Piau-Engaly, the highest of the resorts in the French Pyrenees opened this weekend. Piau is a traditional earlier opener but the good snow, 45cm in resort mean that 12 out of 20 lifts were open along with 60% of the pistes.
Cauterets et Les Angles were also able to partly open. Cold weather has meant that snow canons have been able to operate. A further 8 million € will be invested in snowmaking by the resorts this year with 11.4 million € being spent on lifts. Hi-speed quad chairlifts have been installed at St Lary and the Tourmalet. There is also a project to replace the old bubble lift from Ax les Thermes.