Cross-Country Skiing In The Eastern Pyrenees

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 13 reviews.

Jennifer Clegg

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: EASTERN PYRENEES

Written March 2012
We were based in a small hotel with a river running outside every window which our group of 19 just about took over. It is in a small French valley town with plenty of ski gear shops & refurbished spa baths perfect for stiff legs. The hoteliers are good-natured and good cooks. With James’ encouragement I tried out my Franglais on them, to which Alain responded with great imagination and generosity.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Once you get to the plateau you arrive in the territory of the brochure: quiet open spaces, ancient woodland, mountain peaks you can reach out and touch. Mac encouraged me to go fast free-skating on a level plateau that was untouched by other skiers - hard to tell you how memorable and exhilarating that was, there is something stupendous about the speed and rhythm and isolation.
The quiche and single carrot I had brought for lunch have never tasted so magnificent.
What did you think of your group leader?
James is charming, funny and I was absolutely confident he could teach me to ski better and keep me safe. He has good relationships with everybody around Ax, and had a real mission to help you enjoy the holiday - he was intensely interested in what everybody would do on their day off and full of suggestions about how to make your choice work for you. I went off to Toulouse with a new pal, by train. James' assistants were well chosen too, Mac & Gary: highly experienced, very very fit, and the team good at knitting folk together. James’ excellent skate-ski tutelage had me flowing up the hills by day 4 and sailing along on the flat blissfully. If you are reasonably fit, keen to learn and happy to have a beasting James is your man, but he also provides good-humoured encouragement to those who regard such exertion as a ridiculous way to spend a holiday
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be warned: if you are a relative novice skate-skier (I learned with Exodus just last year), each day starts with a fairly lengthy climb. James said I might need to trade down to langlauf skis but he and Mac encouraged and demonstrated and persevering worked.
Fiona Mackenzie

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: EASTERN PYRENEES

Written February 2012
we went-not expecting to have much snow to play with -but in reality, we had so much fresh snow that it made learning to ski much less sore & much more controlled-much to the relief of fellow participants. who were lovely & supportive to 2 novices.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
-15'c with added windchill,swirling icy sparkly stuff, hands absolutely freezing after lunch ,then getting warmer due to keeping going & the clouds burning off to show the most amazing scenery which was so different from the morning [ well- visible in the first place] & managing to keep up with the experienced skiers.

also sitting in the thermal spa pool outdoors when ice was forming on the ground & just gazing at the scenery .
What did you think of your group leader?
James reminded me a little of tigger-in his enthusiasm & excellence in tuition.
we[me & brendan] benefitted from the almost one on one tuition & were able to progress quickly to join the rest of the group.
james & cathy had confidence in us & let us explore our abilities. through the week we had a few 'master classes' & learned all sorts of advanced things like step turns & avoidance of crashing by managing to step out of the loipe seamlessly.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
a good book in case of airport closures due to snow,
ensure you take your swimmers to enjoy the spa in AX,
look for a way of keeping your camera battery warm
if the temperature drops below zero-camelbacks are pretty useless unless you can drink anti-freeze.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
the terminus hotel feeds vegetarians really well.
it's an unusual concept in france[or even on holiday] to eat well when not eating meat,fowl or fish. i felt included in the group & never hungry & we all know an army marches on its stomach.
Owen Davies

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: EASTERN PYRENEES

Written February 2012
A brilliant week in the Pyrenees - great snow conditions - two excellent ski areas - a comfortable and convenient hotel - and a thoughtful, enthusiastic and friendly leader
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
reaching the far end of the Beille ski area in fresh snow and bright sunshine - the best days ski-ing I have ever done - and i did my first Waymark trip in 1983
a local amateur string orchestra rehearsing Vivaldi's Four Seasons in the music room of the Casino - free and with a free drink courtesy of the mayor of Ax
the two cable cars to the top of the downhill ski runs above Belascre and dodging the down-hillers on the way to lunch at the Birds Nest restaurant
What did you think of your group leader?
James was absolutely excellent - very friendly and clearly very committed to the area - very knowledgable about the geography and the history of the place - loved his teach-in on the Cathar massacres. a very competent ski-er able to skate up and down the line to support the slower members of the group - endlessly enthusiastic and always taking the optimistic view - both of the next day's weather and of the distance left to ski
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
dont forget to take your swimming costume if you plan to go to the spa baths - the ones on sale are expensive and not flattering. do visit one of the town restaurants - Le P'tit Montagnard is good but so is the one that plays reggae (name escapes me) - and think about taking the cable cars up to the downhill area - the views from the top are great and the restaurant up there called i think La Huchette (The Birdsnest maybe) is fun
Is there anything else you would like to add?
we were reluctant to change from our regular destination - Norway - but were glad we did. The snow conditions were excellent - it was pretty good when we arrived but we were lucky enough to have a big snowfall on the second day and, after a day of sking in light snow, conditions were perfect. Ax is a pleasant little town and offers the usual range of food and fun that France does so well and though the food in the hotel was excellent it was a treat to have choices - not usually available in Norway from our experience
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