There has been a lot of snow in the Alps. It has thoughtfully consolidated itself into an excellent base, which, combined with largely stable weather and the occasional replenishing snowfall, has produced conditions that are—on balance—rather good. John Young, arrived at exactly the right time.
Monday
We headed to Combloux. It was quiet, the sky was blue, and fresh snow clung photogenically to the trees. In short: perfect. We skied off the back of the resort down to Le Plan. The snow began as impeccable, before evolving—thanks to a change in aspect—into a charming sun crust that encouraged some interpretive skiing. We sensibly skied around to north-facing slopes and were rewarded with a proper run through untracked powder in the trees. Returning to the lift system, we stopped for lunch at Bon Journal, which was efficient in the way one hopes lunch always will be.
Tuesday
Under more beautiful weather, we went to La Flégère, where ski mountaineers were out in force. We exited the gondola, turned left, and immediately achieved the rare luxury of solitude for the rest of the day. From the top of Le Brévent, we traversed the ridge and, just before the Col du Brévent, dropped onto north-facing slopes. While not entirely untracked, there was more than enough space to enjoy ourselves without social interaction.
We eventually encountered a group who had tracked the snow—an ENSA assessment team digging a snow pit for their final exams, presumably enjoying themselves in their own way. We then applied skins and headed up to Lac Cornu for a brief lunch before continuing over into the Combe des Glières and back into the Flégère lift system.
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| hitting the sweet spot |
Wednesday
A bigger day. We were joined by Andrea, my daughter a fully qualified Chamonix ski instructor, along with our family friend Faerthen, an ex–US avalanche forecaster. One does like to travel with people who know what they’re doing.
The day began in perfect cold, clear conditions. But this did not last. As we climbed behind the Autannnes chairlift, mist poured over the ridge marking the France–Switzerland border. Our plan to picnic was abandoned in favour of not being blown over.
We skied down to Trient, enjoying some fantastic snow, where Jeff kindly collected us and drove us back to Chamonix.
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| John & Andrea |
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| mist rolling in from Switzerland |
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| skining to boot packing |
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| Atmospheric and fantastic |
Thursday
Still with blue skies we headed to Verbier or more specifically Brusson. We wanted a less full on day. The ascent of Six Blanc was perfect.
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| Six Blanc see from the top lift |
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| About to launch off down the north face |
Plus for reasons we couldnt work out, we found trackless powder down the mountains north face. [Normally in place like Verbier if there are no tracks in perfect snow you should ask your self what does everyone else know that you don't?]
Friday
Another standout day. We made the traverse of Mt Joly to Les Contamines via Tete de la Combaz
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| The ridge between Megeve & Les Contamines |
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| John following the ridge- tricky on skins. |
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| looking towards Sallanches |
This is a truely fantastic ski tour with jaw dropping views on a 360 vista. Whats more when we arrived above Les Contamines we were treated to a 1500meter vertical descent on sublime spring snow.
Saturday .
The skiing had been so good at Les Contamines that it made sense to return directly there. Yet the weather wasn't as perfect as it had been. There were patches of cloud which occluded the sun. We particularly needed the sun to transform the snow to spring snow. Eventually we got the conditions and managed to replicate the skiing of the previous day. A great way to finish six first rate skiing adventures.
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| Skiing was perfection until it ran out |
A comphrenesive set of the weeks photos can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/114992191@N02/albums/72177720332631121/
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