Saint-Lary-Soulan
Encyclopedia
Saint-Lary-Soulan is a commune
in the Hautes-Pyrénées
department in south-western France
.
, next to the Le Néouvielle Nature Reserve and the Pyrenees National Park
and is a 20 minute drive to Spain
.
with over 100 km of downhill slopes. There are 53 pistes spread over three linked, and yet distinct sectors. Saint Lary 1700 is known as the Pla d'Adet sector and provides family skiing including snow kindergarten, toboggan run and a 'Kidpark', a snowpark aimed at young skiers aged between 6 and 12 years. Saint Lary 1900 is known as the Espiaube sector and is frequented by more experienced skiers. The showpiece ski run is the Mirabelle which descends 700 metres over its 3.6 km (2.2 mi) length. Saint Lary 2400 has a snowpark which doubles as a skate park in the summer, mogul and slalom stadiums and also provides access to Lake Oule for snow-shoeing.
and The Néouvielle Nature Reserve are close by.
frequently runs through Saint-Lary-Soulan, most recently in 2005 and is close to a number of mountain climbs used on the tour including the Pla d'Adet, Col d'Aspin
, Col de Peyresourde
and Col du Tourmalet
.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Hautes-Pyrénées
Hautes-Pyrénées
Hautes-Pyrénées is a department in southwestern France. It is part of the Midi-Pyrénées region.-History:...
department in south-western France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Geography
Saint-Lary is located in Hautes-Pyrénées 80 km south of the départements capital TarbesTarbes
Tarbes is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in south-western France.It is part of the historical region of Gascony. It is the second largest metropolitan area of Midi-Pyrénées, with 110,000 inhabitants....
, next to the Le Néouvielle Nature Reserve and the Pyrenees National Park
Pyrenees National Park
The Pyrénées National Park is a national park located within the French départements of Hautes-Pyrénées and Pyrénées-Atlantiques.Located along the border of France and Spain is a scenic and mountainous landscape offering a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, mountain climbing...
and is a 20 minute drive to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Skiing
Saint-Lary-Soulan is one of the largest ski resorts in the French PyreneesPyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
with over 100 km of downhill slopes. There are 53 pistes spread over three linked, and yet distinct sectors. Saint Lary 1700 is known as the Pla d'Adet sector and provides family skiing including snow kindergarten, toboggan run and a 'Kidpark', a snowpark aimed at young skiers aged between 6 and 12 years. Saint Lary 1900 is known as the Espiaube sector and is frequented by more experienced skiers. The showpiece ski run is the Mirabelle which descends 700 metres over its 3.6 km (2.2 mi) length. Saint Lary 2400 has a snowpark which doubles as a skate park in the summer, mogul and slalom stadiums and also provides access to Lake Oule for snow-shoeing.
Hiking
Saint-Lary-Soulan is also a popular base camp for walkers. The coast to coast GR10 footpath passes through Saint-Lary itself and both the Pyrenees National ParkPyrenees National Park
The Pyrénées National Park is a national park located within the French départements of Hautes-Pyrénées and Pyrénées-Atlantiques.Located along the border of France and Spain is a scenic and mountainous landscape offering a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, mountain climbing...
and The Néouvielle Nature Reserve are close by.
Cycling
The Tour de FranceTour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
frequently runs through Saint-Lary-Soulan, most recently in 2005 and is close to a number of mountain climbs used on the tour including the Pla d'Adet, Col d'Aspin
Col d'Aspin
Col d'Aspin is a high mountain pass in the Pyrenees in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées in France.It connects Sainte-Marie-de-Campan and Arreau.-Tour de France:...
, Col de Peyresourde
Col de Peyresourde
The Col de Peyresourde is a mountain pass in the central Pyrenees on the border of the department of Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées in France. It is situated on the D618 road between Bagnères de Luchon and Arreau.-Details of climb:...
and Col du Tourmalet
Col du Tourmalet
Col du Tourmalet is the highest road in the central Pyrenees in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées in France. Sainte-Marie-de-Campan is at the foot on the eastern side and the ski station La Mongie two-thirds of the way up. Luz-Saint-Sauveur is at the bottom of the western side.Tourmalet is also a...
.
External links