La Mongie / Barèges Overview

What’s the skiing like? The resort of La Mongie-Barèges (1800m) in the French Pyrenees offers great opportunities for both on and off-piste skiing. It is located in the centre of the Grand Tourmalet ski area - one of the largest ski areas in the Pyrenees with 120km of slopes. It has snowsure skiing up to 2877m on the Pic du Midi summit and there's a wide variety of skiing for all abiltiies.

La Mongie-Barèges has entered the big league for off-piste skiers. Freeriders have extensive opportunities all the way down from the Pic du Midi, with routes of varying difficulty (some very challenging, best to take a guide); Intermediates are spoilt for choice with an array of sunny, uncrowded pistes; Beginners will find suitable slopes next to La Mongie and wide open blue runs off the Col du Tourmalet. Neighbouring Bareges also offers plenty of gentle skiing on tree-lined slopes.

Best suited to? Intermediates and freeriders

What’s the resort like? La Mongie-Barèges is a twinned resort but the two villages are quite different in style: La Mongie is a purpose-built village with 1970s architecture (not to everyone's taste) and Barèges is a pretty, authentic village. A couple of the best apres-ski spots include Le Schuss and L'Igloo in La Mongie.

Off the slopes? The oberservatory at the Pic du Midi (2877m) offers awesome views of Catalonia and the Basque Country. There isn't a huge amount to do in the resort for non-skiers but just a 30-minute drive is Bagneres-de-Bigorre with the Aquensis spa, complete with heated pools, waterfalls, jets, wellness centre and gym.

Downside? Not much nightlife and the 1970s architecture of La Mongie can be a little stark.

Nearest airport(s): Pau Airport (1.5hrs), Toulouse (2.5hrs)