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Bareges Ski Holidays

At a glance

  • Tree lined pistes
  • Grand Tourmalet ski area
  • Historic spa town

Great for

  • Off piste
  • Cheap ski holidays
  • Ski & spa

Ski Holidays in Bareges

After Chamonix, Barèges is the oldest ski resort in France and it doubles up as an amazing spa town too. The turn of the millennium saw it become part of the Grand Tourmalet area, shared with La Mongie, meaning you now have one of the Pyrenees’ biggest ski areas to explore.

  • Flight Time
  • 1h 45m
  • From London
  • Nearest Airports
  • Geneva, Grenoble
  • Chambery, Lyon
  • Time zone
  • GMT + 1 hour
  • Language
  • French
  • Currency
  • Euros
  • Ski Season
  • Dec - April

Bareges Stats

Top Altitude
2500m
Bottom Altitude
1400m
Resort Altitude
1250m
Total Piste
100km 61 runs
Longest Run
Slope Orientation
N S
Vertical Drop
Skiable Vertical
Night Skiing
No
Glacier Skiing
No

Barèges sits on the western side of the Col du Tourmalet – there ain’t no mountain road higher than this in the French Pyrenees, which in the summer acts as a famously fiendish stretch of the Tour de France. In the winter, it’s slap bang in the centre of a ski area, which connects Barèges with the resort of La Mongie on the other side of the pass. They joined hands in 2000 to form the Grand Tourmalet, which at 100km is one of the biggest ski areas in the Pyrenees.

It mightn’t be a household name like Chamonix, but after the legendary mountain town, this is actually the second oldest French ski resort. The local ski school opened its doors back in 1921 and the first lift was installed a few years later in 1936.

And as if having a sizeable ski area and historic status weren’t enough, Barèges isn’t just a ski resort. It’s a spa town too, home to Les Thermes des Barèges where hot healing springs have attracted visitors for donkey’s years. Unlike other Pyrenean spa towns, it wasn’t the Romans who unveiled the benefits of bathing here – but sheep. Local shepherds noticed that when injured, their flock would lie in the water to recover, which lead to the discovery of the healing properties of the springs… Would ewe believe it?! Napoleon famously sent his troops here to bathe their wounds, and these days the wellness facilities in the Cieleo spa are incredible.

The town itself is authentically Pyrenean with more modern additions built in recent years and the Bastian river running through the middle - all surrounded by wooded valleys.

Winter Sports Ratings

Beginners

Intermediate

Advanced

Snowboarding

Bareges Transfer Times

Tarbes Lourdes Pyrénées Airport 1 hour
Pau-Uzein Airport 1.5 hours
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport 2.5 hours

The nearest airport to Bareges is Ossun / Tarbes / Lourdes at 45 km or about 1 hour by car

What's the ski area like in Bareges?

If you’re driving, there are car parks by the lift stations at Bareges and Tournaboup, otherwise a bus runs between the resorts. We love the variety of skiing in the Grand Tourmalet, with wooded runs around Bareges and open, sunny terrain in La Mongie.

Which other ski resorts are near to Bareges?

The nearest ski resorts to Bareges include Cauterets.

Ski Area Facts

LocationMidi-Pyrenees, France
Established
Downhill100km 61 runs
Lift Pass€223 (adult 6 day)

Beginner Slopes

38 runs

Intermediate Skiing

17 runs

Advance & Expert Terrain

6 runs

Snowboarding Trails

100km 61 runs100%

What is Bareges like for Beginner skiers?

Beginners can learn the basics in Laquette, progressing onto the easy Tournaboup green for a confidence boost. There are oodles of blue runs, reaching over to the La Mongie side to let improvers really explore. The Gaubie blue piste back to Barèges is a terrific route through the trees.

What is Bareges like for Intermediate skiers?

For intermediates, the Castillon and Caoubere chairs each serve two red runs – Neouvielle and Caoubere are often left ungroomed after snowfall, for a technique testing, bumpy descent. The wide, sunny slopes in the Col de Tourmalet area are some of our favourites for a cruisey and scenic descent.

What is Bareges like for Advanced skiers?

Black runs include Ricao, which the grooming machines often leave be for a steep, mogulled challenge. Over around Mongie, Coume l’Ayse mixes open fields with flatter stretches and testing walls.

What is Bareges like for snowboarding?

There is are few cat tracks, and plenty freeride areas. There is a snowpark at the Tourmalet lift.

What is Bareges like for off-piste skiing?

Getting a guide to show you the off-piste terrain is well worth it: from natural gulleys and chutes to powder fields, there’s some incredible terrain – especially around Pourteilh, Pic Quatre Termes and Pic du Midi. We’ve heard great things about the ski touring in the Neouvielle national park too.

Bareges Restaurants

For foodies, Chez Louisette is worth seeking out (via a drive, then short walk) for regional food in a rustic setting.

Bareges Après Ski

La Laquette’s one of the most popular après spots for drinks on deckchairs and hearty burgers. Patrick provides a warm welcome to Bar L’Isba, where you’ll find good wine and awesome tartiflette.

Bareges Activites for Non-skiers

The thermal baths in Barèges make a good stopping off point after skiing where you can relax in the hot sulphuric springs. Located at the top of the main street, the thermal baths have a wide range of water therapies including whirlpools, saunas, thermal baths and showers, water massage and an aqua-gym with exercises specifically to develop the skiing muscles. Lourdes with its world famous Grotto (cave) and healing waters makes a good day trip from here. The story of the Grotto dates back to 1858 when an "apparition" appeared several times to a local peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous. During these sightings the young girl was apparently told to dig at a certain spot and when she did a spring began to flow. The water from this still flowing stream has shown remarkable healing power although it contains no curative property that science has been able to identify. Lourdes has become a modern shrine with worldwide visitors coming here to bathe in the waters.Besides rejuvenating sessions in the Cieleo Spa, activities include paragliding, snowshoeing, dog sledding and snowmobiling.

Clothing Food & Souvenir Shops

Barèges has many sports shops selling everything you could need for your ski holiday at lower prices than you would find in most French resorts. It also has a supermarket, pharmacy, photography shop, butcher, baker and several souvenir type shops.

Best Time to Visit Bareges

If you’re skiing here early on in the winter, the Tourmalet pistes are usually sunny and the runs down to Bareges nice and sheltered by the trees. Meanwhile, the Pourteilh area towards La Mongie is north facing, with high altitude pistes from 2500m. This is where you’ll find the best conditions if you visit later in the season.

What's Bareges like at Christmas?

Ski pretty, tree-lined pistes and enjoy warm Pyrenean hospitality over Christmas in Barèges.

What's Bareges like in the New Year?

Celebrate the New Year in Barèges with skiing, spa sessions and delicious local cuisine.

What's Bareges like in Half-Term?

With holidays tending to be cheaper in this neck of the woods, booking Half Term in Barèges is a brilliant way to get some quality time on the snow without having to spend too much.

What's Bareges like at Easter?

The snow tends to hold out well for Easter in Barèges, and if conditions aren’t great in the afternoon there’s always the spa to escape to…

Bareges Snow Conditions

Snow Report, History & Forecast

View our detailed Bareges snow report to see skiing confitions now. Our Bareges snow history shows you what snow depths have been in recent years month-by-month. If you're visiting soon, use the Bareges snow forecast to see predicted snowfall over the coming days.

  • Heavy snow Today
  • Sunny skies Sunday
  • Sunny skies Monday
  • Moderate snow Tuesday
  • Moderate snow Wednesday
  • Light snow showers Thursday
  • Current snow depth at top
    89 cm
  • Alternate Text
  • Current snow depth at base
    80 cm

The ESI Ecoloski run a range of group lessons for children aged 3-12, using a gentle snow playground for learners and the snowpark and slalom for more experienced sprogs. Set off to explore the Grand Tourmalet while they’re in good hands, or slip away to the spa for some well-deserved R&R…

If you’re a family of adventurers, book a snowmobile or husky safari and fly across the landscape, while broods of history buffs can visit the Musee Salies and Musee du Marbre to learn about the area’s past.

A ski resort that doubles up as a spa resort can be brilliant for groups of skiers and non-skiers. While SNO lovers set off to discover all four corners of the 100km Grand Tourmalet, those who prefer a slower pace of life have all manner of wellness facilities and treatments at the Thermes de Barèges. Share stories of the day over drinks at La Laquette or L’Isba, or book a table at Chez Louisette for a grand group dinner.

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Ski Extras

How much is a ski pass in Bareges

Maximum and minimum adult Bareges lift pass prices ranged from €229 to €229 for 6 days access to the Bareges ski lift system at the start of the 2025 winter season. Our lift passes are part of a packaged Bareges holiday with accommodation, so prices vary depending on chalet or hotel suppliers. Confirm price for the lift ticket before booking your holiday.

Lift Tickets Child Adult Senior
1 Day Price €27 - €38 €31 - €43 N / A
6 Day Price €201 - €201 €229 - €229 N / A
Age Range 5 - 17 N / A N / A

Getting to Bareges

Most of our ski holidays to Bareges packaged with flights include airport transfers. We can also arrange private transfers to Bareges from nearby airports

How long does it take to fly to Bareges from the UK?

Flights from London take about 1h 45m to Geneva, Grenoble, Chambery, Lyon. This table shows approximate transfer times to Bareges from the nearest airports, smaller airports can be more prone to delays.

Airport Distance Transfer Time
Ossun / Tarbes / Lourdes 45 km 1 hour

How long does it take to drive to Bareges from the UK?

Browse our self-drive ski holidays which include your car channel crossing, or go choose accom-only and book your car ferry or tunnel later.

How long is the transfer from nearest France train station to Bareges?

The transfer time from alpine train stations are generally shorter than from airports, Call us for details of Bareges transfers.

Station Distance Transfer Time
Lourdes 37 km 37 minutes

Bareges Maps

Bareges piste map
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Regional map
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Town Map
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Going to Bareges under your own steam

For independant travel to France, compare accommodation only with Bareges self-drive packages which include Eurotunnel or ferry.

Accomm-Only & Self-Drive

See driving directions to and from Bareges in France.

Enter your start location and click "Get Directions" to view the route:

Bareges Ski Holiday Resources

Need help choose your Bareges ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!

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Similar Ski Resorts to Bareges in France


Every Sno holiday packaged with flights is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. All our suppliers are ATOL bonded, so your money is safe. In addition to this, payments for your holiday are held in trust, by NatWest bank and the Travel Trust, who insure every booking against supplier failure.

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