How to Get to Piau Engaly
Practical guide to getting there and getting around
Set on the edge of the Pyrenees National Park, close to the Spanish border, Piau Engaly is the highest ski resort in the Pyrenees — and surprisingly easy to reach. With a pedestrianised resort and ski-in, ski-out access, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the mountains without the hassle.
Whether you’re travelling by plane, train or car, using the free local shuttles or taking one of the region’s Skibuses, there are plenty of ways to get here. Explore all your transport options below, along with practical information to help you travel comfortably, independently and with the mountain environment in mind. Your mountain getaway starts here!
Prendre le train pour venir à Piau Engaly est l'option idéale pour voyager l'esprit léger tout en admirant la transition entre plaines et sommets pyrénéens. La gare ferroviaire SNCF de Lourdes est le point de chute obligatoire du réseau ferré pour tous les voyageurs.
Taking the train to Cauterets is a great way to sit back, enjoy the scenery and watch the landscape change as you leave the plains behind and head into the Pyrenees. Lourdes SNCF train station is the main rail gateway for travellers heading to Cauterets.
There are daily direct TGV Inoui services from Paris Montparnasse, taking just 4 hours 45 minutes. You can also travel overnight with INTERCITÉS, or take regional TER Occitanie services from Toulouse or Bordeaux, with the journey taking around 2 hours 30 minutes.
Our local expert tip: book your tickets well in advance for the February school holidays. Travelling by train is a popular choice for skiing families looking to avoid the stress and fatigue of driving to the mountains.
Let the Piau Engaly Skibus Take You to the Slopes
Looking for a safe and easy way to reach your favourite ski resort?
Find the Skibus that runs near you and let it take you all the way up to the mountains!
Driving to Piau Engaly gives you the freedom to explore the beautiful Aure Valley at your own pace. The resort is easy to reach by road: from the A64 motorway (La Pyrénéenne), take exit 16 (Lannemezan), then follow the D929 towards Saint-Lary-Soulan and Spain, via the Aragnouet-Bielsa tunnel.
After passing through Aragnouet, turn onto the road to Piau for the final climb up to the resort. Our pisteur’s tip: as the highest ski resort in the Pyrenees, Piau is subject to France’s Mountain Law during the winter months. Make sure you have winter tyres or snow chains in your car, and if possible, aim to arrive in the late morning, once the snow-clearing crews have had time to clear the road.
Piau Engaly is a pedestrian-friendly resort, making the centre a particularly pleasant place to enjoy. There are free car parks (P1 to P4) around the resort where you can leave your vehicle during your stay. There is also a fully equipped motorhome area.
Once you've parked, you can easily get around the resort using the free buses, which run continuously and connect the different car parks with accommodation and the foot of the slopes.
Yes. Under France's Mountain Law, from 1 November to 31 March, vehicles must either be fitted with four winter tyres or carry removable snow chains or snow socks in the boot.
The resort's Skibuses are paid services, but fares are very affordable. Several options are available, including transport + ski pass, transport only, and return journeys. It's a great way to enjoy your day without having to worry about parking.
The nearest SNCF train station is Lannemezan. From there, or from Tarbes train station, regular regional bus services operated by the Occitanie regional network take you directly to the resort. Combined train + bus offers from Toulouse are also available regularly.
- Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport: around 1 hour 30 minutes from the resort, with bus connections and car hire options available.
- Pau-Pyrénées Airport: around 1 hour 50 minutes by road.
- Toulouse-Blagnac Airport: around 2 hours 15 minutes by road, making it a convenient option for international flights.
