Plateau de Beille, Mountain pass and winter sports center in Ariège, France.
Plateau de Beille is a winter sports site in the Pyrenees located in Ariège that sits at altitudes between roughly 1800 and 2000 meters. The location features a network of Nordic skiing trails and training facilities for winter athletes.
The plateau originally served as grazing land for Gascon cattle herds before transitioning to winter sports use. This shift occurred as winter tourism expanded in the Pyrenees region during the latter half of the 20th century.
The plateau serves as a training ground for regional winter athletes who regularly compete in various sports disciplines. The presence of these competitors shapes the activity and purpose of the site throughout the colder months.
The site is accessible via road D522 from Les Cabannes, with shuttle services available from Tarascon on weekends and holidays during winter. The best time to visit is in the colder months when snow cover is reliable and the facilities are fully operational.
The plateau was selected multiple times as a finish line for mountain stages of the Tour de France, bringing attention from cyclists and spectators worldwide. These races tested the endurance and climbing ability of professional riders on its steep terrain.
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