Néouvielle Massif / Hautes-Pyrénées

Ski touring in the Néouvielle reserve

Réf : UKJSRB

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Ski touring in the Néouvielle reserve

In summary

Sports

Alpine skiing , Ski touring
Duration
3 days
Level
Confirmed

Levels

Alpine skiing

Ski touring

Beginner

For those who have never skied but would like to give it a try: ski instructors will teach you the precise movements, essential techniques, and the confidence needed to fully enjoy the activity, even as a beginner.

Intermediate

For those who have mastered the basics and are able to control their speed and change direction using the snowplough technique on gentle slopes, having already skied on green or blue runs.

Confirmed

For those looking to learn how to skid while controlling their speed—and who can already finish turns with parallel skis on gentle slopes and feel comfortable on blue runs—refine your technique to enhance your skiing enjoyment and explore new horizons on the slopes.

Advanced

For those comfortable pivoting parallel skis, capable of navigating various slopes, terrains, and snow conditions, and who have mastered red runs: the next challenge is to master all types of turns—including wide, sweeping turns—by synchronizing your movements with the skis' mechanical reactions.

Expert

For expert skiers, movements and techniques have been mastered. You are at ease on all types of terrain, from varied slopes to off-piste areas. Now, you aspire to push your own limits.

Beginner

For those who have never done ski touring or off-piste skiing but are comfortable skiing down red or black runs. You will ski for 3 to 4 hours a day. You must be capable of skinning uphill for a minimum of 2 to 3 hours, covering an elevation gain and loss of between 300m and 600m per day.

Intermediate

For those who have already skied off-piste using ski lifts. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day. Vertical gain can reach 800 m per day.

Confirmed

For those who occasionally go ski touring and off-piste skiing. You are capable of skiing down almost any terrain and ski for several consecutive days. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day, with vertical gains of up to 1,000 m per day.

Advanced

For regular ski tourers. You are capable of skiing down any type of snow on slopes of up to 40°. You frequently ski in powder. You have perfect control over your speed, sideslipping, and both uphill and downhill kick turns. You have prior experience with ski touring or with vertical gains exceeding 1,200m. You are capable of maintaining this level of activity over several consecutive days.

Expert

For regular ski tourers: You are capable of skiing down all types of snow on slopes exceeding 40°. You frequently ski in powder and have perfect control over your speed and sideslipping. You have experience with ski touring involving vertical gains of over 1,400m and have previously completed several consecutive days under these conditions.
Destination
Néouvielle Massif / Hautes-Pyrénées
Age
From the age of 18
CO₂-Emissions
18 kg CO2
Type of stay

This group trip is perfect for travelers who want to experience a sporting adventure with other enthusiasts and be guided.

Type of stay
In a group
Languages

English

Spanish

French

In a few words

A ski touring trip to discover the magnificent Néouvielle Nature Reserve ! While the reserve is very popular in summer, its remoteness makes it difficult to access in winter. You'll be exploring an incredibly wild and sparsely populated area ! This trip is designed for people who already have experience in ski touring. During your stay, you'll be far from everything, so you must be realistic about your abilities; in these remote locations, even the smallest problem can escalate.

Led by a guide, you will explore pristine environments , reach summits, and traverse mountain passes and forests. Depending on snow conditions, you will enjoy descending slopes with varying aspects.

The highlights

Isolated and wild area
Accommodation in staffed mountain huts
A small group trip

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Photos

Sport

Level

Alpine skiing

Confirmed

For those looking to learn how to skid while controlling their speed—and who can already finish turns with parallel skis on gentle slopes and feel comfortable on blue runs—refine your technique to enhance your skiing enjoyment and explore new horizons on the slopes.

The expert's opinion

This is a sports-oriented trip, so you need to be in good shape, especially since you will be in an isolated area and will have to carry your bags every day.

In figures

Ski touring

Average duration/day: 6h
Average daily elevation gain: 834 m
Average daily descent: 834 m
Maximum altitude: 2500 m

Management

During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.

Band : 1 supervisor for 4 to 6 people

Languages spoken:

English

Spanish

French

Guillaume

A high-mountain guide from Guillaume's team will lead this trip.

You are accompanied by a high mountain guide.

Learn more about supervision

Program

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Bastan Pass
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Maximum altitude 2500 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The first ascent is made using chairlifts, which saves a few meters of elevation gain but, more importantly, gets you to the Néouvielle Nature Reserve more quickly. You will begin your ski tour towards the Col de Bastan before returning to the Refuge de l'Oule.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Lac de l'Oule refuge.
Elevation gain 700m, 6 hours of ascent and descent
Day 1
The Heart of the Reserve
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Maximum altitude 2500 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Breakfast and departure for a day of ski touring.
This morning there's no chairlift; the first climb will be steep up to the Col d'Estoudou. If you're feeling energetic, you might then try to reach a small summit offering a 360° view of the reserve and its many lakes.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Orédon refuge
Elevation gain 900m, 6 hours of ascent and descent.
Day 2
A very wild side
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Maximum altitude 2500 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
From the Orédon refuge, you'll ascend towards the Aumar and Aubert lakes before continuing to the Aumar pass. A long traverse will then take you to Anglade lake, allowing you to descend to Oule lake. The ascent to the Portet pass will be by ski lift, and finally, a last descent on the Espiaube ski area will bring you back to the starting point.
Elevation gain 900m, 6 hours of ascent and descent.
Day 3

Note

The elevation gain and walking time remain an estimate that may change depending on the snow conditions, the pace of the participants, etc.

The partner agency and your guide reserve the right to modify this program for various reasons such as weather, or physical conditions, …

Accommodation

🏔️ Mountain refuge - Days 1 to 2

You will spend two nights in staffed mountain huts .

Access

Departure

Arreau

Day 1 : 08h00

End of stay

Arreau

Day 3 - 16h00

Around 4pm with a return to Arreau.

Go to the starting point

Access by train

Take the train toGare de Lannemezan

You can come by car or train to Lannemezan and then take the Lio bus to Arreau.

Access by car

Travel to the place of stay with parking available

Would you like to travel on other dates?

Create an alert and we'll notify you by email if new departures are added.

Price details

The price includes

Full board from dinner on Day 1 to picnic lunch on Day 3, in mountain huts
Supervision by a guide from the partner agency for the duration of the RAID
Pedestrian pass for days 1 and 3

The price does not include

Cancellation insurance

Options

You will be able to select these options when booking.

Return transfer: Arreau - Lannemezan train station : CHF20.13 / reservation
Outbound transfer: Lannemezan train station - Arreau : CHF20.13 / reservation
Ski touring rental : CHF164.66 / unit
Flex fare and insurance

Practical information

Specific formalities

Specifics

Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).

In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (

For example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return date. Consider visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.

ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.

Equipment

Equipment to bring

A safety pack including a shovel, a probe and an avalanche transceiver (avalanche victim detector).
A pair of touring skis with skins and crampons.
A 40/50L bag will be sufficient to carry your belongings
A down comforter
A water bottle (approximately 1.5L)
Sunscreen and sunglasses.
A headlamp
A small survival blanket
A knife and a pair of shoelaces.

Clothing to bring

Ski pants and jacket
Gloves
Cap
A change of clothes for evenings at the mountain huts

Decathlon Travel Partner

The Guillaume team

4.7/5 (75 reviews) • 39 stays

Our local partner is a mountain specialist, producing outdoor adventure and sports holidays in the Pyrenees. Located in Arreau, in the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées, since 2014, their team brings their passion for the mountains and the great outdoors in all its forms (snow, rocks, whitewater, wildlife, flora) and their recognized expertise to offer travelers unique, all-inclusive sports holidays. To maintain control over their services, our partner ensures they work with few intermediaries. Authenticity is their guiding principle! For nearly 10 years, they have been committed to offering eco-responsible trips while maintaining a personal touch. Our partner's team consists of two employees and around twenty guides of all kinds, all dedicated to sharing their values and ensuring their travelers' satisfaction.

Discover their team and their trips

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