What type of board do we choose this winter?
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This year, it's clear, we're going to practise this winter sport to savour the delights of skiing while enjoying the beautiful snow-covered mountains. But which discipline to choose and in which Pyrenean resort? By Chloé Delanoue for Côte Basque Madame.
Alpine skiing
If you skied as a child, good news... it's like riding a bike, you can't forget it! Especially because with the evolution of equipment and parabolic skis, you will gain in ease and have a lot of fun. If you have never skied before and you have doubts about snowboarding, your position, balance and movement will be more natural on skis, you will be able to "walk" on the snow.
In the Pyrenees, for those who want kilometres of slopes to ski, we recommend the Gran Tourmalet resort (100 km of slopes and 28 lifts) or the Formigal resort (182 km of slopes and 37 lifts).
Snowboard
Contrary to popular belief, snowboarding is easier to learn than skiing. It all depends on how many days you have to dedicate to it during the season, because the first three days will be the most thankless. But the progression is faster than skiing. Snowboarding is ideal for snow lovers, and even more so when you feel comfortable with the position. We recommend two snowparks: the one in Artouste which has more than 20 modules, and the one in Cauterets which is divided into two areas dedicated to freestyle (beginners and experts).
Ski touring
Previously reserved for a few amateurs, since Covid and the closure of the ski resorts, ski touring is experiencing a meteoric rise! It is the discovery of a completely new approach to the mountains: a taste for effort and the pleasure of evolving in the middle of nature.
On the other hand, it requires more technical equipment, mastering avalanche safety rules (DVA, shovel and probe), knowing your routes and accepting to take more risks. But the good thing is that ski centres now offer safe areas and ESF instructors give initiations in the centre. And if you want to go further, accompanied by professionals, go with the team at Pyrénéance (Bagnères-de-Bigorre) or Acumpanyat (Cauterets).
Cross-country skiing
In a slower version... but it allows you to work your cardio on a gentle slope with magnificent scenery. Very easy to learn, it is accessible to everyone. In the Pyrenees, there is no shortage of places to practice this type of skiing.
Among our favourites: the Val d'Azun Nordic area in the Gavarnie Valley (90 km of pistes); the Col du Somport area in the Aspe Valley (25 km of pistes); in the Barétous Valley, the Issarbe resort a few kilometres from the Basque Country (31 km of pistes) and the La-Pierre-Saint-Martin Nordic area (25 km of pistes); and Pont d'Espagne in the Pyrenees National Park (36 km of pistes).
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