The Pyrénées may not be able to compete with the altitude of the Alps but the mountain range is nothing if not spectacular. Spanning a whopping 450 km (almost double the length of Wales), the Pyrénées form a natural border between France and Spain.
Some might argue that skiing in the Pyrénées can rival the Alps, especially if you’re a beginner or skiing with family. Lift passes and ski schools tend to be cheaper generally also than in the Alps as it’s slightly less of a tourist hub, whereas the Alps are world-renowned for their appeal.
Commune of Les Angles in the French Pyrenees
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The appeal of the Pyrénées
Indeed, the Pyrénées are often overshadowed by the Alps, but by no means is the mountain range inferior. There are a few reasons why some prefer the Pyrénées…
Better snow: The resorts, particularly in the west, near the Atlantic, produce slightly damper snow, meaning it lasts longer and is smoother for winter sports enthusiasts.
Less crowded: Moreover, the Pyrénées aren’t such a hotspot for tourists, therefore you won’t be faced with crowds and offering better value for money for a family skiing holiday. A hidden secret? Well, not quite, but if you’re looking to improve your ski technique, buying a ski property in one a Pyrénées resort could be a huge investment.
Family-friendly: If you are a fan of ski-ing and love France, the Pyrénées is somewhere well worth considering, both for the sport and for buying property. There really is nowhere quite like it for families.
Not just ski! There is also so much more to the Pyrénées than ski resorts. If you’re looking for a place to call home surrounded by breathtaking views, spectacular lakes and charming villages, there’s no better place than the Pyrénées.
Most resorts in the Pyrénées are mostly in Occitanie whereas a few fall within the boundaries of Nouvelle Aquitaine. Starting from the west, they cover the following departments: Pyrénées Atlantiques, Hautes Pyrénées, Haute Garonne, Ariege, Aude and Pyrénées Orientales
6 of the best resorts in the Pyrénées
December in Saint Lary Soulan I Image: Pierre-Olivier via Shutterstock
Saint Lary
Saint Lary is in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of the Occitanie about 80 km south of Tarbes. It is just 20 minutes’ drive down to Spain. This is one of the biggest ski resorts in the Pyrénées and is known for its excellent family ski-ing with good activities for small children including a snow park, kindergarten and easy toboggan run. The lovely snow park becomes a skate park in the summer months and there is also a beautiful lake, Lake Oule, which when frozen over in the winter is used for snow shoeing. The village is quite lively with a good choice of restaurants and bars.
A budget of around €300,000 will find you a 3-4 bedroom property here but expect to pay more in the centre of the village.
Grand Tourmalet
Grand Tourmalet is the biggest ski resort in the mountain range and is found in the Hautes-Pyrénées. Grand Tourmalet is home to over 100 km of pistes to suit all ski levels. The resort is made up of Bareges, which has a distinct village feel to it, and the purpose-built resort of Mongie. With plenty of easy blue runs and well-groomed pistes, the beginner and intermediate skier is well catered for. If you are a little more advanced, there are off-piste routes to explore and for the more seasoned skier, there is a cable car from La Mongie up to the Pic du Midi at 2,877m and an off-piste run down from it! However, you don’t need to ski to visit the top! The view at the top is utterly worthwhile. You can even hire a mountain guide to help you down if you don’t want to take the cable car.
There are new apartments for sale in La Mongie which start at €110,000 for a small studio.
Mountain homes in the resort La Pierre Saint Martin
La Pierre Saint Martin
This delightful resort lies in the Pyrénées Atlantiques department of Nouvelle Aquitaine, about 70 km southwest of Pau. It is very close to the Spanish border and has a thoroughly cosmopolitan feel to it. It best caters for beginners and families with a wide range of blue ski slopes. It also offers cross-country or Nordic skiing. A budget of around €200,000 will buy you a 2-3 bedroom in this area.
Ax 3 Domaines
Ax Les Thermes 3 Domaines is quite a large ski resort situated in the Ariege department in Occitanie. As well as plenty of easy green and blue runs, there are several off-piste trails. The actual ski area sits above the beautiful spa town of Ax les Thermes so there really is something here for everyone. The ski-ing is accessed via gondola from the little spa town which is quite delightful with cobbled streets and plenty of excellent restaurants and cafes. The top of the mountain is called Bonascre and here you will find some ski-in apartments as well as some bars and restaurants.
In the village, a three-to-four-bedroom chalet house will set you back around €300,000, however, it is possible to find smaller houses and apartments for around €200,000.
Commune of Les Angles in the French Pyrenees
Les Angles
Les Angles is also situated in the Pyrénées Orientales but in the Gard department and offers a good selection of pistes for all levels of skier. It also has a wealth of other winter activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even dog sledging! This again is a popular resort, well catered for families with young children. Typically, a budget of at least €250,000 will buy you a two-bedroom apartment with a balcony here.
Font Romeu
Font Romeu is situated in the Aude department of the Pyrénées Orientales quite near the Spanish border, thus it has a real Catalan influence. It is one of the oldest ski resorts in France. It is said to be one of the sunniest ski resorts in the area and it offers a wealth of easy runs for downhill skiing as well as some excellent cross-country skiing. There are also other winter activities here such as ice skating, ice hockey and snowshoeing.
You can find a small studio apartment here for as little as €100,000 but ideally, a budget of over €200,000 is needed for a two-to-three-bedroom apartment.
Summer in the Pyrénées
Summer is beautiful in the Pyrénées as the mountains typically get a pleasant amount of sun and warmth. The great weather provides ample opportunity for cycling, hiking, rambling and wild swimming. There are quite a few well-known forest trails, parks and mountain streams. A lovely idea is to get the Little Yellow Train up into the mountains. It takes you across bridges, streams and past the cliffs up to Latour-de-Carol. You can even start your trip at Villefrance-de-Conflent and the return journey costs just €10.
The Pyrénées are a sight to behold. Even in the height of summer, you can see the snow-capped peaks from miles away. If you are looking to invest in an alpine home, this wonderful region is well worth looking at!
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