Luz Ardiden ski resort is geared to families and children of all ages and is a charming area in its natural wood and rock setting. Situated in the Pyrénées, not far from Spain, Luz Ardiden has 33 pisted runs for skiers of all abilities and also boasts superb cross-country trails and excellent children’s/beginners’ ski schools.

Luz-Saint-Sauveur resort village is located at a heady altitude of 1,700m and is a charming and laid-back hamlet. There is a good choice of places to stay and a number of excellent restaurants.

The 33 pisted slopes are separated into 12 per cent beginner runs; 30 per cent suitable for intermediate skiers; 46 per cent, intermediate-advanced; and 12 per cent for expert skiers. There are 19 lifts able to transport 14,000 skiers per hour. In addition, Luz Ardiden has 15kms of cross-country trails, five kilometres of which are pre-skied.

Other winter activities and facilities include: snowboarding; hiking trails; a luge; mono-skiing; snowshoeing; ice skating and other ice sports. In addition, there is paragliding; covered tennis courts; a swimming pool; and a fitness suite. There are three bars in Luz-Saint-Sauveur as well as several fine restaurants and a cinema.

The best snow conditions generally run from February to mid-March in the November –April ski season, with cheaper rates offered at the beginning and end of the season, and in mid-January.

The gateway airport is Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes Airport and buses and shuttles go to nearby Lourdes train station, from where SNCF shuttles go onto Luz-Saint-Sauveur several times a day. Many travellers prefer to hire a car from the airport.