Off-Piste

and Ski Touring.

Ski Touring in the Pyrenees.

The resort of Bareges in the high Pyrenees are excellent for Ski de Randonnee (ski touring). Ski touring in the Pyrenees is a great way to access nature as it was intended to be seen. The Pyrenees and the nature reserve of the Neouvielle is a vast area of spectacular beauty and mountains that can be only accessed by ski tourers in the winter. With the ski touring equipment and a bit of hard work, tourers will be able to escape the crowds on the slopes and find some great skiing.

There are many well known routes. If you have any doubts about your knowledge of the area, our locally qualified guides have the knowledge and ability to help you enjoy the beauty of the Pyrenees whilst keeping you safe, we always use a guide.

Classic Routes

The Neouvielle nature reserve, Pyrenean National Park and the Pic du Midi from 2877 metres from where there are many routes to choose from. One of the best descents in the valley is the 17km long Aygues Cluses This can be skied without touring gear and is often the first off-piste experience for many skiers. For those of you who have experience of off piste skiing, our guides can give you coaching and guiding at an introductory level for ski touring, so you can enjoy the off-piste experience away from the crowds.

Several itineraries begin after the village of Bareges, with certain itineraries leading into Spain. This is the beginning of the classic itinerary, the Pyrenees high route (Haute Route Pyrenees)commonly known as the HRP. Most of the best routes are, one day, local ski tours into the national park.

Ski touring is perhaps the most exhilarating way to enjoy the mountains in winter. Combining the skills of off piste skiing with mountaineering opens up a vast area of terrain inaccessible on foot. We offer guiding on day tours in and around the Bareges Valley or 2-3 day refuge to refuge tours are best done between March and May, when the refuges are open and the days longer & warmer.

Technical equipment available for hire.

- Touring skis with touring bindings
- Ski Touring boots
- Ajustable ski poles
- Skins
- Ski crampons
(These are extra and are payable in the resort)
- Avalanche transceiver
- Snow shovel
- Probe
(Provided by the Guide)

Cost the the week £695.00 includes:-
Based on a min 5 persons max 8 per guide.
- Half Board Accomodation at Les Sorbiers inc afternoon tea.
- Transfers to & from Lourdes Airport. From Stansted with Ryanair.
- English speaking qualified guide.

Whats Not:-
- Equipment Hire.
- Flights.
- Lunches.
- Lift passes.

Fitness & Skiing Advice
You need to be physically fit and able to walk for a minimum of 3 hours for you to maximise your enjoyment of this holiday. All the other people you will be touring with will be of the same fitness so no-one will be left behind. Please do not underestimate your skiing ability you should be a competent skier able to ski confidently on a red run.

So, if you are looking for excellent value for money Ski Touring holidays in the largest ski area in the Pyrenees then look no further than Bareges. You can get more information on our Touring weeks on the prices page if you want us to organise a different week other than what is shown we don't have to stick to the dates shown you can contact us directly on the numbers shown on the contacts page, or at email us info@lessorbiers.co.uk and book your Ski Touring Holiday in Bareges now.

TORCHLIGHT DESCENT - Each Wednesday (our night off at Les Sorbiers) we arrange an evening at Chez Louisette, our favourite mountain restaurant superbly situated in the forests of Le Lienz. You will be served a five-course traditional Pyrenean dinner, after the meal the ski school lead a torchlit descent through the forest back to the village. Before the meal the instructors from Ecoloski organise ski games- tandem skiing, inflatables, and snowboarding.

The SKI SCHOOL 'ECOLOSKI' - Whether you are a complete beginner or an expert skier the instructors of Ecoloski, our local ski school, will have you doing things on skis you will have never done elsewhere. For them learning has to be fun so even the beginners will soon be moving around the whole network. The better skier will be taken to some of the special places that only Ecoloski can find, as the instructors are locals their knowledge of the ski area and conditions is unequalled, a love of their mountains shines through their work. You will have the opportunity to meet them each Saturday evening at Les Sorbiers where they will explain the ski area and their programme of activities. Tuition is also available in snowboarding, mono, telemark, touring, cross-country and they offer tandem paragliding flights.

OFF-PISTE AND SKI TOURING - Bareges and its surroundings offer superb opportunities for touring and off- piste skiing. Each Friday the ski school organizes an off-piste tour for all abilities into the National Park where you will descend the beautiful Aygues Cluses valley. In the capable hands of qualified instructors you will learn that off-piste does not mean difficult or dangerous, Ecoloski have specific weeks  throughout the year and will demonstrate that the better snow conditions can often be found away from the marked runs. Towards the end of our season we have ski touring weeks with guided two day trips into the National Park at Gavarnie and the Neouvielle.