The Right Echo See you later with Cat

Updated on 21 August 2026

CAT

My name is Catherine, but everyone here calls me Cat, or sometimes Di – for those close to me who love to hear my Belgian accent. As the heart is stronger than reason, I left my country 20 years ago to follow a Toy – a lad from the valley who introduced me to the Pyrenees. I was in good company for a few weeks’ stay, but little did I know I’d never leave!

Do we know each other?We can use ‘you’ informally

Sign

Trout

Mascot

Isard

Ritual

Fitness wake-up

Leisure

Hiking, Skiing

Gourmet delights

Cold cuts

Secret

Viewing Luz from the peaks

Experience the mountains at your own pace

I’m an active, lively sort of person, and I live in tune with the mountain seasons. There’s no shortage of things to do round here: mountain biking, hiking, skiing…

Between walks, exploring the local area and sporting activities, there’s always something new to discover since I moved to the region.

Living in the mountains means sharing simple moments that blend sporting adventures with life as a mum. Between outdoor excursions, bursts of laughter and the changing seasons, I draw my energy every day from the natural world around us. Here, every moment becomes an opportunity to be active, explore and grow together.

Here are my three little joys of motherhood.

My top 3 favourites Awakening the Senses Sport, family, cooking

1 | Forget your cosy jumper For the slopes

Winter is my favourite season.

As well as slipping into my cosiest fleece pyjamas in front of a crackling fire, I love strapping on my skis as soon as the first snow falls, hitting the slopes with my daughter and husband, or setting off at dawn for a ski tour just the two of us. The silence of a climb through powder snow, the sun rising over the ridges, the descent back down to the village… these are moments that nothing can replace. Every winter is different, but the magic remains the same.
In fact, if you want to experience the wilderness beyond the marked beginners’ trails, hire a guide who’ll take you to off-the-beaten-track spots for a truly exhilarating experience.

So, when I arrived, I quickly joined the team at a ski resort where, for five years, I immersed myself in the charm of mountain life: the frosty mornings when the snow groomers finish their night-time dance, the atmosphere of the evenings with the seasonal workers, and the first laughter of holidaymakers at the sight of fresh snow.
I flourished in their company, soaked up their enthusiasm, and, with our feet in the snow, shared my love for life here!

Luz-Ardiden resort
26 mins from Luz

Station

2 | The mountain A family story

The mountains are even better when you share them!

For us, the mountains are a family affair. My husband is a ski instructor, a job he carries out with enthusiasm every season.
As well as teaching holidaymakers, he devotes part of his working hours to coaching young competitive skiers at a local club. Together, we share this love of sport, snow and nature. And we try to pass this on to our 15-year-old daughter, who is growing up here, in the heart of the mountains. She’s been skiing since she was very young and knows every run, every trail and every corner of the valley. We want to instil in her this sense of freedom, this awareness of the fragile beauty of our environment, and this desire to live simply, in harmony with nature.

3 | Cooking Shared

A land of fine food and sharing!

At home, the mountain spirit is reflected in my cooking. I love working with local produce: cheeses from the mountain pastures, artisanal cured meats, local honey, seasonal vegetables… and Barèges-Gavarnie PDO lamb, reared free-range in the high-altitude meadows. Its finely marbled meat is infused with the scents of the mountains (wild thyme, liquorice…)
On Mondays, whenever I can, I pop down to the market to fill my basket, catching up with local producers after a quick stop at the butcher’s on the way.
Cooking is an invitation to enjoy each other’s company after a gruelling day’s skiing. We gather round a good meal, share, laugh and talk about the next day: hiking, outings, skiing…