Winding ski trail in a snowy mountainous landscapeView of a winding ski trail in a snowy mountainous landscape. Two skiers are descending the trail under a clear blue sky. Snow-covered trees and mountains surround the trail, creating a picturesque setting.
©Two skiers enjoy a sunny day on the slopes.

Northern ambience at Beille

Northern immensity
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Beille, at an altitude of 1800 metres, is the leading Nordic ski area in the Pyrenees: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledging,Angaka and Petit Plateau activities. All the ingredients are there to make for the most wonderful day!

Getting there

Garden of Wonders

Here everything is white!

What’s the surprise? Mom smiles, without answering. I blow and it steams up the icy car window. The road from Beille climbs into a large forest. Mom shows me the valley below. It’s so small from up here. Quentin, my little brother, jumps onto the seat: snow! on the side of the road, then on the fir trees.

We arrive on a gigantic plateau. Dad stops the car in a very large parking lot. I’ve never seen so much snow. It’s awe-inspiring: the peaks, the fir trees, the mountain- everything is white, everywhere you look.

Ski slope with skiers and snow-covered treesA ski resort on a sunny day. Skiers are descending the snow-covered slopes, surrounded by snow-covered trees. In the background, there are buildings and ski lifts. The sky is clear and blue.
©A sunny day at the ski resort, with skiers enjoying the slopes.|STEPHANE MEURISSE
Two people snowshoeing walk in the snow in the mountainsTwo people equipped with snowshoes are walking in the snow in the mountains. They are wearing winter clothes and backpacks. The sky is clear and blue, with snow-covered trees in the background.
©A day of snowshoeing under a clear sky.|STEPHANE MEURISSE
Two children sledding in the snow with snow-covered mountains in the backgroundTwo children are sitting on red sleds, ready to slide down a snowy slope. One of the children is wearing a pink hat and black gloves, while the other is wearing a blue hat. In the background, there are snow-covered mountains under a clear blue sky.
©A day of joy and laughter in the snow.|Stéphane MEURISSE

    Dog sledding

    Like a musher

    Here’s my present! I’ve never seen so many dogs at once. Sled dogs, with beautiful hair and sparkling blue eyes. My favorite fur ball is “Inut”, the leader of the pack.

    Samuel introduces himself: he’s a musher, a dog-sled driver. First, he shows me how to prepare the sled. Then he takes us up to the sled for a ride in the Great North!

    The cold tickles my nose, I sneeze, and Samuel and I burst out laughing – what a great job he does!

    Sled pulled by dogs in a snowy landscapeA sled is being pulled by a team of dogs in a snowy landscape. Snow-covered mountains stretch out in the background under a clear blue sky. The sled is being driven by a person dressed in winter clothing.
    ©A team of dogs pulls a sled through a snowy mountainous landscape.|Aude CABALLERO
    Dog sled pulled by huskies in a snowy landscapeA dog sled is being pulled by several huskies in a snowy landscape. To the right, a small wooden cabin with a roof covered in snow. In the background, snow-covered mountains under a blue sky with a few clouds.
    ©An adventure in dog sledding through a snowy mountainous landscape.|STEPHANE MEURISSE
    A man guides a sled pulled by sled dogs on the snowA man dressed in winter clothing guides a sled pulled by a team of sled dogs across a snowy landscape. The sun shines brightly, creating a bright and lively atmosphere. The dogs appear to be in full action, pulling the sled through the snow.
    ©The man and the sled dogs enjoy a sunny day.|Aude CABALLERO
    White Samoyed puppy walking in the snowA young Samoyed puppy with thick white fur walks in the snow. Its fur is slightly ruffled by the wind, and it looks directly at the camera with a curious expression. The snowy landscape stretches out in the background, with footprints visible in the snow.
    ©A little Samoyed happily explores a snowy landscape.|Aude CABALLERO

    Tobogganing made easy

    Even Mum loves it

    “While Dad does his Nordic ski loop, Mom takes us there. What’s this? A mountain escalator? A mountain treadmill? You go down in a toboggan and come back up in a transparent tube, and it’s like you’re floating on snow.

    Mom’s happy, because she doesn’t have to pull the sled up to the top of the slopes anymore. We’ve made as many banked turns as we can! Our sled looks like a Formula 1 car – even Mum’s tried it! I’ve never seen her laugh so much.

    Three people sitting on red sleds in the snowThree people, including two children and an adult, are sitting on red sleds in the snow. They are wearing warm winter clothes and sunglasses. In the background, there is a snowy mountain and a wooden building. The sky is clear and blue.
    ©A day of sliding and shared laughter with family.|Stéphane MEURISSE
    Kids on skis on conveyor belt at a ski resortSeveral children in ski gear are on a conveyor belt at a ski resort. They are holding skis and snowboards and appear to be having fun. The conveyor belt is surrounded by snow and the sky is clear.
    ©Kids having fun on the conveyor belt at the ski resort.|Stéphane MEURISSE
    Two children sitting on red sleds in the snowTwo children are sitting on red sleds, ready to slide down a snowy slope. They are wearing colorful winter clothes and hats. In the background, there are snow-covered trees and mountains. The sky is clear and blue.
    ©Two children enjoy a sunny day sledding in the snow.|Stéphane MEURISSE

      Gourmet break

      I’m terribly hungry. Around the high-altitude restaurant, Le Croustet 1800, which serves good local produce, we all put down our coats because it was so nice in the sun. Dad tells us about his cross-country ski tour of the crests at Finestre. He really enjoyed it; he hadn’t skated in a while. He had the whole mountain to himself, while overlooking the surrounding peaks.

      To each his own

      Biathlon for kids, snowshoes for mom!

      Dad takes us with him to the biathlon initiation offered by the ski school. Ski, stop, aim. We all think we’re Martin Fourcade at the Olympics, so let’s go!

      Mom seems to be enjoying her own moment on snowshoes, and we’ve been waiting 30 minutes for her! Then we went to the Nordic village, where they were building igloos, just like at the North Pole! Mom told me it’s a yurt, a Scandinavian house.

      A biathlete in the prone shooting position on the snowA biathlete is lying on the snow in the prone shooting position, aiming with a precision rifle. Two other people in red ski attire are standing in the background, watching the scene. The sky is clear and blue, and the ground is covered with snow.
      ©A biathlete focuses to shoot at the target.|Aude CABALLERO
      Two people with snowshoes walking in a snowy forestTwo people equipped with snowshoes are walking in a snowy forest. The trees are covered with snow and the ground is covered with a thick layer of snow. The scene is calm and serene, with soft light filtering through the trees.
      ©A peaceful walk in the snowy forest.|Aude CABALLERO
      A snowy igloo with a heart on topA snowy igloo with a heart on top, located in a snowy mountainous landscape. The igloo is well-built with packed snow and the heart is also made of snow. The snowy mountains in the background add a picturesque touch to the scene.
      ©A snowy igloo with a heart on top, in a snowy mountainous landscape.|Aude CABALLERO

        Memories and sweet dreams

        Thanks Dad, thanks Mum

        Before we leave, we enjoy a nice hot chocolate and as we pass the store, Mum brings us back a souvenir of this unforgettable day, a stuffed sled dog. We named him petit-inut. Thanks Dad, thanks Mom, I’ve never laughed so much in the snow. Mom told me I’d be sure to sleep well on the way home, and that this Nordic day would live on in my dreams!

        Wooden cabin with a blue door under the snow and colorful flagsA wooden cabin with a blue door is situated in a snowy landscape. Colorful flags are hung above the cabin, and trees surround the scene. The night sky is filled with stars, creating a serene and magical atmosphere.
        ©An isolated cabin in the snow, lit by the stars and colorful flags.|STEPHANE MEURISSE
        A wooden cabin lit up at night in a snowy landscapeA wooden cabin with a lit door and window, surrounded by snow. The night sky is visible with stars. Snow-covered trees are in the background.
        ©An isolated wooden cabin in a snowy landscape, lit up at night.|STEPHANE MEURISSE

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          Everything for a beautiful day

          Living intensely

          Experiences in the Ariège Pyrenees
          Fountain with multiple water levels in a garden surrounded by vegetation and an old buildingA multi-tiered fountain is located in a garden surrounded by lush vegetation. An old building with arches and columns is visible in the background. Climbing plants partially cover the building, and flowers are planted in pots near the fountain.
          ©A peaceful garden with a fountain and lush plants.
          My anti-burn-out cure at Ussat-les-Bains
          Child dressed warmly playing in the snow with gloves and a scarfA child, dressed warmly in a jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf, is playing in the snow. The child appears joyful and is raising their arms in the air. In the background, there are ski slopes and ski lifts. The sky is clear and the snow is plentiful.
          ©A moment of pure joy in the middle of winter, a child plays in the fresh snow.
          Family vacations in the snow
          Mountain village with a church and houses surrounded by treesView of a mountain village with a central church and colorful houses surrounded by trees. The roofs of the buildings are of different colors and there is a large building in the background. The village is surrounded by greenery and mountains.
          ©A peaceful mountain village with a central church and colorful houses.|STEPHANEMEURISSE
          My spa treatment at Ax-Les-Thermes
          A platter with bread, wine, beer, and accompaniments in front of a fireplaceA wicker platter holds bread, a bottle of Hypocras wine, a bottle of MISTRAL beer, a jar of jam, and a wine glass. All of this is arranged in front of a lit fireplace, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
          ©A relaxing moment with local products in front of a fireplace.|Yannick RIOUT
          Immersion in the mountain spirit
          Person throwing snow in the mountains with snowy landscapesA person in winter clothing throws snow into the air, creating a cloud of flakes. The snowy mountainous landscape stretches out in the background under a clear blue sky. Snow-covered bushes are visible on the right side of the image.
          ©A moment of pure joy in a snowy landscape.|Maxime REY
          Snowshoeing in Chioula
          Two people backcountry skiing in a snowy landscapeTwo people equipped with skis and poles are moving up a snowy slope. They are surrounded by snow-covered trees and mountains under a clear blue sky. Ski tracks are visible in the snow.
          ©Two skiers enjoy a sunny day in the snowy mountains.|STEPHANEMEURISSE
          Skiing in the fir trees at Ax 3 Domaines
          Ski slope with skiers and beginners on conveyor beltsView of a ski slope with skiers descending the slope. Beginners are using conveyor belts to go up. The slope is surrounded by trees and snow-covered mountains. Buildings and vehicles are visible in the background.
          ©A sunny day on the ski slopes with skiers of all levels.
          Goulier, my favorite resort
          Relaxed woman in a bubbly hot tubA woman is lying in a hot tub with her eyes closed, surrounded by bubbles. She is wearing a black swimsuit and appears to be relaxing. The water is a light turquoise color.
          ©A woman enjoys a relaxing moment in a hot tub.
          My thermal water wellness day at Ax-les-Thermes
          Ariege's little extras
          The Ariege Pyrenees, your oxygen bubble!

          Looking for unspoilt nature, the great outdoors and white water?
          In winter, ski, snowboard, skating, snowshoeing, sledging, dog sledding, at Ax 3 Domaines, Beille, Ascou and le Chioula, Mijanés and Goulier...

          In summer, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding or canyoning...

          And all year round, enjoy the benefits of the thermal waters at Ax-les-Thermes, Ussat-les-Bains or the Bains du Couloubret.
          And don't miss the Grotte de Niaux and the Parc de la Préhistoire.

          Not forgetting the history of our mountains and their heritage, pastoralism and local produce!

          Book your next mountain vacation!