CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: EASTERN PYRENEES

8 days at - including flights
Tripcode: CXX

Countries Visited: France

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 10 reviews.

Brendan Brodie

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: EASTERN PYRENEES

Written January 2012
A week of great cross country from AX les THERMES (France) with Marmot Tours/ Exodus. As a total beginner I was very impressed at the attention to detail and great teaching and leader skills of James Thomson of Marmott. His input (and the snow) made the trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
After a mornings training we were up and running and out on the tracks without too much difficulty.
Trailing at the back of a group aged 20 to 30 years my senior gives me a lot of hope for the future and good times ahead.

What did you think of your group leader?
James Thomson is a superb leader. He is considerate, flexible and pays incredible attention to detail. He offers choicce, allows everyone in the mixed group to ski to their own ability, always available for a mini-master class or a quick top tip. He works very hard to ensure everyone can get the most from the trip and organised an excellent accommodation and food package. Marmott set their aims high and then surpass them. Skiiers are not pushed into long treks against there will, there was always a more modest alternative available. I was "warned" by fellow skiiers on the trip not to expect this high a standard of tuition and trip delivery from other non Marmot/Exodus companies - it just doesn't happen said several people who had been on many trips with different companies.The "door-to-door" transfer services were particularly appreciated - during this snowbound period of severe weather warnings James was continually obtaining updates to make our travel plans a success.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The social company on this trip was great, good mix of people and abilities. I learned from everyone there. Book this trip to AX les THERMES, Pyrenees, if you are a beginner or intermediate, it's a must. Don't forget to offset your travel carbon emmissions online, skiing is fun but with planes, piste equipment and a fair amount of travelling in a minibus involved - potentially hazardous to the environment.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Hotel was nice, but definately 2 star. Food was locally sourced, "happy food" and wine was organic. Hotel staff and owners were great, very attentive and resolved any issues promptly without fuss. Lighting in room a bit low.
Philip ("Pip") Bishop

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN THE EASTERN PYRENEES

Written February 2011
Ancient, unfit but needed skills well implanted by previous trips with Exodus/Waymark, so I'm looking forward to my next Waymark trip - next week.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Discovering that my snowplough could stand up to the considerable demands made on it
Finding that I could spend half the afternoon in the sun with a can of lemonade watching the antics of the childtren at (Ski) school.
What did you think of your group leader?
Wow! He could look after the three or more subgroups looking for snow in various places, and leave everyone feeling they had enough support
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
There may be better ways of making the journey from wherever you live than Exodus can arrange.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I bet there was more snow in Norway!
Katrina Katrina

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN THE EASTERN PYRENEES

Written January 2011
This is a great holiday package. It is very good value for money. The hotel is very comfortable and the evening meals are superb. The region is very lovely with many activities. The spa in the village is great to visit after a day of skiing!
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What did you think of your group leader?
James, our group leader, was fantastic. We were unfortunate to arrive in the Pyrenees for a week of cross-country skiing when there was a very unseasonal lack of decent snow. Luckily for us, James was able to work with the poor snow conditions and provided us with additional lessons in the different types of cross-country skiing. On the days when it was just impossible to ski, he arranged for day trips to nearby villages to look at ancient rock art and also took the group on some fantastic hikes across the snow-less mountains. He made a 'bad' (no snow) situation enjoyable. It wasn't quite the holiday we had planned, but with thanks to James and his side-kick Allan, we had a super time. If you are going to be stuck somewhere without snow, Ax-les-Thermes is a good spot for that, with an abundance of other activities.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I highly recommend Exodus holidays! Good value for money and the leaders are well-prepared to deal with all eventualities!
Janet Neve

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN THE EASTERN PYRENEES

Written January 2011
Generally enjoyable holiday though lack of snow meant only one ski station was open.By the end of the week I really felt that I had "done" Beille and felt a bit disappointed about not being able to visit any other places. Of course this was just "one of those things" and was nobodies fault
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Lovely scenery and sun and blue sky nearly every day

What did you think of your group leader?
James was a great leader who obviously loved the area and loved his work. He was very good at giving us "options" through the day so that the more experienced skiers could improve their skills while those of us who were flagging could retire to the cafe for coffee and cake.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As I had come by train (which I found very easy) I had an extra day at the end.I visited Foix which was one of the suggested free day options on the dossier. I have to say that I wouldn't recommend it-at least not on a cold Sunday in winter. Everything was shut,even the cafes though i did eventually find somewhere to eat. The chateau was ok. I think that on a summers day it would probably have been a pleasant place to visit as it was quite picturesque
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hotel was very cofortable and homely. The rooms all overlooked the little river and woodland behind.The rooms were spacious and warm. Alain and Elizabeth were very friendly and helpful and the evening meals were delicious (and large!)
The Thermal baths are definitely worth a visit (or two) though I would avoid the weekends as horribly busy
Shmuel Anderman

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN THE EASTERN PYRENEES

Written March 2010
Very good choice of place for cross country skiing! A small french hotel with warm accueil. Excellent food. Everything was well planned and done. Our instructor - leader and his wife -Cathy - very nice couple that helped everyone
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What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent and well done job !!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try this trip !
Rowland Taylor

XC in EASTERN PYRENEES

Written February 2010
A great trip the skiing is suprisingly varied (I'm more used to the alps) although if you like inn to inn valley bottom skiing tirolean style you might be dissapointed, however the views on a clear day are worth it.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I finished fitter at the end than I was at the beginning.
What did you think of your group leader?
The tours aren't lead as such as its a mixed ability trip, you don't have too keep up if you don't want to, however James always seems to pop up to direct you along the route, he must be traveling at least 5 times the distance of everyone else at three times the speed, so his skiing ability is not in question. At the beginning he stops frequently to allow people to catch up and fills the time with handy tips and demos.
At skiing he's a master but a group of individuals who dont know each other or the town could probably do with a bit more prodding on the night off when you have to eat out, he should have a default suggestion to offer and rope people in more positively.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get fit first, for various reasons my normal walking/cycling fitness routine had been disrupted the year before the holiday and I had not skiied XC for 5 years so I didn't get the best from the first half of the week. Given the terrain available you always start the day with an up.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hotel was very clean, the rooms, well roomey and comfortable, the staff made you feel very welcome.
Alan Walker

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN THE EASTERN PYRENEES

Written March 2009
In contrast to reviews from last year we almost had too much snow. Mid-week snow was falling at 10cm an hour. This meant that half a metre of snow had fallen while we were skiing, and the mini-buses had to be dug out. Our group consisted of 15 people of a wide range of standards, but we were all well catered for by James, ably assisted by Nathan.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The last day was a perfect skiing day, with lots of sun and snow. We skiied at Chioulla where the run to Prades was opened for the first time in three years and we were amongst the first to ski it.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent. On this holiday, James was assisted by Nathan. Our group of 15 included beginners through to grade 3 skiers. All were well looked after by James's flexible approach to leading.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
On the rest day I went downhill skiing at Bonascre. You need your passport or some similar ID to hire downhill skis. If you are over 60 you can also get a discount on the lift pass, but you need to hang on to your passport to prove it. I also took out the assurance with the lift pass at 2 Euro 50. Past experience of having to produce a credit card to get someone rescued from the piste in France means I always get this.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
James and Nathan also had to cope with the varying conditions that started perfect, but were followed by a day of winds that closed the top, exposed tracks. This was followed by the heavy snow that meant tracks were filling in as soon as they were cut. The final 2 days had ideal weather, but the track cutters had their work cut out to recover after the heavy snowfall. James kept in touch with the people cutting these tracks to always make the most of what was available. Often we were the first to use a track after it had been opened.