What to do in the Pyrenees in winter?

You are planning a winter holiday in the Pyrenees… Get off the beaten track and follow our program of fun and original activities to make your winter stay in the Pyrenees unforgettable! With its mountains of ice, snow-capped valleys and pine forests, the Pyrenean scenery lends itself well to winter sports. It's not just skiing to have fun in the Pyrenees ;)  

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Learn about caving in the caves of the Pyrenees

When it's cold outside, we look for indoor activities. So we take you to the bowels of the earth for a discovery of nature, from the inside! Even if we know our environment and its workings better and better, this underground world remains shrouded in mystery. Whatever your level and your sporting abilities, the specialized instructors will know how to guide you, in complete safety, in this marvelous universe. Here is our list of caving clubs in the Pyrenees.

Explore with Objectif Spéléo in Seix ; Photo @Objective Caving

Visit an underground cave

We stay underground, for a more family visit. In the Ariège Pyrenees, the Lombrives cave has been a refuge throughout history. From prehistoric times to the present day, many generations have left their traces there. It must be said that this cave is really fascinating with its concretions, its lake and its " cathedral ". Different visits have been planned to satisfy all your desires, from family hiking to speleological discovery. Check out practical information and events on their website.

Take a walk in nature

Winter is a good season to enjoy nature in peace. You will meet a lot less hikers than in summer. You can admire this magnificent postcard panorama, formed by the Pyrenean mountains under the snow. The fir forests do not become bare and are home to many wild animals. By being discreet, you will probably come across a few...

To guide you, we offer a selection of walks and hikes :  

• 4 hiking ideas around Loudenvielle and Saint-Lary-Soulan.
• La Gourgue d'Asque, a fantastic hike in the heart of the Pyrenees rainforest.
• Our favorite : An exploration of the Gavarnie circus! For the more athletic, you can also practice ice climbing.

The mountain is yours, in its white coat

If you are more of a cyclist, the passes and mountain roads offer you an exceptional environment, with views up to these sporting challenges.  

• Follow us on the ascent by bike of the Col de Tourmalet.  

To find other cycling routes, the website of the tourist office provides you with the most beautiful cycling routes in Occitania (fr). For advice, tips and tips : the Maison du Vélo website is very comprehensive.

The brave, well-equipped can take to the winter roads

Fishing for Pyrenean trout in a fish farm

An aquaculture farm is the ideal place to try out Pyrenean trout fishing in any season. If you are already a fan, this will be an opportunity to practice this hobby outside the regulated period and to improve your techniques to be ready for the opening of fishing!  

• Read our article on a great fishing trip at the "Truite des Pyrénées " fish farm, which welcomes you to Gavarnie-Cèdre.

Learn or improve! Photo @Lesley Williamson

Practice an original winter sport

Winter sports in the Pyrenees remain essential. But there are many other activities to discover, apart from skiing. We offer you our most unusual ideas to enjoy the snow without putting on your skis :

• Find your child's soul and go sledging. Well yes, sledding is not just for children. You too still have the right to have fun, experience intense sliding sensations and finish your crazy race in the snow! You will find, in many stations, tracks reserved for sledges. As a bonus, here's everything you always wanted to know about sleddin (fr)...
  

• Do you like cycling? So, you absolutely have to test the Fat bike! It is a bicycle specially equipped to grip the snow. You can rent them, as well as other original machines, at the Peyragudes station or in other stations in the Pyrenees. A list of rental agencies is available here.

• Take a sleigh ride with sled dogs or pulled by a horse.

• Don't have enough? Here are our 5 unusual snow activities, even completely frosted!

The snowshoe yoga hike, what a great idea! Photo : @Omahatha Yoga

Discover the sky in the observatories

The Hautes Pyrénées and Pyrénées Ariégeoises observatories offer occasional workshops during events, initiations or courses to admire the sky at this time of the year when the Milky Way is great to observe.  

• The Sabarat Observatory is located near the Mas-d'Azil, in a very preserved environment. It organizes evenings and entertainment.

• Want to be even closer to the stars? You have to go to Mongie station. To find out more, follow us during our day of discovery of the sky and the Pyrenees at 360° at the Pic du Midi de Bigorre Observatory.

Pic du midi de bigorre ; The Pic du Midi de Bigorre, a breathtaking view

Relax in the wellness centers

After sport, comfort… And if we went to relax in a wellness center… After all these sporting and invigorating activities, it is high time to take care of yourself and recharge your batteries to recharge your batteries! To find the right address, this page shows you the balneotherapy areas, hammams, saunas, etc.

• We tested for you, here is our report on thermal baths and spas in the Pyrenees.

Our favorites :  

• The spa resort of Aulus-les-Bains (fr) is known for its healing waters. Les Thermes d'Aulus welcome you for moments of relaxation in its swimming pool, jacuzzi, hammam... and for treatments. Nearby, do not miss the walk around the Ars waterfall.
• You will find other spas in Ax-les-Thermes (fr) and Ussat-les-Bains.
• At Aquensis, enjoy a moment of escape at the thermal spa of Bagnères-de-Bigorre.
  
  

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Taste the mountain gastronomy

In the Pyrenees, there are many local products (fr) to taste : mountain cheeses, trout from the gaves, black pork, Tarbais beans... This typically mountain cuisine has preserved its authenticity, while evolving towards a renowned gastronomy. Toulouse and its cassoulet, garbones from the south-west, pies from the Pyrenees… the typical dishes of the region are delicious and generous.

• To inspire you, we present you some traditional recipes from Toulouse and Pyrenean cuisine (fr).
• To find the right ingredients, nothing could be easier in the markets (fr) or in the producers' stores. And if you don't have the courage to cook, here you will find a list of restaurants in the region.
• Are you spending your vacation in a ski resort? So what do we eat at the foot of the slopes? Our blogger tells you all about mountain gastronomy.

At the bottom of the Barèges slopes, near the Col de Tourmalet and the Pic du Midi, the Auberge du Lienz, chez Louisette (fr) welcomes you in a friendly atmosphere to easily enjoy this family cuisine, based on good local products and ancestral recipes.

Yum, you need invigorating dishes in winter! © SOLLUB / Adobe Stock

Visit the sacred city of Lourdes

This city with a special destiny will amaze you. Of course, the shrines, the basilica and the other churches are magnificent. In addition, religious tourism has developed there and offers you all kinds of activities and visits on this theme. But there is also a lake, a funicular, a fortified castle and a Pyrenean museum to see. For an overview of your visit, follow our blogger during her 24 hours in Lourdes, the sacred city at the foot of the Pyrenees.

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We hope that these few ideas have inspired you for the next winter holidays in the Pyrenees.

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Article written by Stéphanie Tempier for the Toulouse Pyrénées Guide.

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