Following a remarkable 15m of snowfall this winter (that's comparable to the world's snowiest resorts like Mt Baker in Washington State and Niseko in Japan), the French Pyrenees will see its first ever lift operations in May next week when the Pic du Midi lift runs for the use of off piste skiers and snowboarders next week.
Although all the ski resorts I the French Pyrenees are now closed, the Pic du Midi is to re-open from Monday, May 6th to Sunday 12th to allow experienced off-piste skiers and snowboarders who want to use the cable car lift which serves the observatory here to access the 1000 metres of vertical still open and powdery. It's the first time the lift has opened for snowsports in May.
The Pic du Midi is not however a conventional ski area and has no groomed pistes or ski lifts other than the cable car so anyone ski here should have good off piste ski or boarding ability and avalanche danger awareness as well as carrying suitable equipment including a beacon, shovel, probe and so on. It's recommended to ski with a guide also.
Ponce on the lift up all skiers and boarders will be required to sign a disclaimer to say they understand the scenario they are entering once they head down. Children can only ski or board when accompanied by an adult.
It's still snowing in the Pyrenees although the only ski area still open for one final weekend (probably) is Baqueira Beret in Spain.
Pic du Midi reported another 30cm (a foot) of fresh snow in the final 48 hours of April.