Cauterets
Cauterets has two main ski schools offering private or group lessons in skiing and snowboarding for adults and children from 3 years. Tuition is available in French, Spanish and English languages. There are also a few smaller independent ski schools, instructors and mountain guides working in Cauterets.
© Matthieu Pinaud
Cauterets takes pride in its facilities for beginners and rightly so. Although the Cirque du Lys ski area is small, it has a good snow record and what it lacks in extent is more than made up by quality. First timers benefit from two nursery slopes at 1730m and excellent moving carpet lifts, which are longer than you will find in most other resorts and with Perspex covers providing protection from the elements when needed.
The nursery slopes and ski schools are conveniently located at the top of the Gare du Lys gondola station, making it easy for parents to watch children in ski school until ready to progress beyond the nursery slopes. There are also lessons for more experienced skiers and guiding and instruction are available for ski touring and freeriding.
The smaller Pont d’Espagne ski area is reached by bus from the resort and has beginner slopes, cross-country skiing circuits and good snowshoeing opportunities.
Cauterets Ski Schools
ESF Ecole de Ski Cauterets
ESF Cauterets provide private or group lessons for all ages from 3 years. Tuition in downhill skiing and boarding, freeriding and freestyle in the Cirque du Lys ski area. They also offer panoramic tandem rides for non-skiers. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing lessons are at Pont d’Espagne where there is also a small nursery slope for children. ESF office in the town at 2 rue de la Raillère, 65110 Cauterets and in the Gare du Lys top gondola station at 1850m.
Tel: +33 (0) 5 62 92 58 06 / 16; Email: [email protected];
Web: https://www.ski-school-cauterets.co.uk
ESI Ecole de Ski Cauterets Esprit-Montagne
The ESI international ski school offers instruction in skiing, snowboarding, telemark, freeriding, freestyle and disability skiing. Individual and group lessons for adults and children from 3 years old. Ski instruction available in French, Spanish and English languages. ESI ski school office in the town at Place Foch, 65110 Cauterets and meeting point in the ski area at Gare du Lys gondola station.
Tel: +33 (0) 5 62 91 95 42; Email: [email protected];
Web: http://www.esprit-montagne.org
Ecole de Ski Christophe Jorly Sport Evasion
Small independent ski instructors specialising in private lessons and small groups (6 people maximum) in skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. Quality personalized education combining safety, good humor and progress. Experienced instructors, awarding of medals for mini group children’s packages. English and Spanish spoken as well as French. Address: 2-4 rue Richelieu, 65110 Cauterets;
Tel: +33 (0) 6 45 06 83 70 (mobile); Email: [email protected];
Web: http://surf.guethary.free.fr/ecole-ski-jorly/index.htm
Elan Nordique
Independent ski school specialising in cross-country skiing, biathlon and Nordic walking in the forested slopes at Pont d’Espagne, just a few kilometres from Cauterets. Address: 8B chemin des Artigaux, 65400 Lau-Balagnas;
Tel: +33 (0) 6 88 89 22 93 (mobile); Email: [email protected];
Web: https://elan-nordique.com
Cauterets Mountain Guides
Acumpanyat Bureau Montagne
Mountain guiding organisation that organise ski touring, ice climbing, snowshoeing, winter-walking and overnight stays at mountain refuges. Their night-time walks at Pont d’Espagne for star gazing and laser-guided astronomy lessons are particularly recommended.
Tel: +33 (0) 7 86 87 04 93; Email: [email protected];
Web: https://acumpanyat.com
Le Chene des Montagnes
Off-piste ski instructor and mountain guide – Jean Louis Lechene – available for individuals and groups. Skiing, snowboarding, ski touring, snowshoeing and ice climbing. Lessons from 2 hours upwards. Address: 8, rue de Verdun, 65110 Cauterets.
Tel: +33 (0) 6 88 71 90 77 (mobile); Email: [email protected]
Web: www.lechenedesmontagnes.com