Good news for skiers in south of France as four resorts are open

The late opening of four family-oriented ski stations in the south of France will widen holiday plans for skiers – and spark relief for resort owners.

All four resorts are now open as of Sunday (February 2) - it is rare for them to be open at the same time. 

They are lauded by local media for their affordable rates and easy-to-access location for those living in the south, as well as for their family focus. 

The resorts, all in the Occitanie region, are at medium altitudes, meaning they have been more impacted by warmer temperatures than other higher-altitude neighbours in the Pyrénées mountain range.

Those with children may have one eye on the resorts for the upcoming half-term which begins on February 15 in Occitanie but as early as February 8 elsewhere. 

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However, some of the resorts may only be open for a limited period of time as reduced snowfall could see them closed again.

The stations are as followed: 

La station de Laguiole 

This station was previously facing a closure crisis until some 60 volunteers created an association to keep it running. 

Based in northern Aveyron it has benefited from snowfall in recent weeks to top up its peaks and offers both downhill skiing and cross-country skiing alongside tobogganing and sledding. 

As its name suggests, it is close to the commune of Laguiole, famed for its knife production.

Read more: French village sees its special knife label status rejected

La station de Brameloup

Located close to Laguiole is Brameloup, another station threatened by a lack of snow. 

At an altitude of 1,385 metres, the station is often without adequate snowfall to offer skiing on its pistes. 

However, even at times when there is not enough snow to equip skis, the station offers tobogganing, sledding, and dog sledding. 

La station d’Hautacam

Situated higher than Brameloup (at an altitude of 1,525 metres), Hautacam has 20 pistes and seven ski lifts at its disposal. 

The Hautes-Pyrénées resort saw 35cm of snow cover its surfaces at the end of January, keeping many of these pistes available for use. 

When there is not enough snowfall however, skiers can use a synthetic slope and other ‘snow-free’ activities including zip-lining on bicycles and all-terrain electric scooters to explore the resort. 

La station Alti Aigoual

This station in the Cévennes mountains has been struggling to stay open, however last weekend four green pistes and a beginner’s section were available for use given ample snowfall in the region. 

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