Luchon
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Slope InformationLuchon is an attractive Pyrenean spa town spectacularly situated at the end of a valley at 630m. The town has a wide range of facilities and makes an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding ski stations. There’s plenty to do here for non-skiers or if you just want a day off with bars, restaurants, a spa making good use of the hot springs, cinemas, a casino and an abundance of interesting shops. Luchon even attracts stars of the silver screen when it holds its annual film festival at the end of February.
Superbagneres is Luchon’s ski area and is accessed either by gondola from the town centre or by a 20 minute drive up the winding access road. The station itself is situated at 1800m on a sun-drenched mountain balcony surrounded by a breathtaking vista of the Haute Pyrenees including the glacial Pic d’Aneto, at 3404m the highest point of the range.
The 35km of pistes are divided up into several sectors with the Techous sector offering easy green and blue runs that will quickly build beginner’s confidence. Directly below the imposing and venerable Grand Hotel, the runs become a little steeper with some interesting red and blue descents through the trees to the Lac d’Arbesquens. From here an access chair takes the rider over a valley to the Cecire sector where the Hount-Estrete chairlift opens up some challenging high mountain terrain.
The top station at 2260m offers a number of steep black runs, including the Gouron which follows a steep and narrow line down a powder chute to the bottom of the chair. Intermediates will enjoy the long sweeping blue Marmottes run that provides an 810m vertical descent back to the lake at 1450m.
Overall, Superbagneres offers something for all levels of rider and is a great station for families and groups of differing abilities. With Luchon at it’s base and the surrounding resorts of Peyragudes and Le Mourtis there is plenty to fill an enjoyable week.
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