We did a new trip this year, in France's Parc Nationale de la Vanoise. As you can see by the links below, the folks who joined us are some long-time regulars with lots of history, with each other and with us! It was great exploring a new area with all of them.

Other Trips with Marc Gallie

Other Trips with Fred Larke

Other Trips with Chris Robinson

Other Trips with Mo Moceri

Other trips with Terry Fisher

Silvretta - March 2013
Albula - March 2013
Berner Oberland - May 2008
Haute Route - April 2007

Other trips with Jay Coburn

Other trips with Paul Farrelle

We started out working our way through the labyrinth of the Trois Vallées ski complex. The group consisted of, from left to right, Chris Robinsion, Jay Coburn, Kathy, Elizabeth Moceri, Fred Larke, Marc Gallie, Paul Farrelle, and Terry Fisher.

Barely under way, we stop for a treat high in the Val Thorens lift served pistes.

In the background, our jumping-off oint is the Col Thorens, the low point on the ridge in this photo.

Conditions were firm and wind-hammered, making it easier to boot up the final steep slope than to attempt high-consequence and technical uphill kick turns!

On the other side of the col, we had a long and quite steep descent. Here we have a bit of poling along a flat lake, before finishing up with a long traverse down the valley to our first night's hut.

Cozy, cozy! In the beautifully appointed Roc de la Peche hut.

The next day dawned promising, and we headed up toward the Col d'Aussois.

We hoped to cross the col and stay this night at the Refuge de la Dent Parrachée, but conditions deteriorated very quickly as we gained elevation. Having scoped out this col and descent last year, Mark and I knew that visibility was very important to a safe passage. Not liking the trend we were seeing, we turned around and returned to the Roc de la Peche, fearing that even if we succeeded in getting to the next hut safely, we would get stuck on the foul weather side of the ridge. The forecast calling for continuing high winds and snow on the Italian side of the crest for the next several days, we thought this might not work out so well.

Compensating for our retreat, we had nice turns in good visibility.

The following day we descended to the resort of Pralognan, whence we headed straight back up via chairlifts, en route to the Col de la Vanoise.

These sad lounge chairs will not be used today! Outside a cozy warming hut, the wind was glacial and fierce. We stayed indoors and had a lovely piece of pie and coffee!

But we could not stay holed up there forever. We continued on toward the Col de la Vanoise.

Into the Park! Funnily enough, shortly after we entered the Park boundary we saw a small herd of Chamois off in the distance. They must know they are in neutral territory.

The wind picked up and got truly ferocious as we neared the col.

The welcome sight of the new Refuge du Col de la Vanoise, our port in the storm.

The next day the wind seemed slightly less powerful, so we headed up toward La Rechasse, to see if we could find some turning snow. Pretty crusty to begin with!

And of course the higher we got, the less hospitable the conditions.

But once on our way back down, it turned out the wind had left us some nice pistes for skiing.

Though the first part of our descent we relied heavily upon faith! (and GPS tracks).

On the last day of our tour, we had good visibility and headed up toward the Col de la Grande Casse. Our first obstacle, a steep moraine in the teeth of the wind, which was stronger than ever now!

Not shown in this photo are the moments we simply hunkered down and tried not to be blown off the ridge!

Luckily for us, the steepest part of the climb was in the lee of the Grande Casse, and therefore relatively sheltered and calm.

On the Col, an unexpected calm!

On the descent, the cold and relentless wind picked up once more.

Heading down the glacier, we can see light at the end of the tunnel.

The snow was actually quite good on the descent! Firm and chalky conditions for the most part, and long pitches down smooth slopes into the sunshine.

Steep, fun skiing on variable wind-packed "powder"!

And finally, down to the corn zone.

Though it is Springtime down here, the winter storm rolls on over the crest of the Grande Casse.

Mud skiing at its best!

Descending toward Champagny, we are happy for our snow carpet ride.

We took an extra day to explore some of the off piste/touring possibilities around the Trois Vallées. Here we begin a tour via the "Croisette", a funky people mover in Les Menuires, below Val Thorens.

A unique lift experience.

We opted for a scenic odyssey over "Les Crêtes", along the ridge leading away from La Masse, above Les Menuires. A beautiful sunny day at last, with sweltering heat replacing the frigid winds of the week up until now!

Definitely snow to test our technique! Pretty fun, in a sick sort of way. Terry takes on the challenge!

The views were breathtaking.

Looking southeast, toward La Meige and the Barre des Ecrins.

Up hill and down dale, the ridge traverse took most of the day.

At last we began our final descent back toward Chatelard and St. Martin de Belleville.

A long, rolling descent through willows and meadows.

Finally out of snow, we walk to St. Martin, a drink, a taxi ride, and a sad farewell. Thanks to all the gang!