The Panoramic snowshoe circuit

When you leave the cable car at the Bézou plateau, walk along the terrace of the high-altitude restaurant Le Cairn to reach the totem indicating the start of the circuit. Pass next to the start of the Pitchouns chairlift to reach the Bézou lake. This body of water serves as a reserve for the production of artificial snow, which is made by spraying micro-droplets of water into the air. For the snow to be produced, temperatures must be below zero, and no additives are added. Continue along the lake on the right to join the snowshoe trail that climbs towards the forest. It is also possible to simply walk around the lake to effortlessly learn how to snowshoe.

After a short climb to negotiate slowly, because it is the only difficulty of the route, the latter enters the forest. The track is wide and winds through the beech and fir trees. You will have plenty of time to observe the tracks and clues left by the animals in the snow. Shortly after, you reach a characteristic point, easily recognizable thanks to its large antenna: it is the relay. Continue on the track which, after a few hundred meters, makes a sharp turn to the left to return to the starting point. It passes slightly above the one you took on the way there. After a few turns, you gradually come out of the forest. Then continue to reach point 3.

The route still follows the wide track and, this time, you find yourself on a balcony overlooking Lake Bézou. The track crosses small cliffs, creating small gaps, which gives a unique character to the path. The forest fades to make way for snowfields. The route continues to reach the lake a little further on. You will enjoy exceptional views of the Gourette cirque and the surrounding mountains. After two downhill bends, the trail reaches the lake. Then simply reach the start of the Pitchouns chairlift to go back up to the high-altitude restaurant Le Cairn. A little reminder: do not use the ski slopes on snowshoes, pedestrians or snowshoes are prohibited on the ski slopes (municipal decree).