Cauterets in the Pyrenees: A beautiful spa town that offers more than just skiing

Nestled between the two vast a great countries of France and Spain and flanked by the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, the Pyrenees offers some spectacularly diverse views. Whether you yearn for traditional, well-preserved villages on a skiing holiday or an ultra-modern resort, when it comes to skiing, the Pyrenees has something for everyone.

One of the most popular ski resorts on the French side of the Pyrenees is Cauterets, situated just 30 kilometres to the south of Lourdes. This old spa town is burrowed in a stunningly beautiful valley known as the Gave de Cauterets. Huge mountainous peaks surround Cauterets including Pic de Peguere (2316m), Le Monne (2723m), Cabaliros (2333m) and the Vignimalle (3298m), providing a heavenly landscape for some serious skiing.

The skiing around Cauterets is suited to all levels of skiers, including beginners and intermediates. There is a grand total of 25 pistes at the Cirque du Lys, a place at Cauterets designed for practicing skiing and snowboarding. If cross country skiing tickles your fancy then you could venture to Pont d’Espagne where you will find a sufficient 36 kilometre course. The Pont d’Espagne is a stone-built bridge in a breath-taking site of the Pyrenees National Park.

Cauterets is famous for its thermal springs and is a popular stopping off point for those tackling the great Pyrenean walk from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Skiers who find the ski runs around Cauterets are not sufficiently demanding for their ability might be pleased to learn that their ski lift passes can be used at the more testing resorts of the Grand Tourmalet and St Lary.

There are also ample opportunities to ski off piste through fresh powder snow in this staggering beautiful part of the Pyrenees.

When you’ve put down your skies for the day there is plenty of great non-skiing activities to do in Cauterets, such as tucking into a satisfying meal in one of the charming and cosy restaurants. There are also numerous wellbeing, sport, cultural and education activities on offer for both adults and children in the stunning spa town of Cauterets.