From Toulouse, winter opens wide on the Pyrenees. Renting cross-country skis in Toulouse allows you to set off early, equipped and relaxed, to enjoy the great Nordic plateaus nearby: Beille and Chioula in Ariège, Nistos in the Hautes-Pyrénées, not forgetting the luminous panoramas of the Val d'Azun a little further on. We leave the pink city at dawn, and in less than two hours we're already gliding down groomed slopes with views of the peaks.

Toulouse's climate remains mild and sunny, but snow is very present at altitude from December to March, with a very reliable peak season between January and early March. The best conditions are often found in the morning, just after grooming, when the snow is firmer and faster. Afternoons are ideal for beginners and family outings, especially in fine weather. After a snowfall, wait for a window of clear skies and little wind to enjoy the plateaus.