Introducing Carole MCGREGOR's portfolio

I am based in Saint Beat in the Haute Garonne department of the Midi Pyrenees, sitting on the border of the Val d’Aran in Spain – my village is famous for its marble and has a sculpture festival each year. This area has pretty villages, spa towns, breath-taking scenery, mountains and lakes, little French markets and the friendliest people - it is a hidden little gem. In the summer months you can spend every weekend at a village fete or vide grenier with great music, food and activities. If you love outdoor activities, you have it all here – fishing, golf, horse-riding, rafting, swimming in crystal clear lakes and of course cycling ranging from Tour de France climbs through to km of flat routes next to the Garonne River. Walkers and hikers immediately fall in love with this region, the choice of paths is incredible all with superb views across the mountain tops and through the valleys including the famous GR10. There are 4 downhill and 2 cross country ski resorts in the region: LE MOURTIS - Situated above Saint Beat , at the start of the Val d’Aran and only 1h 30 mins from Toulouse, Le Mourtis is a family friendly ski resort. Located in the heart of a magnificent forest that is home to brown bears, deer and other small animals. Le Mourtis has 23 km of pistes including 8 green, 5 blue, 5 red and 2 black runs ranging between 1380 m and 1816 m altitude. SUPERBAGNERES - Situated above Bagneres de Luchon, the “Queen of the Pyrenees” with an exceptional concentration of peaks over 3000m. The lift from the centre of Luchon allows you to access the slopes of Superbagneres in just 8 minutes. Divided into 3 sectors, Superbagneres offers a wide variety of slopes and a spacious snow park. In total, Superbagneres has 32 km of slopes including 4 green, 11 blue, 7 red and 6 black runs. There is a snow park, cross-country skiing area and places where you can toboggan. Every Wednesday the gondola stays open until 2030 hours. NISTOS - Situated close Valcabrere and St Bertrand de Comminges, Nistos is known as the “Domain of the Gods” and is a magnificent cross-country skiing area at an altitude of between 1600m and 1800m. The resort offers 8 cross country and skating routes and 50 km of snow show trails (1 green, 2 blue, 4 red and 1 black). PEYRAGUDES - Situated just 15 minutes from Bagneres de Luchon, Peyragudes ski resort is split into two areas that, together have 60 km of pistes (5 green, 20 blue, 20 red and 4 black slopes) covering an area of 1500 hectares at an altitude of between 1600m and 2400m. One of the James Bond films starts on top of Peyragudes!! There are 3 circuits for snow shoe walking, ideal for discovering the scenery, wildlife and the magnificent mountains. The resort also has the Vallee Blanche, a fabulous off-piste route consisting of 6km of groomed pistes. BOURG D’OUEIL - Situated just 15 km from Luchon, this small friendly cross-country resort welcomes you in a beautiful mountain valley dominated by Mont Ne. Offering all levels, the resort is ideal for families (1 green, 2 blue, 2 red and 1 black piste). It is super for snow shoe walking and cross-country skiing. BAQUEIRA/BERET (SPAIN) – The best skiing in Europe according to my late husband!! Located in the Val d'Aran the station is 1500 meters and the top of the slopes are 2500m above sea level. There are 4 Valleys: Baqueira, Beret, Bonaigua and Pallars. The resort has 33 lifts (1 cable car, 20 chair lifts, 5 ski lifts and 7 belts) and 69 runs cover 108 km. There is also 7 km of cross-country trails. The ski season lasts from December to April.