the essential
To start the year in style, the Pic du Midi offers visitors a unique spectacle with the observation of the sunset at an altitude of 2,877 meters.
Thanks to favorable weather conditions this week, you have until Thursday, January 2 to contemplate the sunset from the summit of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, at an altitude of 2,877 meters. You will then have to wait for the next ski vacation to be able to experience this magical moment.
If the fog covered the Tarbes plain the first week of the holidays, the Pyrenees peaks have benefited from clear weather for several days, to the great pleasure of vacationers who were able to savor the moonlight above the sea of clouds . Even an exceptional sunset when climbing to the Pic du Midi.
Contemplation and scientific discovery
“Every evening during these Christmas holidays, and until this Thursday, we are offering sunset viewing evenings at the summit, with a final climb departing from La Mongie at 5 p.m., knowing that the sun is setting right now around 5:30 p.m.”, invites Vincent Doutres, sales director of Pic du Midi. An invitation to “contemplate the snow-capped peaks bathed in the golden and pink colors of dusk” in the company of the site's hosts who “will guide you to better understand and appreciate the magic of the Pyrenees at this precise moment”.
And all for the price of a simple package, i.e. €52 for a return trip by cable car, but at this price, you can spend the whole day aboard the Vaisseau des Étoiles and enjoy the many activities offered there, or even enjoy a gourmet meal at the table of “2 877”, the Pic restaurant with a view of the slopes of Tourmalet and the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees.
Live the experience of an ice waterfall
Thus, the unique spectacle of the sunset will conclude a series of experiences that visitors can enjoy under the dome of the Planetarium, at the end of the pontoon in the sky, on the panoramic terrace of the Pic du Midi or even on the ice waterfall , first implemented two years ago and very popular with thrill-seekers.
“This year, thanks to the low temperatures, we were able to open it earlier and we have a lot of requests,” rejoices Vincent Doutres. And the activity is not reserved for specialists in the discipline, quite the contrary, the objective being to introduce as many people as possible thanks to the supervision provided by high mountain guides on this icy “wall” of 25 m long and 45 m wide located on the north face of the Peak.
Note that the waterfall is formed by excess water transported to the Pic du Midi from Lake Oncet for the needs of the site and its occupants (scientists, employees, visitors). “At this altitude the water must be kept in circulation so as not to freeze and the excess water in the circuit is returned to the north face. In the spring, this water returns to its natural environment,” indicates the site manager. .
The less daring can encourage the apprentice mountaineers from the Pontoon in the sky while the more courageous can continue with a freeride descent from the summit to reach the La Mongie station.
More information and reservations on https://picdumidi.com/fr/
