Category: Ski Touring

For this 3-day raid, we planned a small ski touring loop in the Cerces massif which is located not far from Briançon. The weather forecast is not the best in the world but it is well motivated that we go up the Clarée valley towards Névache. To save time we decided to go up to the Buffere refuge in the evening after the team has left work. The track maintained by the refuge allows you to get there in less than 1 hour from the Rately bridge. The refuge is welcoming and very comfortable. At the Refuge Buffere In the early morning we go up the valley towards our first objective: the peak overlooking the Sagne Noire. The snow has refrozen well this night and the conditions are perfect, everything is smooth! The climb is fast and the ridge is magnificent. The descent to the Cristol lake is on carpet***, everyone is having a blast. We put our skins back on and follow the hollow of the Cristol valley towards the Crête de Cristol then the Echaillon. In big curves on dream snow we descend to the refuge for a short "carbonara pasta" stop before setting off again for a big crossing towards the Charbonnel refuge via Casse Pinière. D+: 1300m   After a good night, the whole team sets off again for the day's objective: Le Vallon de la Grande Manche. The cloudy weather at the start improves and we arrive at the ridge with a great view! It wasn't planned but as the conditions are good, I decide to go down the south side to make a loop via the Col de Roche Noire. Good choice, top conditions and here we are back at the refuge where we pick up a few things before going to join the

This year, Corsica received quite a fair amount of snow in February, unlike the Alps. I am joining Patrick for our third ski touring trip to Corsica.   D1: This first day of ski touring in Corsica, we set our sights on Pointe de Cricche but a cloud barrier from the west of the island forces us to plan B: Capu à l'Inzecca. A short approach walk allows us to get over the ridge to put on our touring skis. Through the beautiful Corsican pine forest we progress quickly to reach the long slope that leads to Punta a l'Inzecca. The snow is quite hard but grips well which allows us to progress without crampons. The sun plays with the clouds and the slope takes a while to warm up. We reach the summit and the last few meters are done on foot by an easy climb. A small Corsican picnic with the cold cuts that Manu prepared for us and it's time to go back down. It's not quite spring snow but it's very easy to ski and we quickly link turns in this magnificent landscape.     D2: Heading for the Vizzavona pass and the Punta de l'Oriente. The wind has picked up and the day promises to be sporty. We put on our shoes next to the car and head into the forest which is in a sad state. The last snowfall (1.50m all the same!) has unfortunately broken a lot of trees. As expected, the ridge exposed to the wind is giving us a bit of a hard time but it's still ok... The clouds catch us 100m from the summit and we don't linger in the fog. Fortunately visibility becomes good as we approach the canyon which is in very good condition. We even go

In this snowy month of May, Philippe and I have chosen to go skiing a flagship summit of the Maurienne: the Albaron and its 3637m. And since Philippe is well trained, it will be a day trip (a small 2000m D+ all the same). So here we are, early in the morning, in the Vincendières car park, it is cloudy but it should pass with the good weather... The car is carefully wrapped with its anti-marmot tarpaulin (they like eating car cables ). We put the skis on the bag and let's go towards the summits! An hour of walking before reaching the snow towards the chalets of the Parise. We tack in the beautiful west-facing valleys of the 'Albaron before reaching the Grand Fond glacier.           The glacier is well filled and we reach the base of the Albaron rocks without difficulty. The weather is fine, it's perfect! We leave our skis to cross a rocky bar about fifty meters high with crampons on our feet. The steps make the climb easier and we quickly reach the summit.       With no one in sight, we enjoy these magical moments alone. The Haute Maurienne is truly beautiful and the surrounding peaks invite us to come back! We go down to find our skis. The snow, which is initially hard and blown, quickly becomes very good for skiing, we take advantage of the wide open spaces! Then we have to aim for the snow bands to go as low as possible. A beautiful location is an excuse for a picnic.         A little trot and we are back at the car, the marmots have not visited it :-) We will come back here for the Charbonnel and the other peaks that wink

Today we are leaving with 4 motivated young people for a discovery ski tour above the village of Méribel. Once the ski touring equipment has been collected from a rental company in Méribel, we head to the foot of the Raffort woods. The weather is fine and a nice layer of fresh snow awaits us. We equip ourselves with the usual safety equipment (DVA, shovel, probe). The instructions are given, the sandwich is in the bag, we put on the skins and off we go! We brake the trail through the forests all dressed in white in a magical atmosphere. The powder is light and we quickly gain altitude. Although we are finally not very far from the village, the area remains wild and there are quite a few animal tracks. My 4 students are in good shape, they quickly master the conversions and the pace is good. We emerge above the forest on magnificent reliefs scattered with small fir trees. The Col Jean awaits us, it is the objective of our outing. It is time for a snack! We take the opportunity to take a quick look at the surrounding peaks. The descent to Méribel through the clearings is very pleasant although the snow has become a little heavier at the bottom due to the warming. Everyone has fun making their own tracks, it is the privilege of the first descenders. In the hamlet of Granges everyone is up for a second climb! 400m of altitude difference quickly swallowed and we are once again tracing the powder. We finish this beautiful day in Méribel. The legs are a little heavy for some but the smile is there. Another beautiful day of ski touring in Méribel!