Five new ski lifts in the French Pyrenees this ski season

The new "Ressources & Vous" thermal area at Luchon-Superbagnères; the new 4 Termes de Grand-Tourmalet chairlift; the inauguration of the new Cotch and Sarrière lifts and the new Gourette ski lift; and the remodeling of the Airelles Express gondola lift at Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000 are the main novelties of the season in the French Pyrenees this winter. Gourette; and the remodeling of the Airelles Express gondola lift at Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000 are the main novelties of the season in the French Pyrenees this winter.

New chairlift at Grand Tourmalet

Faster, safer and more modern, the new 4 Termes chairlift at Grand Tourmalet. The Hautes-Pyrénées resort has taken advantage of the summer months to replace the two-people 4 Termes chairlift, dating from the 1980s. This is a strategic and emblematic investment of 4.5 million euros, for a slope that is usually in good condition in an area that is highly appreciated by both alpine and cross-country skiers.

Skiing at Grand Tourmalet

The aim of this new chairlift at Grand Tourmaletis to add to the resort's seasonal offer, so that it can be used during the ski season, but also in summer, allowing hikers and families to easily access the Néouvielle Nature Book.

Located in the heart of a magical place in the Barèges ski area, at the edge of the forest and facing the Pic du Midi, at an altitude of 1,700 metres, accessible from the 4-people Tournaboup chairlift (on skis or on foot), the restaurant "La Laquette", in Grand-Tourmalet, has been completely renovated.

The cost of the restoration has reached one million euros. Inside and out, everything has been designed in a 100% mountain style. Kitchens and dining rooms have been completely redesigned to facilitate circulation. At the helm is Bertrand Aragnouet's team, accustomed to the working conditions of high-altitude restaurants. The team wants to enhance the mountain gastronomic heritage through a bistronomic cuisine and products with the HaPy Saveurs label.

Technical data TSF4 Quatre Termes

• Type: Fixed clamp chairlift
• Number of people: 4
• Starting altitude: 2.205 m.
• Arrival altitude: 2.462 m.
• Elevation gain: 258 metres
• Length: 1,100 metres
• Bollards: 14
• Speed: 2.3 m/s
• Transport capacity: 1,950 pers./h

Location on the map of the new chairlift 4 Termes de Grand Tourmalet

Two new ski lifts at Gourette

New gondola lift, repositioned chairlift and new conveyor belt

When skiers and snowboarders arrive in Gourette this winter, they will find that the lifts have been completely renovated.

To begin with, where the Cotch chairlift used to be, there is now a new 10-people gondola lift that will inherit the name of the lift it replaces. At the same time, the dismantled TSD6 has been placed where the Sarrière chairlift used to be, from which it also takes its name.

This rearrangement and change of lifts has a twofold objective. On the one hand, to free up the "iron" area, as there are fewer bollards. This reduces the visual impact on the landscape. And on the other hand, to be able to use the gondola lift in summer for hiking and mountain biking activities .

The new 10-people Cotch gondola lift will start directly on the slopes and will arrive near the Le Snow K'fé high-altitude restaurant at an altitude of 1,600m. The TSD6 Sarrière chairlift will also arrive nearby. In addition, the snow front of Gourette, close to the stores and the village, has a new covered ski run this season.

The reception building has also been redesigned to make the arrival of families with children more comfortable. It offers a comfortable space, with furniture and sanitary facilities adapted to the needs of children.

Skiing in Gourette

Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000

New chairlifts and remodeled areas

To improve accessibility and mobility, and to preserve the environment, the Pyrénées 2000 ski area has replaced the Serrat de l'Ours and Soulane lifts with the Gentianes chairlift. It is a 4-people fixed gripper, which offers a more comfortable and faster ride to the Fun Run area, as well as a halfway access to the Col del Pam, with 5 pistes (black, red and blue).

In addition, the beginners' area at the Airelles Express gondola, which opened last ski season, has been redesigned and restructured , where the Airelles ribbon and chairlift route has been modified to facilitate access. An 80-meter long covered ski run has also been installed to improve comfort for beginner skiers on snowy and windy days, and the slopes have been redesigned to make them a little more slippery.

Get to know Font Romeu

All these measures will help improve the flow of skiers in this ski area and increase the feeling of safety. Also, 300 ski guards have been installed in the arrival building at the Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000 resort. They are freely accessible seven days a week. Each locker has space for 2 to 3 pairs or 4 to 5 pairs of skis/snowboards.

Espace Cambre d'Aze will be launching a new chairlift

The resort of Les Neiges Catalanes closes this season its second phase of renovation started last season, with a new ski lift in the beginners ski area. It will now be easier to move from the Eina ski area to the Saint-Pierre-dels-Forcats ski area of Cambre D'Aze.

Luz Ardiden renews the Turon ribbon

The Luz Ardiden ski resort has changed its new Turon beginners' conveyor belt for a new one, more comfortable and protected from weather changes. Now the users of this small ski lift will be able to enter and exit more comfortably thanks to the fact that it is wider and they will be protected with a hood.

Artouste inaugurates a new playground

This season, the Artouste ski resort is inaugurating a new playground with a toboggan run, slalom and freestyle modules reserved for children in the Sagette ski area. In addition, the Terrasse de Sagette and the Cocon de Sagette will have a sauna and spa.

New services at Espace Somport

Espace Somport continues its project of modernization and diversification of its activities to offer an attractive offer all year round. This season, the resort has a new wellness area equipped with sauna and outdoor jacuzzi, allowing you to relax in front of the mountains.

Also, following a major renovation project, the Espace Somport has a modern building, renovated in wood and stone, more functional and with a natural atmosphere, designed to enhance the environment of the Somport and the Pyrenees National Park. It has a reception area / ticket office, a tourist information point with digital devices and maps. Open access only from Spain.

More services in the village of Saint-Lary

The former cinema-patronium building in Saint-Lary will be converted this season into the Espace Lumières, accessible to people with reduced mobility. In December, it will opentwo cinemas, with 151 and 61 people.

And following the renovation of an old ice rink, it will also have an Event Center, scheduled to open next spring with a capacity of 980 people. It will be equipped with a modular stage, removable bleachers, dressing rooms, video projection system, sound and lighting. It will have a catering service, bar, reception and a terrace separate from the cinema.

For its part, the village of Saint-Lary is restructuring the main street Vincent Mir located between the Tourist Office, the Maison du Patrimoine church and the kindergarten. The former car park lot and schoolyard will become a cool area in the summer, as well as a real meeting place and event venue, thanks to the creation of a permanent stage and a parterre with a capacity of 300 people.

The playground of the nursery school will be restructured and redesigned within the framework of an educational project, taking into account the "Oasis courtyard" criteria that respect the well-being of the children. The Tourist Office and the Maison du Patrimoine will benefit from a bucolic space between the two buildings, to form a single complex dedicated to hospitality. Project completion: during 2025.

See offers in Saint-Lary

New multimedia library in Les Angles

After rehabilitating the old school, Les Angles will have this season the new Media Library that will revitalize and enhance the territory in terms of cultural offerings and public reading.

This new building is a friendly, eco-responsible place, conducive to exchange and social connections, with adapted opening hours, a quality welcome and free services.

The opening of the media library culminates the commitment of the elected officials of the Pyrénées Catalanes intercommunity to culture, education and access to information for the benefit from the population. In addition, in order to contribute to reduce the digital divide, a digital offer is provided in person (computers, tablets, e-readers) and remotely (portal, collections).

Piau-Engaly launches a new concept of residence directly on the slopes

With a capacity of 302 beds in 57 apartments, Le Cristal de Piau Appart Hotel Résidence 4*" opens its doors this winter in the Hautes-Pyrénées resort of Piau-Engaly. It has a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, hammam and private car park.

Built in partnership with Société Publique Locale SPL ARAC Occitanie with an investment of 19 million euros, its location directly on the slopes above the "Jardin des Découvertes" offers privileged access to the ski slopes and hiking trails. The residence follows an innovative concept, with modular apartments and various capacities.

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Luchon-Superbagnères launches the new spa centrece "Ressources & Vous".

The first thermal resort of the Pyrenees, Luchon-Superbagnères, premieres a new thermoludic space this season. It is "Ressources & Vous", the result of the extension project of the Thermes de Luchon.

The new spa centrece in Luchon offers spacious, modern and luminous facilities, with 900 m2 on two levels, plus a third level with an outdoor terrace. On these two levels, the new spa centre comprises: two indoor thermal water pools, sensory showers, a Jacuzzi, three dry heat saunas at 80°C and other cold activities such as the snow sky and the ice wall, as well as a fitness room and a cardio-training room.

On the third level, there is a terrace with an outdoor swimming pool and solarium. The "Ressources & Vous" area is open 7 days a week from 13:00h to 19:00h and offers access to the iconic "Vaporarium".

The "Vaporarium" is the only natural hammam in Europe. It is the same thermal pool accessed by the Romans more than 2000 years ago and runs through galleries that go more than 150 metres into the rock, which provides an authentic natural steam bath. Here, thermal water at 72 °C flows through the mineral walls, whose humidity brings multiple benefits to the body: it relaxes the muscles, helps eliminate toxins, purifies the skin and clears the airways.