Saint Lary, France

The Resort

Saint Lary is known as the star of the French Pyrenees. It is a traditional Pyrenean town with plenty of charm and character. It has medieval areas and a lively main street stretching the length of the town and offering plenty to do day and night. During the day, the bakeries, delicatessens and shops show off the range of local specialities and tempt with mouth-watering treats. In the evening the restaurants and bars come alive offering all types of cooking and styles.  There is plenty to keep couples, families and groups of friends occupied on and off the slopes – from discovering the splendour of the Pyrenees on a snow shoe ramble or snow mobile to outlandish activities such as ice diving or ice climbing on frozen waterfalls. Children will love dog sledding in the winter countryside or treetop trails climbing through the tree canopy. But you must not miss the Sensoria Spa - a thermal spa experience not to be missed. Sensoria thermal spa with its grotto-like decor consists of a selection of pools in water heated to an inviting 90°F (32°C). The various pools have themes – whirlpools and geysers, waterfalls and underwater jets are a thrill for all the family. The canyons and lazy rivers whooshing through the grottos and caverns. There are also more relaxed areas for adults with a sauna, whirlpool bath, and steam room.

The resort is a ski resort and so much more – there is an abundance of other cultural, exploratory and adrenaline activities for any non-skiers in the group and the resort has been awarded Ski France’s ‘Famille Plus Montagne’ emblem, meaning it is committed to offering the very best amenities and activities for children’s enjoyment.

Skiing

High above the authentic picture postcard village of Saint Lary is the ski resort of Saint Lary Soulan, created in 1957. The lively and yet traditional feel of the village combined with up-to-date ski facilities and an excellent infrastructure to its three high altitude ski zones make it a firm resort favourite in the French Pyrenees.

Saint Lary is an internationally renowned winter sports resort with something to please everyone and slopes set over different altitudes and orientations meaning good snow and the ability to ski in the sun the whole day.

Saint Lary Soulan has plenty to offer progressive beginners and intermediate skiers with a heavy emphasis on blue graded runs. It's a great resort for those who appreciate an even mix of enjoyable runs from scenic cruising blue runs to the more challenging red runs. There is also a good proportion of steeper blacks for those looking for an adrenaline shot.

The area has three distinct linked sectors: Saint-Lary 1700 (Pla d'Adet), Saint-Lary 1900 (Espiaube) and Saint-Lary 2400 (Vallon du Portet).

Saint-Lary 1700 is accessed via the Gondola and the Pic Lumiere cable car from the village centre in the valley and is dedicated to family skiing. This area is where you will find the Kidpark (6-12 year olds) and nursery slopes along with a toboggan run. There is also a selection of restaurant and bars here along with slopeside accommodation.

 Saint-Lary 1900 is a connecting sector for 1700 and 2400 and it also has one of the longest pistes in the French Pyrenees - Mirabelle. This famous run goes on for 3.6km with a vertical drop of 700m and is names after the 1968 Olympic Women's Downhill silver medalist Isabelle Mir! There's a good mix of runs along with a stade slalom, snow shoe trails and toboggan runs.

Finally, Saint-Lary 2400 is where you will find some of the more challenging runs as the altitude increases and the slopes steepen. You will also find the Snow Park here with its selection of jibs, jumps and rails. That's not to say 2400 is for high intermediates and experts only. You will also find a good selection of reds and blues and some gentle greens which makes it a great place for progressive beginners to explore.

All three sectors have a selection of mountain restaurants at your service when you feel the need to refuel.

There are roads and two cable cars leading up to the linked areas of “La Cabane”, “Pla d'Adet” and “Espiaube” and a regular free local shuttle bus connects these areas.

The ski area can be accessed by a mountain road which takes the famous Pla D’Adet route used in the the Tour de France.