PHOTOS: Snow is back in the French Pyrenees
Dustings of snow covered caps at 1,800m above sea level, with higher peaks covered fully in white
It is the first snowfall of the 2024 - 2025 winter in the mountain range, but ski slopes are not opening just yet
TMP - An Instant of Time / Shutterstock
A flurry of snow fell in the Pyrénées over the weekend, covering peaks across the chain for the first time this autumn/winter season.
It is welcome news to families travelling to the area for the Toussaint school holidays (which began on Saturday October 19), although ski season has not yet begun.
Read more: Calendar: French school holidays for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026
The snow was seen on the mountain’s higher peaks, notably the pic du Midi de Bigorre, pic du Midi d'Ossau and the col du Tourmalet.
It was first spotted on the pic du Midi de Bigorre (nearly 3,000 metres above sea level) on Friday (October 18), before progressively covering other peaks throughout the weekend.
The lac d'Orédon area (around 1,800 metres) saw peaks around the area covered with a dusting of snow.
Impressive photos from across the peaks can be seen below:
Too soon for skiing
Despite the snow, it is still too soon for the skiing season to begin.
Warmer than average temperatures – up to 4C higher than seasonal norms – means much of the snow is quickly set to melt this week, and strong winds are still in place in part of the mountain chain.
Read more: Weather in France October 21 - 25: Forecast by area this week
Currently, ski stations are not set to open until the end of November, in both the Pyrénées and Alpine areas.
Read more: 2024-25 dates for ski slopes to open in French Alps and Pyrenees
