Ax les Thermes Ski Resort Guide
Ax les Thermes, France
Rated: 3/5 (from 7 ratings)
| Recommended For | Freeriders, Expert Skiers, Intermediates, Beginners, Snowboarders and Snowfall! |
|---|---|
| Total Piste Length | 75km |
| Highest Lift | 2,305m |
| Resort Height | 700m |
| Nearest Airports | Toulouse and Carcassonne |
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Ax les Thermes
Ax 3 Domaines is a varied ski area, with something for everyone - including extensive freeride and off-piste terrain - above the pretty, traditional spa town of Ax les Thermes.
Summary
The French ski resort of Ax les Thermes is in the French Pyrenees at an altitude of 700m, with 75km of marked runs.
Ax les Thermes has direct access to 75km of downhill skiing, with 36 marked pistes, served by a total of 20 ski lifts.
With ski lifts as high as 2,305m, snow cover is generally reliable.
Snowboarding
Ax les Thermes offers some good boarding and there is a Snow Park in Ax les Thermes.
Snow and Weather
When will it snow in Ax les Thermes?
The next notable snow forecast is 2cm, expected on 14 April, with around 6cm forecast over the next 7 days.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update, or Join our Snow Mail Here
Snow this week
| Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow to 1,416m | Snow to base | Snow to base |
Ski Area Stats
Ax les Thermes Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 10 | |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 11 | |
| Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 9 | |
| Downhill Total Length | 75km | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 20 | |
Altitudes
Ax les Thermes Ski Area Heights
| Highest Lift | 2,305m |
|---|---|
| Lowest Piste | 1,400m |
| Resort Altitude (Ax les Thermes) | 700m |
| Max Vertical | 1,000m |
Ratings & Suitability
| Freeriders | |
|---|---|
| Expert Skiers | |
| Intermediate Skiers | |
| Beginners | |
| Snowboarding | |
| Snow | |
| Apres-Ski |
Ax les Thermes Overview
Notable Ski Runs
The longest possible descent in Ax les Thermes is 4km long.
Skiing
The ski area, Ax 3 Domaines, is reached either by a direct gondola which runs from Ax les Thermes, at 700 metres altitude, to the Plateau de Bonascre at 1400 metres, or by a winding mountain road up from the town.
Three inter-connected areas (the three 'domains') combine to form a varied and interesting ski area ranging from nursery slopes through long, winding runs all the way to couloirs and off-piste descents through the trees. The 3 domains are Bonascre, around the resort base on the North side, Campels rising to 2400 metres in the South East and Saquet with lifts up to 2300 metres to the South West.
Ax 3 Domaines for Beginners
The Domaine de Bonascre, immediately above the resort base of Bonascre, caters nicely for beginners. Nursery and children's slopes are right on the 'front-de-neige' just a few steps from ski shops, cafes and restaurants. A gondola ride up the hill allows early skiers to access easy runs up the mountain, after which they can return on a long, easy Green or on the gondola.
Ax 3 Domaines for Intermediates
Intermediate level skiers, once able to tackle Blue runs, will enjoy the long and winding trails that run through and between the three domains. A similar number of Red-graded pistes, with interesting changes of aspect and gradient, are available for the next challenge!
Ax 3 Domaines for Experts
There are half a dozen Black runs across the ski area, to challenge the aspiring Expert and advanced-level skiers and boarders.
Ax 3 Domaines for Freeriders
The terrain, and the layout of the pistes, make Ax especially attractive to those who like to leave the constraints of marked runs behind. There are numerous opportunities to drop off the trails into short steeps, fairly mellow couloirs and forest runs.
The Campels and Saquet areas, in particular, offer abundant accessible freeride possibilities with most routes leading quickly back to pistes (and hence lifts so you can do it all again).
There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.
Location and Map
Where is Ax les Thermes?
This ski resort is in the French Pyrenees in Ariège, Midi-Pyrénées.
Map
Tap 
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Ax les Thermes is Toulouse, 90 minutes drive away.
Carcassonne, Perpignan, Barcelona, Béziers and Lourdes airports are all within three hours drive.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 20 ski lifts are able to uplift 20,460 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Snow Making
Snow-making is available, on 30km of ski runs, with 152 snow cannons.
Season Dates
When is Ax les Thermes open?
Opened : December 5, 2020.
Closed : April 4, 2021.
Usual opening is early December, and usual closing is Early April.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
COVID-19 / Coronavirus
We don't yet have specific details of the COVID-19 precautions being taken in Ax les Thermes, but they are likely to include most of the following :-
- Face masks required on lifts, and in shops.
- Social distancing in public areas.
- Reduced lift capacity.
- Extensive disinfection / sanitization.
French Ski Resort COVID-19 Measures describes further measures that may also be applied.
Visit the Ax les Thermes Tourist Office for the latest.
Talking about Ax les Thermes
Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...
Aprés Ski
After ski... the spa(s)! Ax les Thermes offers many ways to indulge in the thermal, mineral-rich and warm waters that bubble up into the town; from open air ponds and steaming "foot spas" to the impressive and luxurious Les Bains Couloubret.
Photo (c) Alain BASCHENIS
History and Development
Ax les Thermes, the town, is hundreds of years old with a long history developing around the thermal springs, ponds and baths. The ski resort (Ax 3 Domaines) has grown from its beginnings with the first lift in 1956, through the establishment of the resort base on the mountain at Bonascre, with recent developments adding new lifts and expanding the terrain accessible within the three domains.
