NEOUVIELLE SKI TOUR
Splendid skiing in the Pyrenees' 'lake district'.
READY TO SKI ?
The Néouvielle Nature Reserve was created in 1935, one of the first in France. The Reserve adjoins, and is managed by, the Pyrenees National Park, and protects a high mountain environment filled with granite peaks and lakes. The the area is protected by a high ridge on its northern frontier that results in a warm and dry micro-climate and is the reason many species are found at higher altitudes here than anywhere else. The name ‘Néouvielle’ means old snow ‘nèu vielha‘ in the local Occitan dialect, and refers to the many glaciers that previously clung to the 3000m peaks. This five day tour, with one night in an unguarded refuge, takes us around the area, and leaves time for a long off-piste descent from the famous Pic du Midi de Bigorre.
• 5-day tour around the lake filled Néouvielle Range
• 1 night in an unguarded refuge
• Exceptional scenery
• Excellent all round intermediate skiing
GRADE : D1 : A1 : F1
see our grade coding here
BUDGET
1395€pp / 1195€pp short week
This price includes :
• 6 days guided ski touring with a qualified UIAGM high mountain guide
• 3 nights accommodation in Hotel Les Templiers
(Hotel in double/twin room. Single supplement at the hotel 20€/night)
• 3 nights in guarded refuges and 1 night in an unguarded refuge
• All dinners & breakfasts, picnic lunches when in refuges.
Extras:
• Lift passes, hire gear (210€ for the week + 80€ for avalanche pack)
• Lunches on two days (bakery and shops close by, fridge in lounge of hotel to store food)
• Transfers from the airport to Lourdes are 15€ one-way on shuttle meeting your flight
BOOK NOW AT sian@pyrenees-mountains.com or +33(0)5 62 92 81 52
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Travel to either Lourdes train station or airport to connect with the shuttle or the SNCF bus service. Hotel Les Templiers is two minutes away from the Tourist Office and bus stop so only a short walk. Once installed in your rooms you will meet with your guide for a chat over pre-dinner drinks about the week, check your equipment and collect hire gear if necessary.
DAY 2
Ski in the Grand Tourmalet ski area before climbing up to Pas de la Crabe (2500m), crossing the Col de Barèges (2460m) to reach the comfortable Refuge de l’Oule at 1800m.
DAY 3
We climb the Soum de Montpelat (2474m), cross the Col d’Aumar and reach the Refuge d’Aumar-Aubert (2150m) which is unguarded. So here we really have a night out in the wilderness! We will carry food and equipment for this night.
DAY 4
The plans for today include climbing the Pic de Madamète (2650m) before a traverse (via a couple of passes) to the Refuge de la Glère at 2100m.
DAY 5
A big day today where we tackle the Turon du Néouvielle, at 3030m, with a return to the Refuge de la Glére, meaning we can head out with only a day pack (this day is missed on the short week trip).
DAY 6
Before our descent we will head up the Montarrouye at 2700m before a lovely descent into the village of Betpouey at 1000m. A comfortable night in Hotel Templiers in Luz awaits.
DAY 7
On our last day we’ll head up the famous Pic du Midi (2872m) in the cable car for the classic off-piste descent. We’ll explore the off-piste skiing possibilities around the Grand Tourmalet domain. A last night in Hotel Les Templiers (this day is missed on the short week trip).
DAY 8
Transfer to Lourdes airport or train station for your return transport home.