Tuesday was similarly warm, and after an epic descent of the Face in knee deep slushy bumps at 10am we headed up the Solaise side of Val D'Isere for a run down the Cugnai valley. This gave some good spring snow, and an interesting & adventurous exit involving a river crossing, breakable crust, and a close call with an early-closing Machet chairlift!
Wednesday came with the promise of a good refreeze overnight, and cold temperatures first thing in the morning at Le Fornet backed this up. we enjoyed a gentle cruise on softening spring snow to the Pont de la Neige and donned skins to go in search of good snow & maybe a summit too.
Leaving the crowds to the Col des Fours we made for the Ouille des Tretetes, and a great panorama from the summit with not a soul around.
The ski down far exceeded expectations, with some wind-drifted powder filling the slight gullies and providing some very pleasant skiing:
Thursday was cloudy & snowy all day, so we had a focussed technical day on & around the Grande Motte area, with the odd foray off piste when the visibility cleared momentarily...
Friday dawned with a mixed forecast, and with cloud, snow & -12C at the top of the funicular at 9.30 expectations were low, but after a warm-up run it was clear there was some sunshine to be found and we set off down through thinning cloud on the Leisse shoulder, finding some great spring snow covered by a dusting of fresh:
Leisse shoulder in the background:
Skinning up to Col 3015:
Trevor, Georgina, Claire, Keith & Pip on the col:
Great spring snow:
And it keeps on coming... 500m vertical down to the valley floor for a picnic in the sun:
A (very) warm skin took us back up to the Leisse chair, to rejoin the crowds on piste down in to Val Claret for a well-earned refreshment!
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