The Pyrenean domain of Luz-Ardiden will host the XII edition of the Altitoy-Ternua, the queen event of alpine skiing in pairs; while in the Saint-Lary snow station the Xtrem Freeride will be held
Lovers of alpine skiing and freeride have a must in the French region of Hautes-Pyrénées which, this weekend, will host two of the most anticipated international competitions of the season. These are the Xtrem Freeride and the Altitoy-Ternua, whose 2018 edition fell to the couple formed by Kilian Jornet and Jakob Hermann. Hermann will participate this weekend with William Boffelli.
The queen test of Skimo of the French Pyrenees
Starting at 7:30 a.m. this Saturday and until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, alpine ski lovers have an unmissable date at Luz-Ardiden (Hautes-Pyrénées), the snow station located in the heart of of Toy country. The twelfth edition of the Altitoy-Ternua will feature 570 runners, 150 couples on course A, 125 on course B and 8 youngsters, made up of athletes of different nationalities, as well as outstanding athletes such as the reigning champion Jakob Hermann, who in this edition will participate together with the Italian, William Boffelli.
Luz-Ardiden, ski resort
The legendary Oriol Cardona or Marc Pinsach will also be present, who will compete on route A, the most difficult. In the women’s segment, there is a team that comes from Russia and a very strong team made up of Marta GarcÃa and Elena Nicolini. The Basque Nahia Quincoces will compete with the Madrilenian Ana Alonso, who have a good chance of winning in the women’s category. And as far as Basque athletes are concerned, Aitor Otxoa, Fermin Ilarregi and Mikel Navarro will take part. And the participation of the Zubeldia brothers, Aimar and Joseba is striking. Also participating will be Iñigo Martinez de Albornoz; and, Uxue Fraile will run alongside Arkaitz Irureta.
The most alpine and massive race in the Pyrenees will have two attractive and technical itineraries that will reach 5,000 meters of altitude and will go through the beautiful and mythical settings of Ardiden and -as far as possible- the long-awaited passage through the Pic de Midi of Bigorre (2,877 m). Route A of the Altitoy-Ternua scoring for the Grande Course, is more technical and demanding in terms of slope and distance. For its part, route B, non-competitive, is intended for young people (cadets and juniors); It is popular in nature and consists of a smoother route.
About Luz-Ardiden
The Luz-Ardiden station located in the Hautes-Pyrénées region is located at 1,700 and 2,500 meters of altitude. It has three quickly accessible slopes: Aulian, Béderet and Cloze; in addition to the Bernazaou freeride track, with a drop of 1,250 metres. It offers 60 km of marked trails for all levels. It also has the Pyrenean village of Luz Saint Sauveur located at an altitude of 700 m. It is an authentic Pyrenean town with all the comforts of a small town, a large number of accommodations, restaurants, shops and a nightclub; as well as the Luzea thermal center.
About the Altitoy
Originally, the Altitoy –driven by the late Andoni Areizaga– consisted of a small race that scored points for the Euskadi Championship. Currently, this race is a benchmark at an international level; and, since 2013, it has been registered in the “La Grande Course” circuit and is also eligible for the ISMF (International Ski Mountaineering Federation) World Cup. This circuit consists of 6 competitions in pairs, including the Altitoy, and is of worldwide relevance. What is clear is that it does not matter where the competitors come from. These people are united by the same passion: love for the mountains, for the Pyrenees and for mountain skiing.
The most beautiful Pyrenean freeride event
This weekend the most beautiful Pyrenean freeride event in the Pyrenees will take place at the Saint-Lary snow complex. The freeride test for two teams -in snowboard, ski or telemark-, runs through the most beautiful places of the Hautes-Pyrénées resort, with the strong point of a mountain camp between the two days.
Organized for more than ten years, this competition aims to bring together all freeride fans at the mythical station of the double world champion in this discipline: Xavier de Le Rue, member of the Saint-Lary snowboard club.
Saint-Lary, ski resort
About Saint Lary
Known for the beauty and authenticity of its villages (Vignec, Soulan and Tramezaygues), Saint-Lary is one of the top snow destinations in Europe. Located just 20 km from the Spanish border, at the gates of the Pyrenees National Park and the Néouvielle Nature Reserve, it has 30,000 tourist accommodation and quality restaurants, 100 km of slopes and 700 hectares in the heart of the Valley. of Aure.
The most extreme skiers, on the other hand, find what experts consider to be one of the best off-piste skiers of the moment. The resort offers “magic spot” off-piste skiing that allows you to experience unusual sensations on footbridges and small forgotten valleys, climbed by chairlifts, on skis or on foot. It is also the cradle of freeride, due to its incredible virgin slopes wrapped in white mantles. In the Espiaube sector, the ideal place to practice speed riding, the most extreme skiers are allowed to play with gravity.
And, is that Saint-Lary has it all whether you ski or not. It is the pinnacle of wellness and the mecca of Ski & Spa. Created from the reconstruction of an authentic canyon, the Sensoria Rio is one of the best thermal centers in the French Pyrenees. Its natural spring water bubbles at 32ºC in the jacuzzis, waterfalls, geysers and river against the current. It also has a cave, sauna and Turkish bath.
Pyrenean flakes, Bigorre black pig or other products from the terroir, as well as authentic sheep’s cheese from the Aure Valley are some of the specialties that you can taste in Saint-Lary. Here you can visit the most famous artisan chocolatier in the Pyrenees, one of the most irresistible temptations in Saint-Lary. In the town of Vignec, there is a natural canning factory run by the Coustalat family that has been transforming the products of the terroir for more than twenty years. And, every day, from 5 pm to 6 pm, Francis Porte opens his farm to introduce the tome, the blue and the P’tit d’Ens, his three artisan sheep’s cheese specialities.
