Twenty kilometres from the Spanish border in the Midi-Pyrénées province, Saint-Lary-Soulan ski resort is a favourite for both French and Spanish skiers with its superb 26 intermediate runs and its beautiful setting. There are 52 runs in all, as well as great cross-country skiing and sunset skiing.

Saint-Lary village provides an ideal base in winter for snow sports enthusiasts, with its up-to-date facilities and good selection of quality accommodations, totalling 23,000 beds. Saint-Lary village is a charming Pyrénéan town full of traditional architecture and good shopping opportunities.

Saint-Lary-Soulan’s 52 pisted runs are divided into 15 per cent beginner slopes; 50 per cent for intermediates; 23 per cent suited to advanced skiers; and 12 per cent for expert skiers. Thirty-two ski lifts can lift up to 26,500 skiers per hour. There are two cross-country trails, the mountain lake circuit, and the three kilometre long mountain trail. Saint-Lary-Soulan also has a snowboard park.

Other winter activities and facilities include: snowboarding; snowshoeing; ice skating; hiking; mountaineering; and an omni sports gymnasium among other activities. Après-ski in Saint-Lary-Soulan is a time for eating and making merry and there are fine restaurants and cosy traditional pubs, and bars.

The skiing is best in February, in the high season, when the slopes are open until 18:30. Cheaper rates can be had leading up to the Christmas holidays, after the New Year celebrations, and towards the end of the season.

The most practical way to get to Saint-Lary-Soulan ski resort is to fly to either Tarbes, or Toulouse, airport and take a train/ bus combination from both cities respectively. Hiring a car will save a lot of time and connections.