Press Pack Pyrenees Winter 2016-17
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PRESS PACK | WINTER 2016/17 2 I PRESS PACK I WINTER 2016/17 OPENING INDEX SCHEDULE 03 38 resorts, 15 spa centres 2, 3 AND 4 DECEMBER and more than 500 activities 2016 HAUTES-PYRÉNÉES • Cauterets • Luz Ardiden 04 • Grand Tourmalet Barèges- La Mongie Come to the magnificent Pyrenees • Saint Lary Soulan HAUTE-GARONNE • Peyragudes • Luchon Superbagnères 06 • Le Mourtis Investments and figures ARIÈGE • Ax 3 Domaines • Beille Nordic section AUDE 08 • Camurac What's new on the slopes? PYRÉNÉES-ORIENTALES • Font-Romeu / Pyrénées 2000 • Puyvalador 12 10 AND 11 The ultimate in relaxation: DECEMBER new in the spa centres 2016 PYRÉNÉES-ATLANTIQUES • Gourette HAUTES-PYRÉNÉES 16 • Val Louron Magnificent packages ARIÈGE • Ascou PYRÉNÉES-ORIENTALES 21 • Cambre d’Aze The Pyrenees in a click 16, 17 AND 18 DECEMBER 2016 22 PYRÉNÉES-ATLANTIQUES Don't miss • Artouste HAUTES-PYRÉNÉES • Hautacam • Gavarnie • Campan-Payole 24 Nordic section • Nistos Nordic section Contact ARIÈGE • Guzet • Mijanès–Donezan • Chioula Nordic section 26 • Goulier Neige On the map PYRÉNÉES-ORIENTALES • Formiguères 4 I PRESS PACK I WINTER 2016/17 PYRÉNÉES- HAUTES- HAUTE- ATLANTIQUES PYRÉNÉES GARONNE In the south-east of France, the Pyrenees- This wonderful Ski & Spa destination is The regions of Le Mourtis, Luchon- Atlantiques department is known for its surrounded by Lourdes, the Pic du Midi Superbagnères and Peyragudes offer beauty and architectural abundance. and Gavarnie. Cauterets – recognised as a variety of snow activities alongside Henry IV of France, Gaston Fébus and the the world's snowiest resort, Peyragudes, panoramic views, incredible scenery, Musketeers built iconic castles in a region Val Louron, Saint Lary-Soulan, Piau-Engaly, historic places, rivers and canals, people home to the Iraty, Issarbe, La Pierre Saint- Grand Tourmalet, Cauterets, Hautacam, and food and drink. Martin, Le Somport-Candanchu, Artouste Luz-Ardiden, Gavarnie-Gèdre, Nistos and and Gourette districts. Val d’Azun are unique ski resorts. SIX DEPARTMENTS The French Pyrenees are the ultimate winter destination. Stretching out over 45,707 hectares, they're home to the iconic Pic du Midi, Midi d’Ossau and Grand Tourmalet peaks, the glacial cirque of Gavarnie, more than 1,000 iconic ski slopes and 15 spa centres with waters bubbling up at more than 30ºC in midwinter. This makes the French Pyrenees a Ski & Spa destination. Come to the French Pyrenees! PYRÉNÉES- ARIÈGE AUDE ORIENTALES If you're dreaming of new horizons, Ariège Alpine and cross-country skiing and There are eight ski resorts in total in is home to unusual destinations such as, snowshoeing are just some of the winter Pyrénées-Orientales. For the best snow, Ascou, Ax 3 Domaines, Beille, Étang de Lers, activities on offer in the ski resort of unspoilt nature and the ultimate Pyrenees Goulier Neige, Guzet, Le Chioula, Les Monts Camurac. In deepest Languedoc in the experience, head to the Nordic section of d’Olmes and Mijanès-Donezan. Exertion on Aude department, this resort comprises 11 Capcir, the Espace Cambre d'Aze, the endless skip slopes contrasts with the Alpine ski slopes and two cross-country ski Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000, Formiguères, relaxing thermal waters. and showshoe slopes in a protected natural Les Angles, Porté-Puymorens or Puyvalador. setting. 6 I PRESS PACK I WINTER 2016/17 Investments and figures FOCUS TWO NEW FOUR-PERSON CHAIR LIFTS AND UPDATES TO THE LA PIQUETTE AND SAPINS AREAS GRAND TOURMALET To improve the visitor experience, we have installed the new Sapins four-person chair lift in the north section of La Mongie with anti-fall protection for small children. We have also updated the blue slope at La Piquette and installed new snow cannons. Grand Tourmalet has received 11.45 million euros of investment. FOCUS SLOPE IMPROVEMENT AX 3 DOMAINES With the creation of the new 'Development' space for beginners, the foot of the slopes and the skier reception area have been completely remodelled. And the installation of a covered 50-metre moving walkway and a 120-metre T-bar lift will improve access to the ski schools and the snow gardens. The work carried out in the Ax 3 Domaines area in 2016 received four million euros of investment. Meanwhile, the Ax-les-Thermes diversion will improve the entrance and exit for skiers at the resort and create a better atmosphere at the heart of Ax-les- Thermes. Expected to open in November/December 2016. Investments and figures FOCUS NEW GONDOLA LIFT WITH DISABLED ACCESS IN ARTOUSTE The La Sagette Gondola Lift in Artouste has been completely renovated. The new version is larger and much more comfortable with six seats opposite one another and disabled access. To get to this point, almost everything has been changed: the cars, the grips, the rocker arms, the mechanical stations and even the high-voltage towers which have been been reduced in number from 25 from 20. The three-phrase engineering work will enhance comfort for skiers, reduce the environmental impact and respect the little train of Artouste tourist attraction. Work is set to finish just ahead of the winter season and entailed an investment of 5.3 million euros 8 I PRESS PACK I WINTER 2016/17 What’s new on the slopes? OVER THE JAMES BOND SLOPE PEYRAGUDES The first scenes from Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) starring the famous James Bond were shot 20 years ago at the Peyragudes altiport. To celebrate the occasion, the resort is opening the new and original 007 slope. The legendary Bond scene was filmed in the valleys of this resort as he escaped the explosions at the simulated Afghan airbase in a light aircraft. Stretching 2,760 metres, the 007 is a blue slope accessible to all. Peyragudes offers 60 km of pistes: 51 slopes (6 green, 23 blue, 18 red and 4 black) and 17 ultra-modern ski lifts. PAY AS YOU SKI T.+33 (0)5 62 99 69 99 I [email protected] I CAUTERETS www.peyragudes.com Located in the Pyrenees National Park, Cauterets is an authentic mountain village. Ultra-dynamic, elegant and tasteful, it boasts a historic spa centre, With everything you need at your fingertips (shops, leisure activities, restaurants, cinemas, a casino and an ice skating rink), the resort offers 25 Alpine ski slopes, one Nordic section and one showshoe circuit. Snap up the holiday offers in summer and winter and get the best price at www.n-py.com T. +33 (0)5 62 92 50 50 I [email protected] I www.cauterets.com What’s new on the slopes? CHAIR LIFTS OPEN! GRAND TOURMALET Grand Tourmalet is set to open two state-of-the-art chair lifts this season in a bid to improve services and the flow of skiers. The investment in remodelling and modernising the historic Les Sapins and La Piquette areas stands at 11.5 million euros. The resort offers 100 km of pistes: 68 slopes (16 green, 24 blue, 21 red and 7 black) and a freeride slope from the Pic du Midi at an altitude of 1,700 metres. T. +33 (0)5 62 95 50 71 I [email protected] I www.grand-tourmalet.com A NEW LOOK FOR AX 3 DOMAINES If you've ever been to the Ax 3 Domaines ski resort, you'll notice the changes next time. The resort has been redesigned and transformed. The ski schools and snow gardens have been improved to facilit- ate access to the slopes. This ambitious project received investment of approximately three million euros. The Ax 3 Domaines resort is connected to the town of Ax-les-Ther- mes by cable car. It covers more than 1,400 square metres with 80 km of slopes split into three zones to offer varied sensations to skiers. The Bonascre zone between 1,400 and 2000 metres above sea level is perfect for experiencing the joy of skiing. The smooth slope cuts through a pine forest like an invitation to ski. The El Saquet slopes, between 1,900 and 2,300 metres, are put aside for freestyle enthusiasts. Then there is Campels which stands at between 1,700 and 2,400 metres above sea level. Visitors can choose from 36 slopes (9 green, 10 blue, 10 red and 7 black), 17 mechanical lifts (2 gondola lifts, 7 T-bar lifts, 2 rope tow lifts, 6 chair lifts), 195 snow cannons, 1 nine-minute cable car link to Ax-les-thermes, 1 snow park, 2 ski schools, 1 lounge area and 2 mountain restaurants. It also offers the 'Bains du Couloubret' spa and leisure centre, a casino and a conference venue. Package RRP: €36 per person. Contact: www.ax-ski.com 10 I PRESS PACK I WINTER 2016/17 HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY! VAL LOURON About to turn 40? Congratulations! We await you from 7 to 13 February 2017 in Val Louron. We'll celebrate in style on our 20 slopes (7 green, 6 blue, 6 red and 1 black) with week-long activities for all walks of life. Don't miss the party finale and the fireworks on the slopes. If you're turning 40 this year, ski for free in Val Louron. Be sure to remember your ID! T. +33 (0)5 62 99 95 35 I [email protected] I www.val-louron-ski.com SKI THE MAGNIFICENT SKI RESORT OF SAINT-LARY-SOULAN With three linked areas, the 100 km Saint-Lary ski resort has 56 slopes in total (7 green, 26 blue, 17 red and 10 black). Connected to the ski resort by cable car and gondola lift, the village of Saint-Lary has a warm Pyrenean ambiance. Three areas link up: Saint-Lary 1700 or 'Pla d’Adet', Saint-Lary 1900 or 'Espiaube' and Saint-Lary 2400 or 'Vallon du Portet'.