasant way in a cross-country skiing trip thanks to two areas a little further away, Pineta in Spain, and Payolle in France.

Plan for the day, but when the conditions are right, it's a splendid outing in perspective.

Snowshoeing:

For non-skiers, or simply to vary the pleasures, snowshoe outings allow you to access preserved places, while rediscovering your child's soul.

The equipment can be rented very easily for a small fee. The winter mountains being a dangerous environment, it is advisable to find out beforehand or to be accompanied by a guide.

We can organize outings for you with an English or Spanish speaking guide, for a number of people between 6 and 12. We sometimes also offer easy outings with friends.

The sled dog:

After Davy Crocket, dive back into the world of White Fang.

A fun activity with the thrill of adventure, the dog sled outing is however difficult to organize. There are few crews and they are in high demand.

You must therefore book several months in advance but... you don't know if the weather conditions will allow you to go out! (Don't worry, you will be reimbursed if this is impossible).

However, if you stay long enough and choose a date outside of the holidays, it's an accessible, and certainly unforgettable, childhood dream!

Hiking:

Still possible. It's even an opportunity to discover the riches of the Piedmont, with splendid walks between 500 and 1500 meters above sea level, and often neglected cultural visits such as the Esparros chasm, the Mauvezin castle or the Escaladieu abbey.

Mountain biking:

This activity remains possible in winter and the possibilities are inversely proportional to the snow level. The more snow there is, the less playground there is for cycling, and the fewer instructors available (these are often the same as for skiing). But during periods when there is no snow, this additional activity takes on its full meaning. And in any case, with a little drive, one of the largest mountain bike areas in Europe, Zona Zero, in Spain, remains accessible in all seasons. A change of scenery guaranteed, with a possible differential of 25° in the same day!!! (15° is very common)

Paragliding:

In any season, it is possible to try paragliding and we have negotiated the best prices for you. Fly over the two valleys under a clear sun, and it's Icarus' dream that awaits you (but there, it ends well) If you want to do an introductory or advanced course, there has three schools and we will communicate their program to you. These courses last 3 to 5 days.

And apart from that?

Relax of course!

With the thermal baths of Balnéa or Sensoria. 2 hours to immerse yourself in thermal waters, hot, cold, bubbling, outside, inside... We come out feeling washed out. In every sense of the term.

The cinema, at the Arixo or the Lary.

Bars and restaurants, for all tastes and styles. Saint-Lary offers a very varied après-ski nightlife. We will advise you according to your desires, and perhaps sometimes, we will join you.

Without forgetting the local markets of Saint-Lary on Saturdays and Arreau on Thursdays.

And the weekly sketching meetings with Jean-Marie, or a helping hand to Pierrot with his gardens.

However, all these activities require, during the winter, to have a vehicle (except the Pierrot gardens)

And on site?

Tea time by the fire, mulled wine, Raclette party! Fondue night! Get dinner! Game evenings, cinema evenings or organized workshops. When the wind blows or it snows in large flakes, nothing beats the warm comfort of a home with friends. Maybe that's it! the best of winter...

A destination for all levels.

From complete beginners to experienced skiers, from free riders to free stylers and snowboarders, everyone can practice as they wish. We will sometimes accompany intermediate or experienced skiers to show them one or other of the resorts, we will put in place the best possible conditions for beginner skiers (advice on the resort, negotiation of equipment, excellent instructors, and sometimes, we will even come to film you or encourage you) and we can even organize a cross-country skiing or snowshoeing outing if the conditions are suitable (free outing, between responsible and consenting adults) We easily lend the equipment we have available (clothing ski, après-ski, snowshoes, etc.) to save you additional expenses, but we are not a store and our stock is limited. If it suits you and can be useful to you, great!

When to come ski in the Pyrenees?

We do not recommend summer. The first snowfalls generally occur in November, and the resorts open during the month of December (depending on snow conditions) and close at the end of March, but ski touring generally remains possible until mid-May. . These are general benchmarks, but these days…. You are normally guaranteed to be able to ski from the beginning of January to the end of March, December is fluctuating, April and May are possible for ski touring, and sometimes November. Two periods are very busy: the Christmas holidays (15 days until the beginning of January) and the winter holidays (from mid-February to mid-March). During these periods, reservations are recommended for everything (activities, classes, restaurants, baths, etc.). The rest of the time, apart from weekends, it is a native's paradise. And yours! You will experience your best mountain moments.

The spots: 4 complementary ski resorts

Saint-Lary Soulan:

It benefits from all the superlatives. It is the largest, the closest, the most expensive, the most varied and the most popular.

ID card:

Package: expensive

Ski area : 100 km of slopes, 59 slopes, from 1650 to 2450 meters, very extensive area divided into 3 sectors: Pla d'Adet, Soum de Matt and Col du Portet

Orientation: four slopes Diversity of slopes: very varied, from almost flat to very steep, from wide to very tight, from clear with superb views to very wooded with heavy snow Very beautiful snow park

Ski lifts: mostly modern and fast, with some old stuff

Attendance: very busy during the holiday period, with sometimes some bottlenecks

Accessibility: most accessible from the house, only 4 km to reach the village, where teleports take you to the station in 8 minutes, or 20 minutes by car.

Time before sliding (departure from home): 30 minutes

Facilities in the resort: very nice snowpark, beautiful off-piste area, refuge and high-altitude lake, some nice restaurants and high-altitude clubs, several ski schools and the very good snowboard club, nice beginner area but overcrowded, even saturated in high season, small anecdotal cross-country ski circuit, snowmobile

After-ski: all the amenities and services of a charming village (bars, restaurants, cinema, entertainment, shops) and sensoria thermal baths

Our opinion: the price and the attendance are compensated by the beauty and diversity of the landscapes. We sometimes wait a little too long but the station is very extensive. The best après-ski in the village of Saint-Lary

Peyragudes:

It is the second in terms of size and price. It is on two slopes and benefits from very modern infrastructure.

ID card:

Package: expensive

Ski area: 60 km of slopes, 51 slopes, from 1600 to 2400 meters, wide and well prepared slopes, not very steep, without trees. Has the longest track in terms of elevation gain.

Orientation: East/west. (Les Agudes / Peyresourde) Beautiful view from the top.

Diversity of the slopes: the slopes are very well prepared, very wide and encourage speed. But they are not very varied, even if the two sides are different. Beautiful snow park, very beautiful toboggan run, permanent timed slalom 2 beginner areas (one on each slope)

Ski lifts: very modern and fast. we go up quickly and we don't wait long.

Attendance : very busy but the fast and modern lifts limit the wait.

Accessibility: furthest from the house (40 minutes by car or 30 minutes to Loudenvielle, then up via the skyvall)

Time before sliding (departure from home) : 45/50 minutes

Facilities in the resort: beautiful snow park, beautiful toboggan run, a ski school on each slope, timed slalom, beautiful funslope course, some high-altitude restaurants

After-ski: going back down to the village of Loudenvielle, all the services and amenities, restaurants, cinema and the best thermal baths in the area: Balnéa

Our opinion: the price and the attendance are compensated by the modernity of the facilities and the quality of the slopes: you don't wait, you go down and get back up quickly. The plus: N'PY group station associated with Piau-Engaly. Preferential rates for both stations.

Pia-Engaly :

It is the highest and the one which offers the steepest slopes. Its location allows for optimal snow coverage.

ID card

Package: quite expensive

Ski area: 65 km of slopes, 43 slopes, from 1350 to 2600 meters, slogan: “guaranteed snow”

Orientation : cirque to the north (hence the snow cover). Magnificent and wild view.

Diversity of slopes: slope and a magnificent free ride area, interspersed by paths for less experienced skiers and a convincing beginner area. No trees but a superb view! Excellent snow park with air zone, big air bag, jib zone and boardercross. The resort is close to the border and offers a partnership with a very beautiful cross-country ski area: Pineta , just on the other side.

Ski lifts: two large, fast chairlifts cover the entire resort. The legs don't have time to rest.

Attendance: it’s all one, all the other. If there is little snow, all the skiers come to look for it in Piau, if all the resorts are snow-covered, Piau is much less busy because it is less accessible.

Accessibility : 40 minutes of mountain road, equipment often necessary.

Time before sliding (departure from home): 45/50 minutes Facilities in the resort: magnificent free ride area, the most beautiful snowpark in the area, decent beginner area.

Apres-ski: Uh… how to put it… Unless you stay there, nothing can hold you back.

Our opinion : You are almost sure to find snow there and the price is still reasonable. Advanced skiers will appreciate it, beginners will have plenty to do, for intermediate skiers it's a little less varied. The plus: snow, the N'PY partnership and the Pineta partnership

Val Louron

It's the smallest resort in the valley, the lowest, the least expensive, the least well equipped, the least snow-covered, but, as with all little ones, we love it!

ID card

Package: reasonable

Ski area : 19 slopes, 22 kilometers, from 1450 to 2100 meters

Orientation : east, some wooded areas, very beautiful view at the top.

Diversity of trails: few trails, but great diversity. A very nice beginner area, mainly easy slopes but a very nice free ride area accessible when the snow is there. Val Louron has turned its weaknesses into an asset: a magnificent beginner sector which makes it a family resort par excellence, and the most beautiful ski touring club in the entire Pyrenees chain (of course, you have to go looking for snow!) The only resort to offer an introductory ski touring course and dynamic, smiling volunteers.

Ski lifts: you don't have to be in a hurry, you have time to rest on the chairlift.

Attendance: it's cool, family-friendly, people aren't stressed.

Accessibility: double or double. If the road to Col d'Azet is clear, it takes 20 minutes on a magnificent road. If it is not, it takes 40 minutes, going through the other side. But you will be sure to have snow...

Time before sliding (departure from home): 25 minutes… or 45 minutes Equipment in the resort: minimalist with the most efficient snow cannon in Europe, to snow the beginner area in all seasons. For the record, it was he who provided the snow to put on the Champs Elysées, I don't remember when. Very nice beginner area, with cows and bison. And the monitors are super cool.

Apres-ski : lunchtime is chill.

Our opinion: if you need to start skiing or do it quickly, this is the perfect resort when it is snowy. And when it's snowed in, she's just a stone's throw from the house to get some nice little wrinkles before starting work. And to get some fresh air while ski touring, we're like at the market: we always meet someone. We love it!

AND A SMALL BONUS

THE PIC DU MIDI DE BIGORRE

An unforgettable descent from one of the most famous sites in the Pyrenees. Be careful, this is an expensive activity and is only aimed at free ride skiers.

An hour from the house, take the Pic de Midi de Bigorre cable car and enjoy the incredible view offered by this observatory. You then have to go back down to La Mongie via an absolutely sublime free ride route. A unique experience which, however, requires a minimum of preparation and good conditions. Complex to organize, relatively expensive but totally unforgettable.

General thoughts:

• The driving times indicated are on dry roads, under normal traffic conditions. It can quickly increase when there is snow on the road.
• In the mountains, in France, winter car equipment is mandatory. You may be refused access to a station if you do not have them, or even face a fine, or an appointment with the body shop.
• We do not give package prices because they fluctuate. In general, they are always cheaper to buy online, and require, in most stations, a searchable physical medium that must be ordered. It also saves time on site.
• There are season passes which can be interesting if you stay a long time (they are generally paid for after 20 to 25 outings). There are also plans that automatically charge you each time you visit a station. There are so many different formulas, it's best to do your own research.
• Renting equipment is more often more advantageous online too. Depending on the use, we may try to organize a practical and advantageous rental with a rental company.
• If we go skiing with you, it is ALWAYS gracious and friendly. We have no diploma or any skills to claim to supervise you and you acknowledge that you are totally responsible for yourself.
• Ski touring requires equipment and specific learning. A whole season just allows you to start being a little independent and everyone remains responsible for the whole group during outings.
• Some colivers have expressed the desire to come and learn about downhill skiing, we will try to organize sessions to facilitate learning and to laugh together at the chaotic beginnings, or even to reserve an instructor specifically for you. Also, don't hesitate to get in touch quickly so that we can organize all of this.