Barèges Information

Apres-ski

Although not a destination for wild après ski, Bareges does have several fun and friendly bars where you can have as lively a night as you wish to make it. These establishments are dotted along the main Rue Ramond, which leads through the village. Among these, Pub l'Oncet (tel: +33 562 926 780) is a resort institution adored by locals and visitors alike.

Over at La Mongie the Tapas Bar Le Planchot (tel: +33 952 360 431) is a popular choice for both drinks and early evening snacks.

For something a little different come nightfall, there's a weekly ski school-led torchlit descent back down from the slopes along wooded trails to the village.

Eating out

There are around a dozen places to eat in Barèges, most serving traditional French and Pyrenean cuisine. This focus on local cuisine is typified by La Laquette (tel: +33 562 926 861; www.lalaquette.com), a bustling place with a lovely terrace that serves up good baguettes and meals that showcase the best of local ingredients.

For a romantic night out or a special occasion, snuggle in front of the fireplace at La Coquelles (tel: +33 562 926 815). Built in an old barn at the base of the slopes, it's a good choice for authentic, local cuisine to gourmet standard – a regional version of raclette with three meats and three cheeses is especially popular here.

Away from French fare, B'Armary (tel: +33 562 911 845) on the main street is a bright and popular snack bar and pizzeria open until 0200 during high season.

Over on the La Mongie side, The Schuss (tel: +33 562 919 010) is the main venue serving cheesy mountain specialities such as raclette and fondues.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

The main activity around the resort, when you're not on the slopes, is indulging in a bit of spa culture. The CIELéO spa in Barèges, spread over three levels, includes treatments where participants can soak in either chocolate or mud baths, while admiring the magnificent panorama over the valley. There's also a relaxation area beneath its stunning glass dome that offers a thermal water pool and a steam bath.

Keeping on the healing water theme, trips to nearby Lourdes with its world famous healing waters and grotto – where local peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous saw her sacred vision more than 150 years ago – is less than an hour away.

Back on the snow, there's 14km (9 miles) of marked routes available for snowshoeing. Alternatively, if you're in a less exuberant mood, you can try your hand at dog-sledding, snowmobiling or riding along in a piste basher, to watch the work they do each evening.

Family fun

A friendly and welcoming resort, Barèges is usually a good choice for families skiing with kids.

Parents requiring childcare or ski school tuition for their little ones are blessed with the option of either non-skiing care (for children aged three to six) or ski nurseries (for children aged three to eight) run by two of the larger ski schools. These offer lessons in line with the French national testing system.

Family friendly activities include the chance to enjoy a 3km (1.8 mile) toboggan ride from the Col du Tourmalet in the evening, taking the chairlift up. Torchlight descents of Col du Tourmalet for all the family are also available.

Retail therapy

There's a small range of shops in Barèges suitable for most holiday needs, from the essentials to gifts and souvenirs. In the former category, there are several local boulangeries, a butcher, a mini supermarket, newsagents and a chemist. In the latter, L'Ourson (tel: +33 562 921 999) is a good choice for unique items to take home. For ski and snowboarding gear and accessories, head to the well-stocked Intersport (tel: +33 562 926 500).

Splashing out

To make the off-piste Pic du Midi skiing experience even more special, it's possible to spend the evening before your descent stargazing in the observatory and sleeping in a double or single private room. Come morning, have breakfast at sunrise and make the first tracks down the mountain accompanied by stunning views. Reservations should be made well in advance as places are limited to 27 a night (tel: +33 5 6256 7000; www.picdumidi.com)

Hotels

While many French ski resorts are known for having mainly apartment-style accommodation, Barèges was a holiday destination before it became a mecca for snow sports fans; so it already had a good selection of budget and mid-range family-run hotels. It has, however, benefited from the building boom of the past decade or so and therefore a few apartments are now also on offer.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap