Luz Ardiden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Luz Ardiden |
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 Luz Ardiden
Location in France
Luz Ardiden
Location in Occitanie
Luz Ardiden
Location in Pyrenees
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| Location | Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Hautes-Pyrénées, Occitanie, France |
| Nearest city | Pau |
| Coordinates | 42°53′8″N 0°3′41″W / 42.88556°N 0.06139°W |
| Top elevation | 2,500 m (8,200 ft) |
| Base elevation | 1,680 m (5,510 ft) |
| Runs | 26 |
| Lift system | 15 |
Luz Ardiden is a cool ski resort nestled in the Pyrenees mountains. It's located in a part of France called the Hautes-Pyrénées department, within the Occitanie Region. This ski area sits high up, about 1,720 meters (5,643 feet) above sea level, and first opened its slopes on January 16, 1975.
The road leading to Luz Ardiden has also become famous because it's often used as a finish line for big bike races like the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España.
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Where is Luz Ardiden?
Luz Ardiden is found in the northern part of the Ardiden mountain range in the Pyrenees. The ski resort is quite high up, with altitudes ranging from 1,680 meters (5,512 feet) to 2,500 meters (8,202 feet). It's about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) by road from the town of Luz-Saint-Sauveur.
How Luz Ardiden Started
The idea for a ski resort at Luz Ardiden began in 1966. Local leaders from five nearby towns – Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Grust, Sazos, Sassis, and Viscos – worked together to make it happen. Construction started in 1970 with the building of a road from Grust. The ski resort officially opened its first section, called Béderet, on January 16, 1975. The Aulian area was added the very next season.
The Challenging Climb
The bike climb to Luz Ardiden is quite a challenge! It starts in Luz-Saint-Sauveur, which is at 710 meters (2,329 feet) above sea level. From there, cyclists climb all the way up to 1,720 meters (5,643 feet) at Luz Ardiden.
This climb is 14.7 kilometers (9.1 miles) long. Riders gain a total of 1,010 meters (3,314 feet) in height, which means the road goes up steeply, with an average slope of 6.9%. The steepest parts can be as much as 10% uphill!
Famous Cycling Races
Luz Ardiden has been a popular finish line for stages in two of the world's biggest cycling races: the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España.
Tour de France Finishes
The Tour de France has ended stages at Luz Ardiden several times. Here are the details of those exciting races:
| Year | Stage | Category | Start of stage | Distance | Stage winner | Yellow jersey | Ref |
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| 2021 | 18 | HC | Pau | 129.7 km (80.6 mi) |  Tadej Pogačar (SLO) |
Tadej Pogačar (SLO) |
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| 2011 | 12 | HC | Cugnaux | 211.0 km (131.1 mi) |  Samuel Sánchez (ESP) |
 Thomas Voeckler (FRA) |
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| 2003 | 15 | HC | Bagnères de Bigorre | 159.5 km (99.1 mi) |  |
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| 2001 | 14 | HC | Tarbes | 144 km (89 mi) | Roberto Laiseka (ESP) |
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| 1994 | 12 | HC | Lourdes | 204.5 km (127.1 mi) | Richard Virenque (FRA) |
Miguel Indurain (ESP) |
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| 1990 | 16 | HC | Blagnac | 215 km (134 mi) | Miguel Indurain (ESP) |
 Claudio Chiappucci (ITA) |
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| 1988 | 15 | HC | Saint-Girons | 187.5 km (116.5 mi) | Laudelino Cubino Gonzalez (ESP) |
Pedro Delgado (ESP) |
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| 1987 | 14 | HC | Pau | 166 km (103 mi) |  Dag Otto Lauritzen (NOR) |
Charly Mottet (FRA) |
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| 1985 | 17 | HC | Toulouse | 209.5 km (130.2 mi) | Pedro Delgado (ESP) |
Bernard Hinault (FRA) |
Exciting Moments in the Tour de France
The climb to Luz Ardiden has seen some unforgettable moments in the Tour de France.
In the 1985 Tour de France, during Stage 17, a famous event happened. Cyclist Greg LeMond was far ahead with a rival. His team boss and coach told him to slow down, saying his teammate Bernard Hinault was close behind. LeMond waited, but then realized he had been tricked; Hinault was actually much further back! Hinault went on to win that year's Tour.
During the 1990 Tour de France, Claudio Chiappucci was surprisingly leading the race. On Stage 16, which finished at Luz Ardiden, Miguel Induráin won the stage. This strong performance by LeMond on Luz Ardiden helped him secure his third Tour de France victory.
In the 2003 Tour de France, something dramatic occurred. As Lance Armstrong started the climb to Luz Ardiden, he crashed after his handlebar got caught on a spectator's bag strap. Another rider, Iban Mayo, also fell. Jan Ulrich, who was right behind them, showed great sportsmanship by slowing down to wait for them to get back up. Armstrong eventually won that Tour by a very small amount of time.
Vuelta a España Finishes
Luz Ardiden has also hosted stage finishes for the Vuelta a España, another major cycling race.
| Year | Stage | Category | Start of stage | Distance | Stage winner | GC leader | Ref |
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| 1995 | 17 | HC | Naut Aran | 179 km (111 mi) | Laurent Jalabert | Laurent Jalabert | |
| 1992 | 9 | HC | Vielha | 144 km (89 mi) | Laudelino Cubino | Jesus Montoya |
See also
In Spanish: Luz-Ardiden para niños
- List of highest paved roads in Europe
- List of mountain passes
