Things to do in the Languedoc:   Winter Sports:   Cross Country Skiing

The mountains of Languedoc-Roussillon have 11 cross country ski areas, with 75 marked ski trails covering over 450 miles, all in the southern French sunshine. In the the Pyrenees (  Pirenèus, Pirineus, Pyrénées), the Capcir Nordic ski area combines the resorts of Matemaie, La Llagonne, Réal, Pyuvalador-Rieutort, Espousouille/Fontrabiouse, Caudiès de Conflent and Formiguères. These villages make up a Nordic ski area, registered with the France cross country skiing association, at an altitude of 1500m, with more than 70 miles of cross country ski tracks. Information: Maison du Capcir, 66210 Matemale Tel: 33 (0)4 68 04 49 86 E-mail: contact@capcir-pyrenees.com Website: http://www.capcir-pyrenees.com/

Col du Chioula.  Near Ax-les-Thermes.  Tel: 05 61 64 20 00.  www.vallees-ax.com.  e-mail: vallees.ax@wanadoo.fr.   Alt. 1240-1650 m.  60 km of marked and swept piste, through the trees, following forest tracks.  Superb natural site.  Sledging.  Mountain bike trails in summer.

Mijanès.  Near Axat.  Tel: 04 68 20 40 44.  50 km of piste, including 40 km compacted and marked.  Tranquil, sunny countryside.

Plateau de Beille.   Near Ax-les-Thermes.  Tel: 05 34 09 35 35.  Alt. 1800 m - 2000 m.  65 km of marked piste.  Lots of snow, fine views.  12 km of dogsledge tracks.  Walking (snowshoes available).  Other activities such as learning trapping and living in an igloo.  Mountain biking and horse riding in summer.

Tour Lafont.  Near Foix.  Tel: 05 61 64 53 33.  Alt. 1250-1500 m.  15 km of marked piste.  Fine setting.

Etang de Lers.  Near Foix.  Tel: 05 61 04 91 13.   Alt. 1300-1615 m.  35 km of compacted marked and swept piste.  Other activities include ski-horse and walking (snowshoes available) and sledging.