Plateau de Beille

Geography

The Plateau de Beille is bounded by two tributaries of the Ariège Valley, these being the Aston to the west, and the Labail stream to the east. The plateau ends at the south by the Col de Finestres at 1,967 metres (6,453 ft) where it passes the GR 10; to the north, the slope falls steeply to the Ariège Valley.

If one considers the whole delimited area, it has benches with an altitude approximately between 1,700–2,000 metres (5,600–6,600 ft), on an area of about 1,450 hectares (3,600 acres).

Geology

The substrate of the plateau is essentially composed of gneiss (gneiss of Riète or Aston), i.e. a granite metamorphosed by plutonic lifts. Formed during the Cenozoic, it suffered a first uprising during the formation of the Pyrenees about 40 to 50 million years ago, various levels between 25 million years and 10 million years ago, then a new uprising. In the Quaternary, its perimeter was determined by deep glacial valleys.

Flora and fauna

The Plateau de Beille is a Zone naturelle d'intérêt écologique, faunistique et floristique [Natural Zone of Ecological Interest, Fauna and Flora] (ZNIEFF) type I. Its habitat consists of short lawns, forests of Pinus uncinata at altitude, a beech-fir forest on its lower slopes, moorland and some bogs. In the bogs are oblong-leaved sundew (Drosera intermedia), round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and bog club moss (Lycopodiella inundata), rare and protected species, but also the marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre) and tussock cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum).

With regard to wildlife, of particular note is the presence of the capercaillie, the golden eagle, the bearded vulture and, for mammals, the European pine marten (Martes martes) and the Pyrenean chamois.

Ski resort

Created in 1988, the Plateau de Beille Nordic ski resort was opened in 1989. The facilities include 70 kilometres (43 mi) of cross-country trails, 42 kilometres (26 mi) of snowshoe trails, a biathlon stadium and a school for dog sledding. In summer activities are organised for, among other things, scooters hauled by sled dogs and discovery walks concering pastoralism. Mountain biking trails follow the route of the cross-country ski slopes. It is a daytime station, with the exception of bivouacs in light structures, which have been implemented from 2007, no accommodation is guaranteed.

With regard to attendance and turnover, in 2008 Beille was the first Nordic ski station in the Pyrenees and the 4th at the French level. For winter 2011, the station recorded 128 days of operations that generated the sale of about 64,667 Nordic days for a turnover of €440,334.

Management is performed by the Régie des Espaces Nordiques des Vallées d'Ax (RENVA) under the tutelage of the Communauté de communes des Vallées d'Ax. The station is a partner with its neighbours of Ax 3 Domaines, Le Chioula and Ascou-Pailhères.

Cycling

The Plateau de Beille is a regular place of various races. It was discovered by the Route du Sud in 1995, followed by the Tour de France in 1998, and every other year constitutes the final mountain for the cyclists of the L'Ariégeoise.

Details of climb

Starting from Les Cabannes at 535 m (1,755 ft), the climb to the Plateau de Beille at 1,790 m (5,870 ft) is 15.8 km (9.8 mi) long. Over this distance, the climb is 1,255 m (4,117 ft) at an average gradient of 7.9%. The maximum gradient is 10.8%.

It is a formidable ascent. The first 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) are generally done under forest canopy and the last 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) are uncovered through the pastures, where cattle sometimes cross the road.

While the valley roads are virtually flat, as soon as leaving the central square of Les Cabannes, riders face a very steep ramp to arrive at the height of the Château de Gudanes (commune of Château-Verdun). During the first kilometres, the tar road surface is smooth but then becomes granular, which adds to the difficulty. The forest offers very little respite, the slope is high and regular with many hairpins and it is during the 6th kilometre where it is possible to traverse a flat section of about 400 metres (1,300 ft). The percentages are often higher than 8%; the 9th kilometre, preceding Henry IV fountain, is one of the steepest sections.

After leaving the forest, the percentages are slightly lower but more irregular. At the 12th kilometre, it passes the Cabanne de Pierrefite with a short flat part followed by a difficult break in gradient. After having crossed a hairpin a little further up the road, the final section offers a moderate slope and the finish takes place at the large car park outside the building of the ski station, at an altitude of 1,790 metres (5,870 ft).

Tour de France

Since its discovery by the Tour de France in 1998, the Plateau de Beille has served as stage finish five times (in 1998, 2002, 2004, 2007 and 2011). The ascent is ranked as hors catégorie in the mountains classification. The Tour de France returned to the Plateau de Beille for stage 12, on 16 July 2015.

On the first four occasions, the stage winner has gone on to win the Tour: Marco Pantani in 1998, Lance Armstrong in 2002 and 2004 (but whose titles were removed from him in October 2012), and Alberto Contador in 2007 who won the Tour de France as a result of the exclusion of the Danish Michael Rasmussen.

*The 1998 Tour de France finish was at 1,747 m (5,732 ft) whereas in later years the finish has been at 1,780 m (5,840 ft).

Route du Sud

The Plateau de Beille has also been used seven times for a stage finish of the Route du Sud.

Gallery