There is a European mountain range that offers a very different experience to the frenetic gong show of the Alps - the Pyrenees.

The Pic Du Midi at La Mongie offers the highest lift served access in the region. Having spent time (too much or too little - depending on whether you are Mrs G or Mr G) in the Alps I fancied something different. Unfortunately this year hasnt been the best in the Pyrenees and the relative lack of snow meant a change in emphasis as the Pic Du Midi was closed. However thanks to a major storm, an engaging group and top guide we still had a fantastic trip.

Based in Luz St Saveur we drove to a variety of car parks. Day one and two involved hikes to snow line and 1000m of skinning / climbing - but some fantastic spring skiing. On the second day following an airy traverse we had a valley to ourselves and following an icy start could really let the skis run on the transforming snow.

Day three and four involved skinning / skiing in heavy snow - the snow getting deeper by the hour.

Day five, six & seven - blue skies and powder. Using skins and bootpacks we accessed valleys away from the ski area of La Mongie where we were the only people skiing the pow.

The Pic du Midi will be there next year.