{{Short description|Winter sports resort in the French Pyrenees}} {{Infobox ski area | name = Artouste | logo = | logo_width = <!--Default is 150px--> | picture = File:Téléphérique d'Artouste vue 15.JPG | caption = The Artouste gondola lift with a view over the Lac de Fabrèges | location = Laruns, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France | nearest_city = Pau | opening_date = | coordinates = {{coord|42.897565|-0.396090|type:landmark_region:FR|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | pushpin_map = France#France Nouvelle-Aquitaine#Pyrenees | pushpin_relief = y | top_elevation = {{convert|2100|m|ft|abbr=on}} | base_elevation = {{convert|1350|m|ft|abbr=on}} | number_trails = 20 | longest_run = | total_length = {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} | liftsystem = | lift_capacity = | snowmaking = | nightskiing = | external_link = {{URL|https://www.artouste.fr/}} }}
'''Artouste''', or '''Artouste-Fabrèges''', (Occitan: ''Artosta e Habrèjas'') is a winter sports resort in the French Pyrenees. It is located in the commune of Laruns in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques and the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The resort operates the Petit train d'Artouste during the summer period. In the face of climate change, the resort is also developing ancillary activities to compensate for an expected lack of snow in winter.
==Geography== Artouste is located in the high Béarn, in the Ossau Valley, near the Lac de Fabrèges. The resort is located in the heart of the Natura 2000 site of the {{ill|Massif de Ger|fr}}. Artouste is located southwest of the ski resort of Gourette and is about {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the France–Spain border north of Formigal. The resort of Artouste is accessible by road. The resort can be reached via the RD 431 and the RD 934 roads, which connect Laruns to the Col du Pourtalet and Spain.
==History== The Lac d'Artouste was discovered at the end of the nineteenth century, by {{ill|Ludovic Gaurier|fr}}. The discovery attracted the ''Société hydroélectrique du Midi'', which wanted to use the lake for a hydroelectric power station.
===Hydroelectric power and railways=== [[File:Artouste Téléférique.jpg|thumb|right|The Petit train d'Artouste with the Pic du Midi d'Ossau during the early 20th century]] With the aim of building a hydroelectric dam at the Lac d'Artouste, the Compagnie des chemins de fer du Midi built a railway between La Sagette and the construction site in 1920. The dam was completed in 1929. In the 1930s, the Artouste estate was opened to tourism via the Petit train d'Artouste, which utilised the railway line.
===Skiing=== In 1966, the commune of Laruns undertook the creation of a downhill ski resort at Artouste. The station, initially called Artouste-La Sagette, was inaugurated on 15 December 1967.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chronique en blanc|language=French|trans-title=Chronicle in white|work=Sud-Ouest|issue=7242|date=8 December 1967|page=20}}</ref> The commune managed the resort from its opening. In view of a chronic financial deficit, management of the resort was entrusted to an outside organisation in 1978. In 1984, the village of Fabrèges was created on the shores of the Lac de Fabrèges, at an altitude of {{convert|1250|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Fabrèges is located at the base of the Sagette gondola lift leading to the resort.
====The revival of the resort==== In 2006, the resort was declared bankrupt and was taken over. In 2019, after a year of litigation, an agreement was reached between the commune of Laruns and the resort operator. On 1 April 2019, the commune of Laruns took over the direct management of the resort and the Petit train d'Artouste.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sudouest.fr/pyrenees-atlantiques/laruns/artouste-la-ville-de-laruns-reprend-la-gestion-de-la-station-de-ski-et-du-petit-train-2824224.php|title=Artouste : la ville de Laruns reprend la gestion de la station de ski et du Petit Train|language=French|trans-title=Artouste: the town of Laruns takes over the management of the ski resort and the Petit Train|first1=Odile|last1=Faure|first2=Joëlle|last2=Bruneau|work=Sud Ouest|date=8 February 2019|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/economie-social/la-station-de-ski-d-artouste-la-commune-de-laruns-reprend-la-main-1549910389|title=Gestion de la station de ski d'Artouste : la commune de Laruns reprend la main|language=French|trans-title=Management of the Artouste ski resort: the commune of Laruns takes back control|first=Marie-Line|last=Napias|work=France Bleu|date=12 February 2019|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/pyrenees-atlantiques/bearn/commune-laruns-reprend-exploitation-station-ski-artouste-1621417.html|title=La commune de Laruns reprend l'exploitation de la station de ski d'Artouste|language=French|trans-title=The municipality of Laruns takes over the operation of the Artouste ski resort|first1=Hélène|last1=Chauwin|first2=Elise|last2=Daycard|work=France Info|date=8 February 2019|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> Since then, the resort's management has been coordinating the creation of new all-weather activities. In June 2019, the resort became the first resort in the Pyrenees to offer mountain karting,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sudouest.fr/pyrenees-atlantiques/laruns/artouste-64-nouveau-depart-et-nouveaux-tarifs-2416578.php|title=Artouste (64) : nouveau départ et nouveaux tarifs|language=French|trans-title=Artouste (64): new start and new prices|first=Joëlle|last=Bruneau|work=Sud Ouest|date=22 November 2019|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> an activity already present in the French Alps.
==Sport and leisure== ===Winter activities=== thumb|right|The gondola lift departure station, in Fabrèges The ski resort of Artouste is located on the massif of the Pic de la Sagette, and connected to the Lac de Fabrèges by the Sagette gondola lift. It is necessary to take another lift to access the snowpark at {{convert|2100|m|ft|abbr=on}}, the summit of the resort. The resort is organised into four sectors, catering for skiers from beginner to expert.
===Summer activities=== ====The Petit train d'Artouste and hiking trails==== The resort is known for its train running at an altitude of around {{convert|2000|m|ft|abbr=on}}, which is the highest narrow-gauge railway in Europe,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231105-the-train-dartouste-europes-highest-narrow-gauge-train|title=The Train d'Artouste: Europe's highest narrow-gauge train|work=BBC Travel|date=5 November 2023|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> and operates from the top of the Sagette gondola lift to the Lac d'Artouste on {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} of track. During the summer months of 2024, it carried more than 112,000 passengers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/pme-regions/nouvelle-aquitaine/dans-les-pyrenees-la-commune-de-laruns-rachete-le-petit-train-touristique-dartouste-2116527|title=Dans les Pyrénées, la commune de Laruns rachète le petit train touristique d'Artouste|language=French|trans-title=In the Pyrenees, the commune of Laruns buys the little tourist train of Artouste|first=Frank|last=Niedercorn|work=Les Echos|date=3 September 2024|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> From the end of the railway line at the Lac d'Artouste, several hiking routes are available to visitors, including towards the GR 10 hiking route.
====Cycling==== The resort hosted the finish of stage 3 of the {{ill|Tour of the Pyrenean Piedmont|lt=Tour of the Pyrenean Piedmont|fr|Tour du Piémont pyrénéen}} in 2023<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/sport/cyclisme/cyclisme-charles-paige-remporte-un-tour-du-piemont-pyreneen-so-british-16260848.php|title=Cyclisme : Charles Paige remporte un Tour du Piémont Pyrénéen so british|language=French|trans-title=Cycling: Charles Paige wins a very British Tour of the Pyrenean Piedmont|first=Patrick|last=Peyre|work=La République des Pyrénées|date=13 August 2023|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> and 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/pyrenees-atlantiques/pau/tour-du-piemont-pyreneen-victoire-a-artouste-et-maillot-jaune-pour-baptiste-poulard-sur-la-3e-etape-samedi-20454190.php|title=Tour du Piémont Pyrénéen : victoire à Artouste et maillot jaune pour Baptiste Poulard sur la 3e étape samedi|language=French|trans-title=Tour of the Pyrenean Piedmont: victory in Artouste and yellow jersey for Baptiste Poulard on the 3rd stage on Saturday|first=Claude|last=Jouanserre|work=La République des Pyrénées|date=7 July 2024|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref>
Artouste was also the host of the Young Mountain Biker Trophy in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/sport/cyclisme/trophee-du-jeune-vetetiste-d-artouste-voici-les-classements-4975231.php|title=Trophée du jeune vététiste d'Artouste : voici les classements|language=French|trans-title=Artouste Young Mountain Biker Trophy: here are the rankings|first=Pascal|last=Baudron|work=La République des Pyrénées|date=6 June 2015|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref>
====Mountain karting==== Artouste was the host of the 2021 Mountain Kart World Championship.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/culture-et-loisirs/randonnee/le-mountain-kart-au-sommet-du-monde-a-artouste-5313490.php|title=Le mountain kart au sommet du monde à Artouste|language=French|trans-title=Mountain karting at the top of the world in Artouste|first=Pierre|last=Thevenet|work=La République des Pyrénées|date=22 August 2021|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sudouest.fr/pyrenees-atlantiques/laruns/artouste-va-accueillir-le-championnat-du-monde-de-mountain-kart-5042792.php|title=Artouste va accueillir le championnat du monde de Mountain kart|language=French|trans-title=Artouste to host the Mountain Kart World Championship|first=Romain|last=Bely|work=Sud Ouest|date=15 August 2021|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref>
====Other summer activities==== According to forecasts by the Pyrenean Climate Change Observatory, the snow will be half as thick by the early 2050s. In addition, a month less of snow is expected. To cope with this, the resort has invested in other activities such as a mountain go-kart track, zip line, water sports facilities and a wellness area.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/environnement/changements-climatiques-a-artouste-dans-les-pyrenees-la-station-de-ski-s-adapte-face-au-manque-de-neige-7030389|title=Climat : à Artouste, dans les Pyrénées, la station de ski s'adapte face au manque de neige|language=French|trans-title=Climate: in Artouste, in the Pyrenees, the ski resort is adapting to the lack of snow|first=Oanna|last=Favennec|work=France Bleu|date=3 February 2023|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/economie/tourisme/pyrenees-artouste-se-mouille-pour-les-animations-d-ete-11419914.php|title=Pyrénées : Artouste se mouille pour les animations d’été|language=French|trans-title=Pyrenees: Artouste gets wet for summer activities|first=Bénédicte|last=Mallet|work=La République des Pyrénées|date=26 June 2022|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref>
==Projects and controversies== In 2016, the resort decided to renovate its gondola lifts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/climat-environnement/photos-telecabine-d-artouste-ca-marche-1483124485|title=PHOTOS - Télécabine d'Artouste : ça marche !|language=French|trans-title=PHOTOS - Artouste gondola: it works!|first=Jeanne-Marie|last=Marco|work=France Bleu|date=30 December 2016|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> This was expected to cost €5.5 million<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/pyrenees-atlantiques/laruns/dossier-l-avenir-de-la-station-de-ski-d-artouste-suspendu-a-un-cable-4962347.php|title=[Dossier] L'avenir de la station de ski d'Artouste suspendu à un câble|language=French|trans-title=[Dossier] The future of the Artouste ski resort hanging on a cable|first=Laurent|last=Vissuzaine|work=La République des Pyrénées|date=17 September 2015|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> for the commune of Laruns, the owner of the gondola. Since 2013, the resort has been considering the creation of an artificial ski slope in order to have an alternative to snow cannons. In 2024, during debates within the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in order to grant a budget to this project, The Ecologists' elected representatives contested it on the basis of potential harm to the fauna and flora of a Natura 2000 classified site.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/environnement/artouste-pourra-t-on-bientot-skier-toute-l-annee-sur-une-piste-artificielle-6047772|title=Artouste : des élus écologistes s’opposent au projet de piste synthétique pour pouvoir skier l’été |language=French|trans-title=Artouste: ecologist elected officials oppose the project of a synthetic slope to be able to ski in the summer|first1=Dimitri|last1=Morgado|first2=Yannick|last2=Damont|work=France Bleu|date=2 May 2024|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/environnement/le-projet-de-piste-artificielle-a-artouste-fait-tousser-les-verts-a-la-region-19528471.php|title=Pyrénées : pourquoi le projet de piste synthétique à Artouste fait tousser les Verts|language=French|trans-title=Pyrenees: why the artificial ski slope project in Artouste is making the Greens cough|work=La République des Pyrénées|date=1 May 2024|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.liberation.fr/environnement/pollution/ski-dete-dans-les-pyrenees-la-subvention-publique-dune-piste-en-plastique-fait-bondir-les-defenseurs-du-climat-20240518_MGVHZABQCFCWVPINMM4XZZRXE4/|title=Ski d’été : dans les Pyrénées, la subvention publique d’une piste en plastique fait bondir les défenseurs du climat|language=French|trans-title=Summer skiing: in the Pyrenees, the public subsidy for a plastic slope makes climate defenders jump|first=Zoé|last=Moreau|work=Libération|date=18 May 2024|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tf1info.fr/environnement-ecologie/piste-de-ski-en-plastique-dans-les-pyrenees-le-projet-de-la-station-artouste-laruns-echauffe-les-esprits-2300430.html|title=Dans les Pyrénées, une piste de ski en plastique échauffe les esprits|language=French|trans-title=In the Pyrenees, a plastic ski slope heats up people's minds|first=Marianne|last=Enault|work=TF1 Info|date=22 May 2024|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> Elected officials described the resort as a "Disneyland Mountain".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/pyrenees-atlantiques/pau/une-montagne-disneyland-polemique-autour-d-une-piste-artificielle-permettant-de-skier-sans-neige-prevue-dans-une-zone-natura-2000-2970023.html|title="Une montagne Disneyland" : polémique autour d'une piste artificielle, permettant de skier sans neige, prévue dans une zone Natura 2000|language=French|trans-title="A Disneyland mountain": controversy around an artificial slope, allowing skiing without snow, planned in a Natura 2000 area|first=Alicia|last=Girardeau|work=France Info|date=15 May 2024|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> For a long time, there has been discussion of a better physical link between Gourette and Artouste,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sudouest.fr/pyrenees-atlantiques/gourette/pyrenees-les-stations-de-gourette-et-artouste-seront-elles-liees-2945222.php|title=Pyrénées : les stations de Gourette et Artouste seront-elles liées ?|language=French|trans-title=Pyrenees: will the resorts of Gourette and Artouste be linked?|first=Joëlle|last=Bruneau|work=Sud Ouest|date=3 October 2018|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/economie-social/un-collectif-de-la-liaison-artouste-gourette-lance-une-petition-pour-la-construction-de-la-1527008721|title=Un collectif de la liaison Artouste-Gourette lance une pétition pour relier les deux domaines|language=French|trans-title=A collective of the Artouste-Gourette link launches a petition to link the two areas|first=Axelle|last=Labbé|work=France Bleu|date=23 May 2018|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> to improve upon the off-piste route that already connects the two ski areas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/culture-et-loisirs/randonnee/gourette-artouste-a-ski-tout-savoir-sur-cette-traversee-mythique-5054542.php|title=Gourette-Artouste à ski : tout savoir sur cette traversée mythique|language=French|trans-title=Gourette-Artouste on skis: everything you need to know about this mythical crossing|first=Laurence|last=Fleury|work=La République des Pyrénées|date=27 February 2017|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref> Other projects are currently being studied to revitalise the resort in winter, in particular to improve its position on ski mountaineering and snowshoeing. The creation of a second zip line and the installation of a summer toboggan were also considered.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/pyrenees-atlantiques/pau/video-tyrolienne-kart-luge-sur-rails-la-station-d-artouste-mise-de-plus-en-plus-sur-le-tourisme-estival-2829122.html|title=VIDÉO. Tyrolienne, kart, luge sur rails... la station d'Artouste mise de plus en plus sur le tourisme estival|language=French|trans-title=VIDEO. Zip line, go-kart, toboggan on rails... the resort of Artouste is betting more and more on summer tourism|first1=Valentin|last1=Pasquier|first2=Jean|last2=Poustis|work=France Info|date=24 August 2023|accessdate=8 September 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.artouste.fr/ Official site]
Category:Ski stations in France Category:Tourist attractions in Pyrénées-Atlantiques