Taken in February 2005, this is near Artouste on the way to the Col du Portalet. Specially prepared tracks are ideal for either cross country skiing or snow shoeing.

Here I am in the hills above Gourette. While I'm not a fan of the resort itself, I'm a big fan of the superb mountains around it.

With the closure of Artouste, more and more skiers come to Gourette. There are enough lifts and there is enough room on the pistes. The problem? Not enough car parks. Is that what the Pyrenees needs? More car parks?

The pistes are well maintained and skiing here is cheaper than in the Alps.

And the pistes are not too crowded. They have put in new facilities for beginners including a 'magic carpet' which is a stairless escalator for taking you up an incline.

Sorry Tenzing and Hillary,I got there first.

Doesn't it make you want to set off with an old fertlizer bag, climb up the peak, and slide down again? Well, each to his (or her) own.

Near the Col du Somport is a good cross country sking area. You do have to pay to go on the prepared tracks but it is not expensive - nor is renting the equipment. You should be able to have a good day out for about 12 euros.

Is it 'The Angel of the North'? Or perhaps Jesus overlooking Rio? Or perhaps just a wally standing on a rock?

Just in case there was any doubt about my sanity... It was minus eleven at the time.

If you're lucky enough to get a cloudless sky and wonderfully cold weather, then you can take wonderful pictures like this one.

or this one.

The snow has melted from many of the peaks by about June though there are a few permanent glaciers in the Pyrenees - though probably not for much longer.