Les Angles is the highest village in the Capcir Plateau (which is in turn, Europe’s highest cultivated plain). You’ll find it up on the hillside of Mont Llaret in the Eastern Pyrenees – Andorra to the west, the French cities of Toulouse to the north and Perpignan to the east, with Barcelona to the south. It’s not your usual ski resort location, but it’s one that results in a fabulous mix of cultures.
The village first appeared in the history books in 966, and the old streets from Place du Coq d’Or represent a typical Pyrenean settlement. New builds have cropped up on the outskirts, with ski lifts departing from all across the resort, keeping queues minimal.
Les Angles’ closest airport is Perpignan, about an hour and a half’s drive away. The nearest train station is Mont Louis La Cabanasse, which you can reach the resort from in around 20 minutes.
The ski resort holds the Famille Plus label, recognising its excellent offerings for those travelling with children.
Location: Catalan Pyrenees
Established: 1964
Open: December - April
Downhill: 55km
View our detailed Les Angles snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Les Angles snow history.
Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
Perpignan Airport (PGF) | 93km, 1h30 |
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Top Altitude: | 2400m |
Bottom Altitude: | 1600m |
Resort Altitude: | 1650m |
Longest run: | 2.6km |
Slope Orientation: | N S |
Vertical Drop: | 800m |
Skiable Vertical: | |
Night Skiing: | Yes |
Glacier: | No |
Downhill Runs: | 55km |
Beginner slopes: | 44% |
Intermediate: | 49% |
Advanced slopes: | 7% |
Lift Pass Price: | €190 (adult 6 day) |
Nearby resorts: Pas de la Casa |
Separated from the main ski area and within walking distance of the village, Bas de Station has a magic carpet and children’s lift leading to a forgiving green run. From here, the Les Pèlerins cable car and Les Jassettes chair provide access to the rest of the ski area.
Up at 2100m, the Bigorre plateau acts as the centre of the ski area, home to the snowpark and connected to the other sectors.
South facing Pla del Mir area has some brilliant runs for beginners – we like the Collade, Marmotte and Faon pistes – and also good options for red run skiers like Courbas and Delcerf.
Balcere’s challenging terrain includes reds like Grand Tetras, and black runs like Roc de Peborny which skirts the edge of the ski area, beginning as an open ridge then plunging into the treeline. Mur Mermet is another black piste featuring steep sections under the Jassette chair. Costa Verde’s your place for lift served off piste – three powder runs stream off Roc d’Aude from 2325m.
The après ski is very family focussed, with most bars being linked to restaurants or hotels. Chez Antoine makes a terrific meeting point for food and / or drinks – near the kids slopes serving catalane dishes, beers and hot chocolates. We like La Grange for crepes and tartiflette, and La Marmotte does brilliant fondues. For later on, Bar L'In8 has a cracking cocktail menu.
There are three sledding slopes near the resort base, each a different level of difficulty. Dog sledding is also popular here, with local company Alaskan Forever providing rides. By the bottom of the Pla Del Mir pistes, the Animal Park provides a natural habitat to Pyrenean animals – meet bears, stags, wolves, reindeer and all kinds of other animals as you wander around the circuit.
363 snow cannons cover 70% of ski area, allowing a man-made layer of snow when needed throughout the season. This is particularly effective at the beginning of the winter, when temperatures are low enough for the cannons to work but snow cover can be touch and go. In periods of heavy snowfall, the presence of tree lined pistes can be a godsend, allowing shelter and better visibility. Later in the season, it helps to have 60% area above 2000m, which lets Les Angles hold onto its snow longer than other Pyrenean ski resorts.
Look out for Father Christmas’ village which usually pops up in Les Angles at Christmas – filling the air with the smells of candyfloss and popcorn hosting a Santa parade on Christmas Eve.
Previous years have seen all sorts of events in Les Angles at New Year, including torchlight ski shows by ESF, and free wine and hot chocolate in the resort.
Families are welcomed with open arms in Les Angles at Half Term – see if they still have firework shows during the school holidays.
Traditional celebrations tend to take place in Les Angles at Easter, with an Easter egg hunt in the village. Extra activities are usually planned if the snow isn’t up to scratch in the afternoons.
This Famille Plus resort pulls out all the stops for families, with special events over school holiday weeks like a Father Christmas parade, fireworks and ski shows. Oodles of gentle green and blue runs are on hand for learners and improvers, while more experienced families can tackle the black pistes and powder runs. The Les Pastouret nursery & crèche looks after tots from 3 months to 2.5 years, and the Les Angles Holiday Club is open for 2.5 to12 year olds. Little ones will go wild for the Animal Park where they can spy bears in the woods.
If your group’s after a quiet week in a ski area you can really get familiar with, Les Angles is great. Non-skiers can explore the Animal park and historic village centre, while skiers and snowboarders roam the 55km of pistes. Spend evenings enjoying good company and Catalan cuisine in the village.