24.7°C on January 28.
A sad record than that recorded at Ascou Lavail, in Ariège, at 1100 meters above sea level.
The Pic du Midi de Bigorre in the Hautes-Pyrénées, which peaks at 2,880 meters, also suffered from this unusual heat with seven consecutive days without frost, which had never happened since 1881, the date of the first records at the 'observatory.
Fires in January in areas usually covered in snow at this time of year.
Snow conditions worthy of the end of the season.
But the winter sports season is still long.
While waiting for the expected return of the snowflakes, at best and at altitude, just before the start of the winter holidays on February 10, the resorts are redoubling their efforts to welcome winter visitors in the best possible conditions.
On February 3, here is what the situation is.
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Saint Lary Soulan (1700 m - 2515 m, Hautes-Pyrénées)
Thanks to the efforts of the slope maintenance team, 60% of the ski area of the largest resort in the French Pyrenees is open.
Rental companies are ready to take out rental bikes if the situation deteriorates.
The hiking trails are passable.
A request was made to the department to reopen roads that are normally closed, such as the one leading to Lake Oule.
The tourist office plans numerous activities, on the snow front at Pla d'Adet, but also in case of rain in rooms and gymnasiums with animal track workshops or musical workshops.
Without forgetting the recently expanded balneotherapy center which has numerous pools and fun activities.
Read alsoSaint-Lary-Soulan, panoramic and epicurean skiing in the Pyrenees
La Pierre Saint Martin (1527 m - 2153 m, Pyrénées Atlantiques)
Due to its proximity to the ocean, 83 kilometers as the crow flies, the resort can experience significant snowfall when a large depression hits the Basque coast but also experience high temperatures in the event of Föhn , the south wind.
Today, its ski area is 15% open, according to the website n-py.com.
Priority is given to the beginner area in order to satisfy as many people as possible.
Every night between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m., the technical staff does a lot of grooming work to maintain the little snow that remains.
“We reopened the Arlass chairlift last weekend to allow pedestrians to access hiking trails and a beautiful panorama
,” says Jean-François Mottes, director of the resort.
“For the February holidays, plan B would be to bring back activities such as sled tubbing, mini golf, fat bike rides, cani'rando with sled dogs and rifle shooting,”
adds he.
Hoping that by then, the snow will be back and temperatures will return to seasonal norms.
Gourette (1350 m - 2450 m, Pyrénées Atlantiques)
In the favorite resort of the Basques, the ski area is operating at 25% with 10 slopes open out of 37. No question of letting yourself be discouraged.
Aurélie Cardet, director of the Iskö chalets, has not yet recorded any cancellations for the February holidays.
But some requests for postponement reached him.
“People are a little worried but there is still time before the holidays, a good snowfall can turn things around.”
Activity providers like Aventure Nordique know how to be reassuring.
“
We explain to customers that even without a lot of snow we can offer them a great vacation with original activities such as spending a night in a tepee or enjoying a Nordic bath with a breathtaking panorama.”
Val d'Azun (1350 m - 1600 m, Hautes Pyrénées)
Located between the Soulor and Couraduque passes, 25 km from Lourdes, Val d'Azun is the largest Nordic area in the Hautes-Pyrénées with around a hundred kilometers of cross-country ski trails and a beginner's area.
This winter, Val d'Azun was only able to open its ski area for one week at the beginning of January.
Despite everything, the station welcomes a lot of people.
“We have been thinking about the aftermath of the snow for fifteen years
,” recontextualizes Julien Moreau, the station manager.
“I can switch the station from winter to summer and back in a matter of hours.
I replace the cross-country skiing markings with hiking markings in two steps, three movements.
We offer activities such as ziplining, optical biathlon where participants run instead of sliding on their skis, a life-size game board on the resort's slopes, we are bringing out E-MTBs and E-scooters...",
lists -he.
“As you can see, there is no shortage of activities!”