Castle, France

The day was overcast and occasional rain showers.

After a trip to the supermarket and lunch M-J, Chris and I headed out the back to a local landmark a castle on a small hill behind that we passed on the way to Hauteluce.

We walked up behind the chalet to the village above, then up the track towards the EDF hydro plant.

From here up a VTT trail against the descending parties, leaping into the side as they charged passed. Then into a meadow above, before turning up the driveway to the castle.

The castle actually turned into a chapel, with a defensive tower

Then back down the same way

Grand Mont, France

A tradition has transpired over the last few visits and today would continue that ... We set off for a mass ascent of Grand Mont..  A trip up the chairs and then the two drags to the top of the Areches ski area. I noticed on the way up that the return to the top chair station was closed and we would have to make a slight uphill step on the return to avoid taking another drag ride and putting pressure on the time available on the lift passes.

Top of the ski area and skins on ... We headed up to the col. On the way up Katie was having trouble slipping, and knowing we would be on harder snow higher up, she put on some ski crampons ... problem resolved ... she was much more comfortable, even taking the turns in her stride.

Up on the boulder plateau we could see parties all over the hill ...  we just took a middle way and worked up towards the ridge line ahead,

For a change this time we headed up what we would normally use as the descent line ... today it was the main highway. It got a little steep and the snow hard packed ... time for Dom to struggle with slippage, but she managed without putting on the crampons.

From the top of this gully we could see over to the main top ...  just the "bad step" in the way.

The step was not too bad ...  just a slight turn around a rock in a narrow section and some downhill skinning.

Then a short section up to the top.

The summit ... hard packed snow and icy sections ...  with a biting wind.

We posed for a number of photos, Dom took a 360 video and also photos from the wireless masts. Then a bite to eat before preparing for the descent.

With the wind and hard snow, I gave a warning to the girls that this would not be a good place to loose a ski, and to hold on to the leashes until their feet were safely locked in.

Not two minutes later in a party on the other side of the path dropped a ski and whoosh it was over the edge and into the  void - gone forever.

Everyone was shocked, and Katie moved down to a flatter area to ensure there was no mistake.

Then we were off ...  down to the "bad step" ... here we took two lines .. with some of us walking around, and others sliding across.

Now for the really fun bit .... the couloir with the light powder on a heavy base.

then the schuss through the boulder plateau.

Before long we were back at the col, preparing for the traverse to the piste.

Down the piste as we did on the first day, except as we go to the top of the lower drag lift we took a turn up the connection path to the top drag ... here going the wrong way up a one way street, I stuck to the side and was soon riding the stones, then in a heap trying to avoid a large party coming down.

The upper chair section was worse than last time, the steep section was full of loose stones, scratching the ski bases.

Then the chair ride to the bottom.... and back to the chalet for a up of tea.

Le Plannay, France

The forecast for today was not the wall to wall sun shine we had been enjoying for the first two days ... so it was a reduced party that set off for some reconnaissance ...

First to see how far the road to the col de Rosalind was open -  not far just to the end of the canyon.

Second to the col du Pre ..  closed at the usual spot well below the snow line....

These not offering a chance to get to snow without a long walk and carry we took the last option and headed for Le Plannay and the man made snow ribbon.

There was plenty of space in the car park, and not just because we got there at noon.

The beginners slope was nearly empty as the classes had stopped for lunch and we headed up to the blue run.

As the run got steeper we lost Katie to a bad headache. Steph, Chris and I continued onwards up the snow ribbon .. crossing several times to limit the steepness and retain composure.

After gaining over 500m of height we arrived at the beginning of the second stage lift...  the first stage was still well above us. There air was filled with snow flurries - not much but enough to persuade us to take a break and have a late lunch on the wood pile behind the lift station.

As the weather was not getting better (it was not worse either), but wearing enthusiasm got the better and we turned for the valley.

Down the man made stuff ... less rocks than the last two days.

Back to the base, and to meet up with Katie at the van - she had been off to see the Lamas.

the trial board told the grim story of the resorts this Christmas.

Tete du Cuvy, France

Down the side of the resort at Areches, they have created a kind of permanent trail to snow shoe/ skin up.
There are two jumping off points at the top of the first section of lifts or the second section. We took the lower option and bought a one up ticket - we had noticed you do not need a pass to get back down again!

We walked over towards the ski de fond area (or where it would be if there was enough snow) .. and got ready to go up the track, which at the start looked not too bad ..  plenty of traffic had packed the snow down and kept it from melting.

Up the open pasture to the trees and then through the woods besides the lower part of the piste.

As this came out towards the top of the last steep section before the station it got very bare ...  grass skinning.

Then it was up the piste ..  the steep rocky bit from yesterday..   we had to cross over a couple f times to keep from slipping on the hard snow.

the track should have gone into the woods on the other side but it was bare so we stuck to the piste for a while.

When we came out of the steep we cut over to the right and went through one of the usual "play grounds" and headed up to the ridge.

As we forced a track up through it got steeper, but also the snow became less consolidated and more corn like.

The turns got harder as the foot stability became less sure.. but after a few anxious moments we were all up the main slope and back into the woods round the other side of the ridge.

The top point was occupied so we passed on (down a green meadow) and up to the next summit..  where there was a view point and very convenient point for lunch with Mont Blanc as the backdrop.

Another green section and we were back onto the top play ground below the second lift station - a simpler climb with only a small sting in the tail.

From here it was back down the route from yesterday to the top of the bottom section of lifts and a ride down to the valley.

At the top we had played around with automatic picture facilities .. still a little rushed!