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Cauterets vs Les Arcs vs Madesimo: at a glance

Side-by-side comparison of Cauterets, Les Arcs and Madesimo based on Alpe Match data: ski area, altitude, size, prices and access.

CauteretsLes ArcsMadesimo
CountryFranceFranceItaly
RegionHautes-PyrénéesSavoieLombardy
Best forFamilies, Couples, Groups of friends, Solo travellersFamilies, Couples, Groups of friends, Solo travellersFamilies, Couples, Groups of friends, Solo travellers
Car-free centrePartlyYesPartly
Nearest airportsLourdes-Tarbes Pyrénées Airport (LDE, ~45 km); Pau Pyrénées Airport (PUF, ~90 km)Geneva Airport (GVA) - ~200 km (2h 30m drive); Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) - ~200 km (2h 30m drive)Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) (approx 150 km); Milan Linate (LIN) (approx 170 km)
Ski area38 km200 km60 km
Blue slopes16 km104 km22 km
Red slopes14 km70 km29 km
Black slopes3 km26 km9 km
Ski lifts155212
Village altitude500 m1,200 m1,550 m
Maximum altitude3,300 m3,226 m2,948 m
Hiking trails200 km200 km–
Population8597,160597
Accommodation beds12,00050,0002,500

Key differences

  • Les Arcs has the largest ski area: 200 km, compared with Madesimo (60 km) and Cauterets (38 km).
  • Les Arcs has the most black slopes: 26 km, compared with Madesimo (9 km) and Cauterets (3 km).
  • Les Arcs has the most ski lifts: 52, compared with Cauterets (15) and Madesimo (12).
  • Madesimo has the highest village: 1,550 m, compared with Les Arcs (1,200 m) and Cauterets (500 m).
  • Cauterets has the highest top altitude: 3,300 m, compared with Les Arcs (3,226 m) and Madesimo (2,948 m).
  • Les Arcs has the largest accommodation capacity: 50,000, compared with Cauterets (12,000) and Madesimo (2,500).

Cauterets

Dual-season resort combining Belle Epoque thermal heritage with high-altitude skiing in the Pyrenees National Park, known for exceptional natural snow cover.

Full guide to Cauterets JSON

Les Arcs

High-altitude snow-sure terrain part of the 425km Paradiski area, fully pedestrianized villages, and seamless rail-to-ski access via the funicular from Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

Full guide to Les Arcs JSON

Madesimo

Renowned for its high snow reliability, the challenging 'Canalone' off-piste run, and its history as a retreat for poet Giosuè Carducci.

Full guide to Madesimo JSON