Cauterets

Cauterets is a wonderful place to take a break, whether a long weekend, a week - or a month!  From the ski station to the thermal spas and from the picturesque Pont d'Espagne to the ice skating rink and public swimming pool. Cauterets is a thriving old fashioned French mountain town with its own economy of market traders, traditional shops (butcher, baker, patisseries, ski hire, boutiques), numerous bars and restaurants. It even has its own Casino and amusement arcade.

Cauterets is blessed with the best snowfall in the whole of the Pyrenees. The beautiful historic spa town is at 1000m but the ski station is at a lofty 1850m and so gets the first snow of the season, the last snow and the best snow. The ski station is reached by the brand new high speed 8 man telecabin installed at a cost of 25 million euros in 2004. The system, which gives access to 23 runs with 36km of marked piste, has been dubbed the TGV of the Pyrenees.  During the winter season the town is preoccupied with the business of skiing. It has 3 ski schools (including ESF), creche facilities, and a free bus service to Pont d'Espagne. Night life is what you make it - with numerous late night bars and restaurants you can't go wrong.

During the Summer the old town, blessed with stunning architecture, shifts its emphasis to walking, climbing and mountain biking as well as its natural thermal spa trade. For serious walkers, the town is on the Atlantic - Mediterranean long-distance footpath the GR10.