After two years of enforced closure for French ski resorts, this year is proving to be a bumper season. We had early snow in the mountains in November which formed a good, solid base on the slopes and then some heavy snowfalls since with the rest of the time being mainly sunny days and cold nights, the ideal weather for the resorts to attract skiers and to be able to make snow overnight with snow cannons to keep the pistes in top condition.
What I love about living within striking distance of the Pyrenees is that ability to take a day off at very short notice and spend the day skiing when the conditions are perfect, and the slopes are empty. Of course, skiing is always going to be regarded as an elite sport and a luxury by most people but, at our local resort, we can still ski all day for under €25 and, if we take a picnic, that is not the most expensive day out. There are cheaper lift passes for children and retirees and it’s free if you are over 75. In the Alps, the cost of ski passes would be double as would food and drink on the slopes but skiing in our region is not seen as a luxury; it is something most of the locals do in the winter while in summer they will go for a walk or bike ride. Children are taken skiing with school from the age of 4 if the conditions allow and there is also a dedicated ski bus every day in the season from our main town that will take you to the ski station and back for €2. It would cost more than that to get a coffee in many parts of the world.
It is still magic to me that we can leave the house at 8am and be on the slopes by 9am with hardly a soul to be seen and then back home in time for a cup of tea on the terrace in the sun while looking at the snow high on the mountain where we have just been skiing. Life really doesn’t get much better than that.
If you need help in finding your home in France, please get in touch: nadia@foothillsoffrance.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.