Pyreneestrip
Gourette
Photo: France64160 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Alpine skiingFrance

Gourette

Vallée d'Ossau (Eaux-Bonnes), Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Gourette is regarded as the oldest ski resort in the Pyrenees: Henri Sallenave was skiing here as early as 1903, and in 1908 the first international ski competition in the Pyrenees was held here. The resort sits in a dramatic cirque below Pic de Ger (2,613 m) and has a vertical drop of over 1,000 m, unusually large for the Pyrenees. Its north-facing aspect and proximity to the Atlantic often bring generous amounts of snow. Nearly half the pistes are red or black, but the beginners' area on the Bézou plateau was renewed in 2024.

Alpine skiing

Height
1,350–2,450 m
Pistes
42 km
Runs
811173
Lifts
14
Season
early December–late March (planned 5 Dec 2026–28 Mar 2027)
Lift pass
€45 adult/day, €39.50 child/day (2026/27, standard price)
Level
all levels, plenty for intermediate and advanced skiers
Snowmaking
Snow cannons on approx. 14 km of pistes
Snow park
Three freestyle areas: CintoPark (advanced), RailPark and KidsPark
Cross-country skiing
Small cross-country area at Bézou, reached by gondola

Highlights

  • Over 1,000 m vertical drop from Pène Blanque (2,450 m)
  • Secured freeride zones
  • Cotch sector completely renovated in 2025
  • Col d'Aubisque and Tour de France history right next door

Getting here

Flights
Pau (PUF) approx. 60 km, approx. 1 h 05 min · Lourdes-Tarbes (LDE) approx. 75 km, approx. 1 h 20 min · Biarritz (BIQ) approx. 160 km, approx. 2 h
Train
Pau (TGV), then regional bus via Laruns to Gourette
Bus
Regional buses (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) Pau–Laruns–Gourette; ski bus Pau–Gourette (approx. €36 return incl. lift pass) and from Bayonne and San Sebastián at weekends and during school holidays
Car
A64 to Pau, N134 to Laruns and then the D918 via Eaux-Bonnes. Winter tyres or chains/snow socks in the car are compulsory 1 Nov–31 March. Large free car park du Ley below the village with a free gondola up (under 3 min); paid parking in the centre. The Col d'Aubisque is closed in winter

Accommodation

Accommodation
Compact resort village with résidences and flats (including Résidence du Valentin), a few hotels and chalets; very close to the pistes
Places to stay nearby
Eaux-Bonnes (approx. 8 km, spa town), Laruns (approx. 13 km, approx. 20 min) with the Balnéo spa
TipsTake the free gondola from the du Ley car park instead of hunting for a space in the village. Booking in advance at n-py.com gets you a discount, especially on multi-day passes. A spa visit in Laruns makes a good combination.
Open in the interactive mapDirectionsPlaces to stay nearbyThings to do Affiliate link

42.9570° N, 0.3321° W

Nearby