The one and only time I skied the Pyrenees was at Arcalis near Ordino. I was fortunate to hit the area after a three or four day storm. The sun came out and we had fresh powder all day long. I was amazed that the locals were not heading off piste to catch fresh turns in the fluffy deep snow. I was also amazed by the French couple who had brought along their huge Bouvier des Flandres dog. He rode the lift patiently and happily ran alongside his masters down the run. Here in the U.S. the only dogs on the mountain (for safety and liablility reasons) are the ski patrol's avalanche dogs.

I was repeatedly told by the locals that I had happened to have hit the area on the best day of the season. That day the conditions and terrain had Arcalis reminding me of Alta in Utah. High praise indeed. I've thanked him before but I have to acknowledge Tom Raftery's suggestion on this area once again. A memorable day of skiing.

And Ordino is a very nice small mountain village. My wife Sara opted to forego skiing that day (insanity, I know) and visited the village's top notch health club where she enjoyed catching up on her swimming regimen. I'd suggest this scenic village to both skiers and non-skiers alike.

John in San Diego