What to do in the Pyrenees in winter?

Are you planning a winter vacation 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 ice mountains, snowy valleys and pine forests, the Pyrenean scenery lends itself well to winter sports. There's more to having fun in the Pyrenees than just skiing ;)

Learn about caving in the caves of the Pyrenees

When it's cold outside, we look for indoor activities. So, we take you into the bowels of the earth to discover nature, from the inside! Even if we know more and more about our environment and its workings, this underground world remains shrouded in mystery. Whatever your level and your sporting abilities, the specialized instructors will be able to guide you, in complete safety, in this wonderful universe.

Go exploring with Objectif Spéléo in Seix; Photo @Objectif Spéléo

Visit an underground cave

We stay underground for a more family-friendly visit. In the Ariège Pyrenees, the Lombrives cave has been a refuge throughout history. From prehistory to the present day, many generations have left their traces there. It must be said that this cave is truly fascinating with its concretions, its lake and its " cathedral ". Different visits have been planned to satisfy all your desires, from family hiking to caving discovery.

Walking in nature

Winter is a good season to enjoy nature in peace and quiet. You will come across far fewer hikers than in the summer. You can admire this magnificent picture-postcard panorama, formed by the Pyrenean mountains under the snow. The fir forests are not bare and are home to many wild animals. If you are discreet, you will probably come across a few...

The mountain is yours, in its white coat

If you are more of a cyclist, the mountain passes and roads offer you an exceptional environment with viewpoints that match these sporting challenges.

The brave and well-equipped can take on the winter roads

Fishing for Pyrenean trout in a fish farm

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

Learn or improve yourself! Photo @Lesley Williamson

Practice an original winter sport

Winter sports in the Pyrenees remain a must . 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 skis:

• Rediscover your inner child and go sledding. 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 resorts, slopes reserved for sledding.

• Do you like cycling? Then you absolutely have to try the Fat bike ! This is a bike specially equipped to grip the snow. You can rent it, as well as other original machines, at the Peyragudes resort or in other resorts in the Pyrenees. A list of rental agencies is available here.

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

Snowshoe yoga hiking, what a great idea! Photo: @ Omahatha Yoga

Discover the sky in the observatories

The observatories of the Hautes Pyrénées and the Ariège Pyrenees offer one-off workshops during events, introductions or courses to admire the sky at this time of year when the Milky Way is wonderful to observe.

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

• Want to get even closer to the stars? Head to La Mongie station.

The Pic du Midi de Bigorre, a breathtaking view

Relax in wellness centers

After sport, comfort… What 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 fill up on energy!

Taste mountain gastronomy

In the Pyrenees, there are many local products to taste : mountain cheeses, trout from the Gaves, black pork, Tarbais beans... This typically mountain cuisine has managed to preserve its authenticity, while evolving into a renowned gastronomy. Toulouse and its cassoulet, the garbures of the southwest, the Pyrenees pies... The typical dishes of the region are gourmet and generous.

• To inspire you, we present some traditional recipes from Toulouse and Pyrenean cuisine.
• To find the right ingredients, nothing could be simpler on the markets or in the producers' stores. And if you don't have the courage to get to the stove, find a list of restaurants in the region.

Yum, we need hearty dishes in winter! © SOLLUB / Adobe Stock

Visit the sacred city of Lourdes

This city with a special destiny will amaze you. Of course, the sanctuaries, 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.

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

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Article written by Stéphanie Tempier for the Toulouse Pyrénées Guide.