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Ski-Areas > Pyrénées > Pyrénées Orientales (66) > Cerdagne > Font-Romeu
Situated on the vast plateau of the Cerdagne, Font-Romeu is surrounded by towering peaks that rise to 2900 meters. The resort claims over 3000 hours of sunshine per year, making it the sunniest in France. It is part of the Neiges Catalanes ski domain.
The resort has 500 snow canons, 54km of downhill ski runs and 111 km of cross-country trails. The lift served area extends from 1800 metres to 2200 metres and there is a snowpark. It is also a real Pyrenean village with restaurants, bars, shops, a casino, cinema, ice-rink, swimming pool and sports center. The resort puts an emphasis on family skiing. There are natural hot-spring baths including an external hot pool surrounded by snow.
School holidays (Spanish and French) should be avoided if possible. The resort is very popular with Spanish visitors.
The Yellow Train was opened in 1910 to link the high-plains of Pyrénées-Orientales, Cerdagne and Capcir with Perpignan. It is the highest non-cog railway in France and uses third rail electrification similar to the system used in the British Southern Region. The power comes from a series of private hydro-electric plants situated along the line (SHEM), in particular the lac des Bouillouses dam.
On leaving Villefranche-de-Conflent and the main SNCF network the Yellow Train climbs through the Têt gorges to Mont-Louis it then crosses the col de la Perche before entering Cerdagne. The line then passes through Font-Romeu and Bolquere-Pyrenees-2000 before terminating at Latour-de-Carol where it links to the Paris-Toulouse-Barcelone line. In total it covers 62km with 19 tunnels and 2 viaducts.
The trains have a unique braking system using electrical resistance with the heat dissipated by large air cooled radiators situated under the wagons. The system has proved extremely reliable. The Yellow Train brought the first winter tourists including skiers to Font-Romeu in 1910.
The off piste is strictly limited with just 500 vertical meters separating the top from bottom of the resorts. The most interesting slopes are on the north sector of the resort with steep treelined runs and views on the Carlit (2921 meters) and The Puigmal (2910 meters) at the head of the valley.
Nearest Airport(s): Perpignan Rivesaltes 95km, Toulouse Blagnac 185 km
Road: 80 km to Barcelone (1h30) via the tunnel de Cadi, 120 km to Carcassonne (RN 118) by the Gorges de l'Aude
Bus transfers to a number of destinations with http://www.montagne-transport.com
Rail: SNCF Font-Romeu Odeillo at 3km from the town center. Bus transfers during the ski season.
The Mouli del Riu http://www.moulidelriu.com is based in the village of Saint Pierre Dels Forcats, only 20minutes from Font-Romeu and provides comfortable, spacious accommodation and good food in a relaxed atmosphere. Altitude Adventure holidays http://www.altitudeadventure.com are based in the village of Saint Pierre dels Forcats offering all inclusive wintersport holidays exploring the Neiges Catalanes ski domain.
Tell readers about any good restaurants and bars in the resort
The duty free shopping area of Andorre la vieille is just 70km by road.
Only include guides and instructors who cater for off-piste or backcountry. Please specify whether they take snowboarders.
Lift Passes online: www.altiservice.com
email: office@font-romeu.fr
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Category: Ski Areas
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