©vincentfrasiak Telesiege Oule Vallon Du Portet 08 February 2022 Dsc07392
©nbirrien Hiking Ski Espiaube Hiv21 Col Du Porter Ski De Rando Min
Osole 061saint Lary StationSaint Lary will experience a turning point in its life on September 13, 1944 when a team will be appointed Provisional Municipal Commission with Mr. Vincent Mir at the head. After 3 mandates where this team leads this village to success, despite the end of the war with Germany, difficult economic periods are felt… The 4th mandate beginning on April 26, 1953 will be the beginning of a triumphant era. After several meetings of the Municipal Council, Mr. Vincent Mir decides to bring the project of creation of a ski resort before the Sub-Prefect. Project accepted on January 11, 1954.
From then on, the commune will embark on an epic of works: town hall square, opening of the nursery school, public garden and many others… But this will be especially the beginning of the construction of the departure station of the Pic Lumiere Cable Car.
Osole 083saint Lary Village
Autumn Chapelle Ste Marie Img011
Ice fountain in front of the Fermes de saint lary
Saint Lary Foehnphoto Village
©vincentfrasiak Family Vilage Fontaine Winter 07 February 2022 Dsc07198
In March 1955, it is the purchase of 3 Teleskis from the house POMAGALSKI which will complete the birth of this station.
Following this, Mr. Mayor wishes to manage this commune as well as possible and decides to create in 1956 a Municipal Board for a period of 99 years which will have as a function, among other things, the operation of cable cars, ski lifts, the rental or operation of playgrounds, a campsite, a swimming pool and the management of an information office called “Office of Tourism”.
Arrives the year 1957 and a new era opens for Saint Lary. Here begins the implementation of the cable car, gondola of Soum de Matte and ski lifts of the School, Soum and Ludette.
This is the result of a long epic and a meritorious work, because everything was done on the back of a donkey or horse, roads did not yet exist.
©vincentfrasiak Telesiege Oule Vallon Du Portet 08 February 2022 Dsc07392
View From The Peyraméde TrailThis fourth mandate, coming to an end, Vincent Mir begins a Fifth mandate from March 1959. The previous term had been one of conception and start-up, but the one that was beginning was going to be one of first successes.
Saint Lary, which had become a very popular resort, would become Saint Lary Soulan in 1963. The two villages, that of Saint Lary and that of Soulan will agree to merge and create a single name. The main goal being access. The road will be continued from Soulan to the hamlet of Espiaube and leave towards the Pla d’Adet.From then on, everyone is satisfied, the young people of the village find a job, pastoral life finds a revival of activity, tourism continues to climb and a good number of champions come to train in the station.
In 1965, sixth mandate. New orientations see the light of day like the creation of the Pyrenees National Park, purchase of the thermal springs of Tramezaïgues and putting under study the opening of a thermal center. The network of ski lifts is completed and skiers are delighted with the connection by road. Thus the Pla d’Adet sees its urbanization born with traders, hoteliers etc. In 1969, Saint Lary Soulan will be named as a great French Climatic and Winter Sports Station. This classification will offer the resort opportunities for promotions (France, foreign, Tv …)
The village and the resort of Saint-Lary have never stopped improving their welcome for visitors. High level sportsmen or amateurs, families… People like to spend time here during the ski season or the summer season. The tourist boom in the valley was driven by the creation of the ski resort but the diversity and richness of our valleys are also part of the reputation and appeal of Saint-Lary.
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