Plateau de Bonascre & Ax 3 Domaines
A gondola ride from the edge of town whisks you up to the Plateau de Bonascre at 1,400 m, the gateway to the Ax 3 Domaines ski area and, in summer, one of the finest high-altitude walking terraces in the eastern Pyrenees. The views across the Ariège valley are jaw-dropping in every season.
Summer hiking on the roof of Ariège
When the snow melts, the ski pistes transform into a network of waymarked trails threading through bilberry scrub, granite outcrops and wildflower meadows. The GR10 long-distance trail crosses the plateau, meaning serious trekkers pass through on their Atlantic-to-Mediterranean journey — you can join a section for a day without any special equipment.
The trail to the Pic de Saquet (2,028 m) is achievable in around three hours return from the top of the gondola and rewards you with a 360-degree panorama that takes in the Andorran peaks, the Carlit massif and, on clear days, a sliver of the Mediterranean horizon.
Winter skiing and snow sports
Ax 3 Domaines covers three linked mountain faces — Ax-Bonascre, Saquet and Campels — with 80 km of pistes ranging from gentle greens to steep black couloirs. It is significantly less crowded and less expensive than the mega-resorts of the northern Pyrenees, which makes it a favourite with families and intermediate skiers who want real mountain terrain without the queues.
The snow park at Saquet has a decent half-pipe and kicker line, and the cross-country trails around the plateau are groomed regularly. Night skiing is occasionally offered on the Bonascre face — check the resort calendar before you visit.
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