Activities and Information   Winter | Summer | All Year Round

• Skiing - Cauterets is connected to the Cirque du Lys ski area by a high speed tele-cabin that has been nicknamed the TGV of the Pyrenees. It transports you from the town at 1,000m to the heart of the ski area at 1,800m in only 12 minutes!

• The ski area itself is between 1,730m and 2,415m and has 36km of pisted runs. An excellent location for beginners, intermediate skiers and families, with 4 green runs, 9 blue runs, 8 red runs and 2 black runs. The Cauterets ski pass also allows you to ski at the beautiful Pont d'Espagne (about 5 miles away) with a further 3 red runs and two blue runs.

• Snowboarding - Both Cauterets and the Pont d'Espagne ski areas are very popular with snowboarders. There are large areas of excellent off-piste on offer and at Cauterets there is a 'freestyle' area.

• Tobogganing - There are many excellent places to take the kids tobogganing but the most popular by far is a purpose made tobogganing slope at the Pont d'Espagne, at the bottom of which is The Chalet-Restaurant du Clot, providing sustenance for both parents and children. I have watched with interest as, slowly but surely, the parents end up having more turns down the run than their children!

• Telemarking/Snowshoes - For those of you who like cross-country skiing or winter walks with snowshoes, this is hugely popular in the local area and many sports shops cater for the hire of equipment - some will even arrange guided walks and assist you with the best itineraries.

Summer Months

• Walking - It's your choice - valley walks, low-level mountain walks, high-level mountain walks or guided walks, Cauterets has them all. For the more adventurous families - why not take the kids on a walk up to Lac d'Ilheou at 1,988m, where there is a refuge providing meals and a bed for the night (take a sleeping bag). A 45 min drive will take you to Gavarnie which has the highest waterfall in Europe.
  For serious walkers - the GR10 can be followed west for a hard days walk to the beautiful Lac d'Estaing (6 hours without breaks) and east to Luz St Saveur (7 hours without breaks). There are numerous nearby summits of around 7,000ft - 8,000ft with great views of the town and surrounding areas - why not pay them a visit?

• Mountain Biking - You are really spoilt for choice with almost unlimited tracks, trails and paths to go mountain biking on. easy, moderate or strenuous - you choose the route to suit yourself.

• Paragliding - Available at the nearby towns of Pierrefitte Nestalas and Argeles Gazost, both of which can be reached in 15 minutes by car.

• Lourdes - The wonderful pilgrimage town of Lourdes is less than 30 minutes by car and apart from the must-do visit to the grotto offers good shopping, great restaurants and places of interest.

All Year round

• Thermal spas - Cauterets has naturally occurring hot water bubbling up from the ground and has 9 places offering thermal spas. 3 of these are large spas and offer various packages and treatments including - bathing in the hot waters, massages, sauna, steam room, beauty treatments, mudpacks, etc.

• Swimming - The local swimming pool is open all year round and membership is not required to use the facilities.

• Ice-skating - The Ice Rink is adjacent to the old train station at the bottom end of town and is open between 25 June and 11 September.

• Casino/Cinema - The Casino has a bar, numerous slot machines and a roulette table. For those who speak fluent French, there is a two-screen cinema directly above the Casino.

• Street Park - Skateboarders, BMX riders, roller-bladers and roller-skaters all love the street park, with all the necessary jumps and obstacles for a great days fun.

• Canyoning/Rafting - Several local companies cater for both individuals and parties wishing to go canyoning or white water rafting.

• Extras - Too numerous to mention them all but the town also has an all-year-round carousel, crazy golf, library with internet access, outdoor market, huge indoor childrens games room (with pool tables, table football, pin-ball and interactive games), climbing wall, bars, cafes, great restaurants and hotels.