Just bought the book as planning to visit the French Pyrenees this year. What a disappointment. Over 750 pages of information on resorts around the world, with a number of smaller resorts getting several pages, but the whole of the French Pyrenees gets just ONE page.
 
I know it may not be the Alps, or Colorado, but there are reported to be 20 plus resorts in The Pyrenees and still only one page.
 
Andrew

If you look at our directory, you’ll find hundreds of excellent resorts that we simply can’t/don’t allocate full chapters to.
 
True, the Pyrenees does seem to have lost out somewhat - and I’d like to see more on them too, especially as DIY trips are growing in popularity.
 
But I guess the main problem has been one of overall popularity and a lack of UK packages available. The number of people using tour ops to help package their visits still outweighs the percentage travelling independently.
 
I also think that image plays an enormous part: most people think of Pyrenean ski areas as perhaps not keeping up with the Alps in terms of investment, marketing and advertising. Also, snow reliability, English-speaking etc..
 
This is definitely changing though, through better air and transfer links and online information.
 
We are revamping our online system here, to allow reader reports to be filed on "minor" resorts - so, please do report on your visit.
 

I agree that is a bit pointless. They might as well not have the page. How many resorts are there in the Pyrenees.

Actually, there are a lot of resorts - some of them a fair-size.  And many of those have invested recently in updating lift systems and developing accommodation. After last season’s decent snowfall, there seems to be a growing interest in the area. Take Formigal, for example: now with new flights and low-cost packages.

But while we may not have the space to develop many of the resorts in the book, our new site will allow for expansion. We’ve already done Barèges on the French side.

It looks like a good option. In the book it says it’s much cheaper

The pyrenees are great for a change of pace from the Alps,it is alot more relaxed,friendlier,cheaper and in my opinion nicer in many ways than the Alps .The resorts that I have been to La Mongie,Le Tourmalet,Gavernie are all great areas with good skiing to Formigal,Panticossa and Piau Engaly are next on my to do list for this year.The resorts are great for a couple of days and then to move on and ski the next one.The pass prices and the food costs are miles cheaper than the alps because the resorts are mainly catering for thier own as in the French and the Spanish so they dont ripp themselves off which is good for everyone else.Alot of people have said that it isnt very friendly but I just dont think many people speak English or any other language in the Pyrenees, but that again is down to the majority of skiers there being French but I dont find this a problem as it means you have to speak a little bit of french and that gets you engaging more with locals and not just expecting people to speak English.My advice would be to go and try something different you might just supprise yourself.

Hi nicehead

Yes, it was good to enjoy cheaper prices especially on the Spanish side. We have produced resort price indexes for the area this year (more of that in the next edition of the book!)

Hope you get to Formigal this winter - it definitely was better than I was expecting. And Panticosa is a little gem for a half-day or so. It has steeper runs, and excellent beginner slopes. What was a really pleasant surprise was that the gondola operators prevented a scrum and ushered people towards the cabin as it came around so A) no queue jumping and b) filling cabins when necessary. They even loaded your skis for you!  The slopes were policed too; amazing for a small, uncrowded area.

How did you find touring with respect to driving?  Seems best to do clusters of resorts together, rather than try and traverse the Pyrenees I think - with many trans-roads closed in winter.

Also, be aware with Formigal that the pass from the French side can close very quickly when it snows - so although Pau is really close, it can be really far if you need to detour.

Do report back if /when you go

Wendy