We have been heading up the Aiguille du Midi and ski touring over to the Helbronner for coffee. The coffee is great and inexpensive and we have been building up some fitness at the same time. The skiing down the Vallee Noir has also been in brilliant condition with chalky snow and no bumps. The 517 steps from the ice cave at Montenvers up to the gondola to reach the train have assisted with the fitness regime. Read on…
Normally skiers are confined by piste markers and restrained by barriers. We have been lucky enough to see and capture on camera some skiers playing in the wilderness of their natural habitat. When the weather is inclement they can usually be found in the trees where the visibility is better but when the sun comes out they can be seen in the open slopes of the mountain. One can occasionally hear the distinctive “Whoop whoop!” of a skier which is a sign of excitement. Read on…
After the overnight dump of snow Chamonix ski domains were all saying “More information at…” regarding opening. We opted for St Gervais. The sun shone and the powder was deep. What a fab day out of the valley. They say … Read on…
After almost an hour to get up the Flegere cable car (Brevent cable car is broken this week) we did a warm up run and met up with Jen and Darryl. The four of us then set off for the … Read on…
We found we had a day skiing to ourselves and so headed up the Aiguille du Midi for a recce of the Vallee Blanche. The ridge is still only partially equipped so there were very few people skiing off. Temperatures were super cold. Crampons are definitely an advantage for walking down the ridge at the moment as the going is rough. Read on…
The super cold temperatures have kept the snow in fantastic condition even on the south facing slopes of Brevent and Flegere. One has to work a little harder each descent to find the untracked stuff but there is plenty out there to go round. More snow due on Wednesday of this week, our day off, bring it on. Read on…
Considering yesterday we were at the same place skiing in poor visibility, what a difference a little sunshine makes. Domaine de Balme has so much terrain to go at we were putting fresh tracks in all day. Even some cheeky pitches right beside the drag lifts. Some areas are not quite as well filled in as last season yet and we did some combat skiing too. Read on…
Yesterdays snowfall and that which fell overnight saw the avalanche risk settle at 4. Grands Montets had delayed opening and Brevent/Flegere had limited opening. We just managed to drive up to Le Tour without snowchains and (strangely) we were the only vehicle in the carpark (which was in the process of being dug out).
Some of the off piste was wind affected but there was plenty of scope for some fresh tracks. The weather came and went along with visibility and wind. By midday the wind had picked up enough to make the back chair unpleasant signalling that a coffee was overdue. Still plenty of lines to go at! Read on…
The up was firm and the couteau were invaluable, especially on the traverse over to the Col de Rachasses which was super exposed to the wind. For comparatively little effort to get up there I have to say that the ski down was fantastic. The couloirs were full of blown in snow and in amazing condition. Read on…
