Ski Resorts Around Ax-les-Thermes: 6 Areas Compared
Which ski resort should you choose around Ax-les-Thermes, in Ariège and the neighbouring Pyrenees? For a ski resort in Ax-les-Thermes itself, it is Ax 3 Domaines, linked to the village by a gondola. Five more ski areas are within an hour’s drive: Ascou Pailhères, Porté-Puymorens and Grandvalira for downhill skiing, Plateau de Beille and Le Chioula for cross-country. Staying in town rather than at altitude means you can enjoy them all without choosing in advance — it is barely 10 minutes by gondola to the main resort, almost as if you were staying at the foot of the slopes.
This guide covers each area honestly: what it is good for, who it suits, what to expect on a busy day, and lift pass prices to help you budget. It also compares the key figures (altitude, vertical drop, pistes, lifts, snow reliability), ranked from highest to lowest.
Wondering whether the Pyrenees beat the Alps? Read our comparison: skiing in the Pyrenees instead of the Alps →.
Based in Ax and tempted by Andorra? Read our guide: skiing in Andorra from Ax-les-Thermes →.
Coming from the UK? See our country-by-country ski guide for British skiers →.
Want to see Ax next to Saint-Lary, the Grand Tourmalet, Font-Romeu and Luchon? Read our Pyrenean ski resorts compared →.
Not sure what to look for in a resort? See how to choose a ski resort in the Pyrenees →.
📊 The Six Areas in Numbers
| Resort | Type | Summit | Vertical drop | Pistes | Length | Lifts | From Ax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grandvalira |
Alpine |
2,822 m |
1,112 m |
143 |
215 km |
75 |
40 min to Pas de la Casa (estimate) |
Porté-Puymorens |
Alpine |
2,500 m |
900 m |
35 |
50 km |
10 |
35–40 min (estimate) |
Ax 3 Domaines |
Alpine |
2,400 m |
1,000 m |
38 |
80 km |
21 |
8 km, gondola from the village |
Ascou Pailhères |
Alpine |
2,100 m |
530 m |
19 |
15 km |
7 |
15–20 min |
Plateau de Beille |
Nordic |
2,000 m |
200 m |
21 |
40.2 km |
2 |
about 40 min |
Le Chioula |
Nordic |
1,725 m |
410 m |
13 |
51 km |
0 |
15–25 min |
Season 2026–2027 and Piste Mix in colours
| Resort | Planned opening | Planned closing | Green, % | Blue, % | Red, % | Black, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grandvalira |
5 Dec |
4 Apr |
16 |
38 |
32 |
14 |
Porté-Puymorens |
5 Dec |
4 Apr |
11 |
7 |
11 |
6 |
Ax 3 Domaines |
5 Dec |
29 Mar |
26 |
34 |
26 |
13 |
Ascou Pailhères |
19 Dec |
21 Mar |
21 |
32 |
37 |
11 |
Plateau de Beille |
5 Dec |
28 Mar |
2 |
26 |
52 |
20 |
Le Chioula |
19 Dec |
21 Mar |
21 |
29 |
21 |
29 |
🚠 Lifts in Detail
| Resort | Gondolas | Chairlifts | T-bar lifts | Rope tows | People movers | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grandvalira |
6 |
28 |
26 |
6 |
9 |
75 |
Porté-Puymorens |
— |
4 |
5 |
1 |
— |
10 |
Ax 3 Domaines |
2 |
7 |
8 |
3 |
1 |
21 |
Ascou Pailhères |
— |
1 |
6 |
7 |
||
Plateau de Beille |
— |
— |
2 |
2 |
||
Le Chioula |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
0 |
Ax 3 Domaines: the Ski Resort of Ax-les-Thermes
The largest ski area in the French Pyrenees, spread across three linked sectors between 1,400m and 2,400m. It’s a 10–15 minute drive from Ax-les-Thermes, or a gondola link (the Ax-Bonascre télécabine) straight from town.
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Best for: families, groups, intermediate and advanced skiers wanting real mileage
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Terrain: 80km of pistes across three connected sectors; recent investment in snowmaking, including a new high-altitude reservoir for artificial snow, has improved reliability on lower-elevation runs
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Key figures: summit at 2,400 m, 1,000 m vertical drop, 38 pistes, 21 lifts (2 gondolas, 7 chairlifts, 8 T-bar lifts, 3 rope tows, 1 people mover)
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Snow cannons: 300, with 60 km of pistes covered by snowmaking
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Adult day pass: around €47.50. Open 8am–5pm. Confirm current rates at ax.ski before your trip.
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2026–2027 season opening: 5 December 2026 to 29 March 2027.
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Where to stay: slopeside at Bonascre or in town at Ax-les-Thermes? Our honest comparison →
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Without skis: three marked snowshoe trails climb from the Bonascre plateau to Le Saquet; walking them costs nothing, while the gondolas need a pedestrian pass.
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Reality check: this resort has been breaking attendance records recently — one February weekend saw 15,000 skiers over two days, with full car parks and queues at the lifts and ticket office. On peak weekends and school holidays, arrive early or take the gondola from town to skip the mountain car park entirely.
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Good to know: summer visitor numbers have also been climbing here, so this isn’t a resort in decline — it’s actively growing and investing.
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For young children: the kindergarten (halte-garderie), Club Piou-Piou and kids' ski lessons are all at the Bonascre base, with no lift needed. See Kindergarten and Childcare at Ax 3 Domaines below.
The Ax-les-Thermes Gondola: Hours and Access
The Baou gondola links Ax-les-Thermes to the Bonascre resort in under 10 minutes, according to Tourisme Occitanie. On the official site it runs every day from 8am to 7pm; the resort’s lifts open gradually from 9am and close gradually from 4:20pm. A second gondola, the Saquet gondola, goes from the resort up to the Saquet sector. The pedestrian pass covers both gondolas, from 700 m to over 2,000 m. You can also drive to the Bonascre plateau by the D82 road.
Lift Passes at Ax 3 Domaines: 2026–2027 Prices
Prices taken from the official ax.ski site on 5 October 2026. "Reduced" covers juniors (5 to 17), students and seniors (65 to 74). Each pass is issued on a magnetic card charged at €1.
| Pass | Adult | Reduced |
|---|---|---|
Day |
€47.50 |
€41.50 |
Afternoon (from 12:45pm) |
€40.50 |
€34.50 |
2 days |
€88.00 |
€77.00 |
3 days |
€133.00 |
€117.00 |
Pedestrian, day (two gondolas) |
€13.50 |
€10.50 (junior) |
A 10% family discount per person applies from 4 paid passes of the same length, with at most 2 adults and at least 2 juniors. Ski insurance costs €3.60 per day. Occasional promotions exist on multi-day passes: see ax.ski. The 2025–2026 piste map can be downloaded from the official site.
Kindergarten and Childcare at Ax 3 Domaines
Everything for young children is at the Bonascre base, the resort’s main arrival point (sometimes called "Ax Bonascre Le Saquet"), so there is no lift to ride to reach it. What English-speaking visitors call a kindergarten is the halte-garderie, the station’s non-ski nursery. The ESF (French Ski School) runs the options below:
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Halte-garderie (non-ski nursery, ages 3 months to 6 years): daily, 9am to 4:45pm, throughout the ski season. Spots are limited, so booking is recommended: +33 5 61 64 29 64.
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Club Piou-Piou (ages 3 to 4): a secure beginner area with two conveyor lifts and a small cable car, supervised by ESF instructors.
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Group ski lessons (ages 5 to 12): from complete beginner ("Ourson") through the star levels. Prices for group and private lessons at both schools are in the table below.
Spots and rates depend on the season and snow conditions: confirm current rates and availability with ESF Ax 3 Domaines before your trip. The two ski schools are compared just below.
Ski School and Ski Lessons at Ax 3 Domaines
Two schools, the French Ski School (ESF) and the International Ski School (ESi), teach at the Bonascre base, in a chalet at the bottom of the learning area (the part of the resort that some listings call "Ax Bonascre Le Saquet"). Both give group and private ski lessons to adults and children. For the youngest children and the nursery, see Kindergarten and Childcare at Ax 3 Domaines above.
| ESF | ESi | |
|---|---|---|
Group lessons |
6 lessons of 2h or 2h30: €195 (children 5 to 12, teenagers and adults from 13, welcome class to expert class); single lesson €42; groups of 4 to 14 |
6 lessons of 2h: €175 to €220 (up to 8 people); 5 morning lessons outside school holidays: €145; single lesson from €32; small group of up to 5: €295 |
Private lessons |
1 hour: €48 to €58 depending on the season; €15 per extra person per hour |
1 hour: €47 to €57; 1h30 from €70; 2h €92 to €112; up to 3 people of the same level, €15 per extra person per hour |
Languages |
French, English, Spanish, Italian, Catalan |
French, English, Spanish |
Also |
Children’s Piou-Piou club and nursery (see above) |
Ski, snowboard and cross-country lessons; freestyle and freeride courses in school holidays |
Prices are the 2025-26 figures published by the tourist board, so confirm 2026-27 rates with each school, and book ahead for school holidays. Children must wear a helmet at ESi. ESi can be reached on +33 5 61 03 56 13.
Ascou-Pailhères: The Quiet Alternative
A smaller, less crowded resort about 20 minutes from Ax-les-Thermes.
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Best for: beginners, families with young children, anyone who wants to ski without the crowds or the parking stress of the bigger resort
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Terrain: 15km of pistes, shorter lift lines, lower price point
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Key figures: summit at 2,100 m, 530 m vertical drop, 19 pistes, 7 lifts (1 chairlift, 6 T-bar lifts, rope tows or people movers); planned season 19 December to 21 March
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Snow cannons: 10, covering 2.3 km of pistes; the pistes face north
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Adult day pass: around €29. Open 9am–4:45pm. Confirm current rates at ascou.ski before your trip.
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Good to know: less snowmaking infrastructure than Ax 3 Domaines, so conditions depend more on natural snowfall — worth checking conditions before a dedicated trip, especially early or late season
Porté-Puymorens: A Ski Resort in the Eastern Pyrenees
A resort in the Pyrénées-Orientales, on the other side of the Puymorens pass: allow about 35 to 40 minutes from Ax-les-Thermes via the N20 and the tunnel (estimate, to be checked). It is 15 km from Andorra.
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Best for: skiers of all levels looking for a quieter area; its north-west exposure gives good snow cover
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Terrain: 35 pistes over 50 km (90 ha), from 1,600 m to 2,500 m, a 900 m vertical drop; four sectors (Village, la Mine, Fontfrède and la Vignole) and 15 km of cross-country trails
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Lifts: 10 — 4 chairlifts (including the Dôme de la Mine six-seat detachable chairlift, opened in 2022), 5 T-bar lifts and 1 rope tow
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Pistes: 11 green, 7 blue, 11 red and 6 black
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Adult day pass: around €41. Open 9am–5pm. Confirm current rates at Trio Pyrénées before your trip.
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2026–2027 season: 5 December 2026 to 4 April 2027 (planned dates).
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Good to know: 30 km of snowmaking lets you ski back down to the village; figures differ from site to site (see "What the sources say").
Andorra: A Day Trip Over the Border
Andorra’s resorts (Grandvalira and Pal-Arinsal are the nearest) are roughly 45–60 minutes from Ax-les-Thermes by car, depending on the border crossing and conditions.
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Best for: a change of scenery, larger lift-served terrain, duty-free shopping on the way back
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Terrain: 215km of pistes
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Key figures: 143 pistes, from 1,710 m to 2,822 m (1,112 m vertical drop), 75 lifts (6 gondolas, 28 chairlifts, 26 T-bar lifts, 6 rope tows, 9 people movers); planned season 5 December to 4 April
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Snow cannons: 1,032, with 126 km of pistes covered by snowmaking
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On site: free ski bus between sectors, night skiing on some evenings at Pas de la Casa, and three snowparks (Skiinfo)
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Journey: Pas de la Casa, the sector nearest the border, is about 40 minutes away according to the official Ax 3 Domaines site
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More: Grandvalira from Ax: comparison, lift pass costs and a sample week →
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Adult day pass: around €66.40. Open 9am–4:45pm. Confirm current rates at grandvalira.com before your trip.
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Good to know: this is a full day out, not a quick trip — factor in border traffic on weekends and school holidays. Staying in Ax-les-Thermes rather than in Andorra itself means lower accommodation costs and no need to deal with Andorra’s own peak-season pricing and crowds.
Chioula: Nordic and Snowshoe
A cross-country and snowshoe area near Les Cabannes, roughly 20–25 minutes away.
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Best for: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, a quieter day out, non-skiers in the group
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Terrain: 51km of marked Nordic trails through forest and open plateau, generally easier gradients than downhill terrain
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Key figures: 13 cross-country trails (51 km), from 1,240 m to 1,725 m, with no lifts; planned season 19 December to 21 March
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Adult prices: around €14 for cross-country skiing, €11 for snowshoeing. Open 8am–5pm. Confirm current rates at chioula.fr before your trip.
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Good to know: a good option for a rest day from downhill skiing, or for guests who want a half-day of activity without lift tickets
Prefer to snowshoe at the main resort? The snowshoe trails at Ax 3 Domaines start from the Bonascre plateau.
Plateau de Beille: Nordic Skiing at Altitude
A second Nordic area, about 40 minutes from Ax-les-Thermes, with 40km of cross-country trails at altitude (1,810–1,827m).
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Best for: cross-country skiing, generally more reliable snow than Chioula thanks to the altitude
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Key figures: 21 cross-country trails over 40.2 km, 2 lifts, 279 cm average snowfall; planned season 5 December to 28 March
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Adult day pass: around €14 (around €21.50 with equipment rental). Open 9am–4:45pm. Confirm current rates at beille.fr before your trip.
❄️ Snow Reliability
Snow depends on altitude, the direction the pistes face, and snowmaking. The table ranks the areas by summit altitude. Average snowfall figures are yearly averages: they do not guarantee snow for any particular week.
| Resort | Altitude low – high | Average snowfall | Snowmaking | Snow cannons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grandvalira |
1,710 – 2,822 m |
159 cm |
126 km |
1,032 |
Porté-Puymorens |
1,600 – 2,500 m |
220 cm |
30 km |
|
Ax 3 Domaines |
1,400 – 2,400 m |
420 cm |
60 km |
300 |
Ascou Pailhères |
1,500 – 2,100 m |
223 cm |
2.3 km |
10 |
Plateau de Beille |
1,800 – 2,000 m |
279 cm |
||
Le Chioula |
1,240 – 1,725 m |
156 cm |
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Grandvalira: 1,032 snow cannons and 126 km of pistes with snowmaking, the largest snowmaking capacity in this comparison.
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Porté-Puymorens: north-west facing, 30 km of snowmaking so you can ski back to the village; the number of snow cannons is not given.
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Ax 3 Domaines: 300 snow cannons and 60 km of snowmaking, with the highest average snowfall in the comparison (420 cm). The lowest point is 1,400 m, which is why a high-altitude reservoir for artificial snow matters.
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Ascou Pailhères: north-facing pistes, but only 10 snow cannons (2.3 km): conditions depend mostly on natural snow.
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Plateau de Beille: the lowest point is at 1,800 m, higher than any other area in the table, and average snowfall (279 cm) is higher than at Chioula.
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Le Chioula: the lowest point (1,240 m) and the lowest average snowfall (156 cm): check that the trails are open before you go.
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💡
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Before a dedicated trip, especially early or late in the season, check the area’s snow report. |
🎟️ Lift Pass Prices Around Ax-les-Thermes
Adult day pass price per area, highest summit first. Only the Ax 3 Domaines price was checked on the official site on 5 October 2026; confirm the others with each area before your trip.
| Resort | Adult day pass | Note |
|---|---|---|
Grandvalira |
€66.40 |
To be confirmed |
Porté-Puymorens |
€41 |
To be confirmed |
Ax 3 Domaines |
€47.50 |
Official site, checked 5 October 2026 |
Ascou Pailhères |
€29 |
To be confirmed |
Plateau de Beille |
€14 |
To be confirmed; around €21.50 with equipment rental |
Le Chioula |
€14 |
To be confirmed; cross-country €14, snowshoes €11 |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which ski resort in Ariège is closest to Ax-les-Thermes?
Ax 3 Domaines, 8 km from Ax-les-Thermes and linked to the village by a gondola. Le Chioula, a cross-country area, is 15 to 25 minutes away, and Ascou Pailhères is 15 to 20 minutes by car.
Which resort near Ax-les-Thermes suits beginners?
Ax 3 Domaines has dedicated beginner areas on the Bonascre plateau. Ascou Pailhères has a covered carpet and two progressive lifts. Porté-Puymorens has 11 green pistes according to Skiinfo.
Where can you cross-country ski near Ax-les-Thermes?
At Plateau de Beille (21 trails, 40.2 km) and at Le Chioula (13 trails, 51 km). Le Chioula has no lifts; Beille has two.
Which area has the most reliable snow?
Ax 3 Domaines has the highest average snowfall in the comparison (420 cm) and 300 snow cannons; Grandvalira has 1,032 snow cannons. For cross-country, Plateau de Beille is higher and gets more snow than Le Chioula.
Can you ski in Ax-les-Thermes without a car?
For Ax 3 Domaines, yes: the Skirail offer takes 1h30 by train from Toulouse, the station is one minute by shuttle from the gondola, and the gondola goes up to the foot of the slopes. We found no transport information for the other areas: ask each resort.
When do the resorts around Ax-les-Thermes open?
Opening is planned for 5 December at Ax 3 Domaines, Plateau de Beille, Porté-Puymorens and Grandvalira, and for 19 December at Ascou Pailhères and Le Chioula. Closing dates run from 21 March to 4 April. These are planned dates for the 2026–2027 season and depend on snow.
Can you ski in Andorra from Ax-les-Thermes?
Yes, at Grandvalira. Allow about 40 minutes by road to Pas de la Casa, with a border crossing: bring your ID. Full details: skiing in Andorra from Ax →.
How much is a lift pass at Ax 3 Domaines?
The adult day pass costs €47.50 and the reduced rate €41.50, according to the official site (checked 5 October 2026). The pedestrian pass, which covers both gondolas, costs €13.50 a day.
What are the opening hours of the Ax-les-Thermes gondola?
The Baou gondola runs every day from 8am to 7pm. The resort opens gradually from 9am and closes gradually from 4:20pm.
📍 Addresses, phone numbers, official sites and GPS coordinates
| Resort | Address | Phone | Official site | GPS coordinates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grandvalira |
|||||
Porté-Puymorens |
La Vignole, 66760 Porté-Puymorens |
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Ax 3 Domaines |
Boulevard de la Griole, 09110 Ax-les-Thermes |
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Ascou Pailhères |
Station de ski, 09110 Ascou |
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Plateau de Beille |
Plateau de Beille, 09310 Les Cabannes |
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Le Chioula |
Station du Chioula, 09110 Ignaux |
Contact details for Grandvalira are not filled in yet; see grandvalira.com.
Getting Here From Ax Stays
Studio Natik is centrally located in Ax-les-Thermes, within walking distance of the Ax-Bonascre gondola for Ax 3 Domaines, and a short drive from Ascou-Pailhères, Chioula, and the Andorra border road.
For lift passes and ski equipment rental, several shops (Intersport, Skiset, ESF) offer online booking with pickup directly in Ax-les-Thermes — handy for skipping the queues at the resort ticket offices.
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💡
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Planning a ski day and a soak in the thermal baths on the same trip? See our combined ski and spa guide for how to fit both in. |
To book your stay, see Studio Natik.