Nearly into 9th decade of skiing.

 

Aiguille Belvedere in the background determined ski tourer in the foreground.

Peter Folkman is one of the few people who I  have "done" the alps ski and climb classics;  Namely: Mt Blanc,twice, The Matterhorn, The Eiger, then on skis the Vallee Blanche and the Haute Route.  Plus in our case countless other adventures including Britains finest climb : The Old Man of Hoy.

So I was delighted when he announced he was coming out to ski with me.  We would the same template as always: Be flexible and go where the conditions were good on the day and hopefully ski in some areas that Peter hadn't yet visited.  [A challange!]

On our first day we skied at Le Tour and then put the skins on for a journey into Switzerland.  The snow was quite blown and the descents were challanging.  We refuelled with a late lunch at the Appage de Balme which is alawys good.

Peter high above the ski station of Liddes CH

On our second day we headed to the mini resort of Liddes - On the road to the Grand St Bernard.  By mini resort it has one chair one T -Bar and one drag plus some excellent pistes and wonderful ski touring.

It is the sort of resort where you phone to ask what time they open and they reply "What time can you be here.?"

The first time I skied here was quite a few years ago the Chris Chataway in the late 90's - The man who paced Roger Bannister when he broke the 4 minute mile.

Our third day we headed to Les Contamines.  It was cold and clear and the pistes were in immaculate condition.

Looking down on the runway at Megeve

On our final day together we visited Courmayeur.  Again it was cold and the weather was beautiful.  The pistes were in great condition and empty.  We had an excellent lunch at La Chaumiere too.

Stunning skiing in Courmayeur with an impressive backdrop