Top Pyrenees Ski Resort Destinations in France

The Pyrenees are the perfect place to combine sunshine and affordable skiing!
Located between Spain and France, the high Pyrenees mountains offer excellent snow quality, peaceful slopes, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere typical of southwest France.

Plus, your ski holiday here will cost significantly less than in the Alps.
So, what are the best ski resorts in the Pyrenees? Gourette, Cauterets, Engaly, Ax-les-Thermes, Font-Romeu… there’s something for everyone.

Ax les Thermes

A spa town, summer resort, and winter sports station all in one, Ax-les-Thermes is one of the top ski resorts in the Pyrenees. It offers snow lovers an ideal setting to ski and relax after a great day on the slopes.

Ax-les-Thermes ski area at a glance:

Alpine ski runs: 80 km over 37 pistes, including 10 green, 12 blue, 10 red, and 5 black
Ski lifts: 19
Nordic skiing: 44 km of cross-country trails and 28 km of marked snowshoe routes
Vertical drop: 1,000 metres
Fun zones: Snowpark

Thanks to the thermal waters around the resort, Ax-les-Thermes boasts excellent spa treatments. After your sporting activities, immerse yourself in total relaxation with soothing water therapies and treatments offered at various centres. Alongside this aquatic calm, stunning hikes and snowshoeing adventures throughout the area promise breathtaking views!

Font-Romeu

Perched at over 1700 metres, Font-Romeu is one of the must-visit village resorts in the Pyrenees. Nestled in a comprehensive ski area with soft snow, Font-Romeu combines its prime location with the warm, welcoming spirit typical of the region.

Font-Romeu Ski Area in Numbers:

Alpine ski runs: 111 km over 42 pistes — including 15 green, 10 blue, 8 red, and 9 black runs
Cross-country skiing: 6 green, 9 blue, and 4 red trails
Nordic walking routes: 17 km
Ski lifts: 23
Vertical drop: 850 metres
Fun zones: competition areas, play pistes, snow gardens, and toboggan runs

Beyond the slopes, Font-Romeu offers activities for everyone’s tastes. Whether you seek thrills, relaxation, or nature discovery, boredom is impossible here! Explore the stunning Pyrenees landscapes on snowshoe hikes or exciting dog sled rides — perfect for the whole family.

For a romantic outing, glide hand-in-hand at the ice rink, then warm up and unwind together in the swimming pool.

Thrill-seekers can try paragliding or snowscoot for guaranteed adrenaline!

When the sun goes down, Font-Romeu comes alive with numerous bars and restaurants. You can also enjoy the cinema, casino, bowling alley — or dance the night away at the famous nightclub “Le Papagayo.” Your evenings will be unforgettable!

Station Awards:

Famille Plus (Family Friendly)
Qualité Tourisme (Tourism Quality)

Saint-Lary-Soulan

Nestled between 1,700 and 2,515 meters, Saint Lary Soulan boasts a breathtaking natural setting on the edge of the Pyrenees National Park and the Néouvielle Nature Reserve. Located in the heart of the picturesque Aure Valley along the famous Saint James pilgrimage route, it’s one of the premier ski resorts in the Pyrenees.

Perfect for skiers of all levels, Saint Lary Soulan offers an extensive network of gentle blue runs that let beginners build confidence before exploring the more challenging slopes higher up.

Plus, many ski lifts welcome pedestrians, so you can soak up stunning mountain views and share unforgettable moments with family or friends at the summit — no skis required!

Saint Lary Soulan ski area at a glance:

Alpine ski runs: 100 kilometers across 59 slopes — 7 green, 26 blue, 13 red, and 10 black
Ski lifts: 23
Vertical drop: 1,100 meters
Fun zones: snowpark, De le Rue’s Line, Kidpark, sledding areas

Beyond skiing, Saint Lary offers a wide range of activities to enjoy. Soar with paragliding over the mountains, take care of a team of huskies, explore on foot or snowshoes, try mountain scootering, or get an introduction to biathlon. There’s plenty to do for you and your children!

When it comes to dining and local flavors, the village won’t disappoint. With plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars, you’ll find authentic Pyrenean cuisine and a warm atmosphere.

Saint Lary proudly holds the “Famille Plus” label, highlighting its family-friendly spirit and facilities. Childcare, leisure centers, and babysitting services allow parents to fully enjoy the mountain. For young skiers, the ESF ski schools located at the base of the slopes will help kids master the snow with confidence.

Thanks to the station’s lower altitude, you can also embark on long hikes through forests and rocky landscapes, soaking in the stunning mineral and plant panoramas easily accessible via the many trails around Saint Lary Soulan.

Peyragudes

It’s true what they say—there’s strength in unity! The merger of the Peyresourde and Agudes ski areas created one of the best resorts in the Pyrenees: Peyragudes. Situated at 1,600 meters altitude, the resort offers 51 pistes perfectly exposed to the east and west.

Part of the Nouvelles Pyrénées (NPY) group, Peyragudes boasts some real gems, including two iconic red runs—Vallée Blanche and Val des Lumières—that take you deep into the mountains with breathtaking views, especially over the Louron Valley.

Here’s a fun fact for movie buffs: the opening credits of Tomorrow Never Dies were filmed right here at Peyragudes!

Peyragudes Ski Area in Numbers:

Alpine ski slopes: 100 kilometers spread over 51 pistes — including 6 green, 23 blue, 16 red, and 6 black runs
Vertical drop: 1,200 meters
Fun zones and activities: snowpark, airboard, snakegliss, snowscoot, yooner, fat bike, dog sledding, speed riding, and more!

After a thrilling day on the slopes, treat yourself to some well-deserved relaxation at the resort’s leisure complex, nestled right in the heart of Peyragudes. This 10,000 m² space offers plenty of ways to unwind or soak up the sun with stunning mountain views: cinema, spa, beauty salon, bowling alley, ice rink, swimming pool… Mountain holidays are not just about skiing—they’re the perfect opportunity to relax and recharge!

For a truly restorative experience, discover Spassio, Les Bains du Sommet, Peyragudes’ brand-new wellness and relaxation area. Enjoy an indoor pool with a counter-current swim, massage geysers, a hammam, sauna, and a panoramic jacuzzi overlooking the mountains—offering breathtaking views!

Rejuvenate yourself at Balnéa, the first thermal water relaxation complex in the French Pyrenees, located in the heart of the Louron Valley at Loudenvielle. Balnéa features several themed thermal water areas: Roman, Japanese, Amerindian, Inca, and Tibetan spaces. These unique wellness zones with their soothing baths will take both adults and children on a delightful journey of relaxation!

Grand Tourmalet Barèges-La Mongie

The Grand Tourmalet Barèges-La Mongie ski area welcomes everyone, whatever your level or style of skiing. Grab your lift pass, strap on your skis, snowboard, or snowshoes, and get ready to explore 100 kilometers of pistes! Whether you love steep slopes, gentle runs, hiking, or even sledding, the fine snow at Grand Tourmalet Barèges-La Mongie is waiting for you.

Grand Tourmalet Barèges-La Mongie Ski Area in Numbers:

Alpine ski slopes: 100 kilometers spread across 53 runs — including 11 green, 24 blue, 17 red, and 2 black pistes
Vertical drop: 1,200 meters
Fun zones: snowpark, sledging areas, snowshoe trails, ski touring routes, competition areas, N'PY Moov, freestyle zones

Not a fan of skiing? No worries! There’s plenty to enjoy around the mountain too. Choose from a variety of hikes, freeride lessons, avalanche safety training, igloo building workshops, or relax with spa treatments and Nordic baths. You’re sure to find something to recharge your spirit in the mountains.

For a different kind of thrill, try descending the slopes on a moonbike, fatbike, or specialized mountain bike!