My 5 favourite Ski Resorts in the Western Pyrenees

Ski Resort Recommendations

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With winter around the corner, I thought I would write about my favourite ski areas here in the Western Pyrénées.

You might not associate living in Biarritz with skiing, but within a 3-hour drive, you have access to a wide range of beautiful ski resorts, each with its own unique feel.

The resorts in the region are not like the Alps – they are smaller and great for short trips or long weekends. We tend to go for 2 nights and 3 days of skiing. So whether you’re after deep powder, quiet pistes, scenic views, or a good spa after skiing, the Western Pyrenees have plenty to offer.

Here are my five favourite resorts, ranked in order, with a few facts and tips about each place to help you plan your next trip.

Baqueira-Beret (Spain)

Distance from Biarritz: ~285 km / approx 3h by car

Ski area facts:

- 167 km of pistes across three main areas (Baqueira, Beret, Bonaigua)

- 115 runs: 6 green, 43 blue, 47 red, 14 black

- 36 modern lifts

- Elevation: 1,504 m to 2,605 m

Why I love it: Baqueira-Beret is hands-down the most extensive resort in the Pyrenees, offering Alpine-style skiing on the Spanish side. The snow is reliable, the lift infrastructure is top-notch, and there are slopes for all levels.

The villages of the Val d'Aran are built in stone and are very picturesque. There is beautiful scenery and some of the best food you'll find on any ski trip.

2. Cauterets (France)

Distance from Biarritz: ~190 km / approx 2h by car

Ski area facts:

- 36 km of pistes at Cirque du Lys

- 20 runs: good mix of beginner to advanced

- Elevation: 1,730 m to 2,450 m

- 13+ lifts

- Separate Nordic skiing area at Pont d’Espagne

Why I love it: Cauterets combines reliable snow and stunning surroundings with a proper mountain town atmosphere. A cable car from the centre of the town takes you directly to the slopes so you can get great skiing in and equally enjoy browsing the spa town and dropping into Les Bains du Rocher for an après-ski treat!

Cauterets is tucked into a corner of the Pyrenees National Park. It doesn’t have the most extensive skiing, but the views and terrain more than make up for it and are great for a long weekend.

The Pont d’Espagne also offers cross-country skiing and snowshoe hikes in truly stunning scenery.

3. Peyragudes (France)

Distance from Biarritz: ~230 km / approx 2h 30m by car

Ski area facts:

- 60+ km of pistes

- 51 runs: 6 green, 23 blue, 17 red, 4 black

- Elevation: 1,600 m to 2,400 m

- 17 lifts, including the Skyvall cable car

Why I love it: Peyragudes has always been a favourite for my family. It strikes a great balance — large enough to keep you exploring for a few days, but still manageable and friendly.

The slopes are very exposed and sunny and the infrastructure is modern. The Skyvall gondola gives access to the charming village of Loudenvielle in the valley, which has great food, a lake, and a spa of its own.

4. Gourette (France)

Distance from Biarritz: ~175 km / approx 2h 15m by car

Ski area facts:

- 42 km of pistes

- 36 runs: 5 green, 13 blue, 16 red, 4 black

- Elevation: 1,400 m to 2,450 m

- Over 1,000 m of vertical drop

Why I love it: Gourette feels like a hidden gem — nestled in the Béarn mountains with dramatic peaks all around.

It offers good terrain for both beginners and more experienced skiers, and tends to be less crowded than the bigger names. It isn’t the most attractive resort, but many of the slopes are north-facing and so the snow record is reliable when others are suffering.

There’s a great freeride spirit here too, and it’s an ideal escape for a weekend getaway from the coast with plenty of accommodation on offer.

5. La Mongie / Grand Tourmalet (France)

Distance from Biarritz: ~200 km / approx 2h 15m by car

Ski area facts:

- Largest ski area in the French Pyrenees

- 69 pistes (23 green, 19 blue, 21 red, 6 black)

- 43 lifts

- Elevation: 1,400 m to 2,500 m

- Linked to Barèges on the other side

Why I love it: We always stay in the quaint and authentic village of Barèges if we want to ski in La because it has accommodation and is prettier than La Mongie but has a direct link to the ski area.

This is the Grand Tourmalet — the biggest connected ski area in the French Pyrenees. It's a great place for mileage, and the views from the Pic du Midi (which you can reach via cable car) are unbeatable.

The area has a good variety of terrain for all levels and a lively atmosphere. There is something for everyone and after a long day touring the slopes, it’s great to relax before an open fire in a chalet in Barèges!

So there are my top 5 ski resorts in the Western Pyrenees!

When the months of January and February feel a bit dreary and wet, we love to escape to these resorts and get some skiing and mountain air. You can also get an N’py ski card that offers discounts on all the affiliated resorts, saving time and money.