I was on classic skis. The sand layer is still omnipresent below 2000m, the second it warms up the new snow melts. For all the talk of "endless winter" and great conditions it is not as good as 2019.

It snowed a couple of days ago but with a strong refeeze conditions seemed good to try some crust skiing and cross over to the Grand Rocher from Pipay.

Cross Country Ski AreaThe cross country ski area has 23km of prepared cross country trails. This may seem small but there is no doubling up of runs as you get in some resorts.

There isn't really a nordic ski area at the Collet d'Allevard but this year, as the lifts are shut, they'd prepared a small "loipe" at the Super Collet.

There had been considerable snow on Saturday, enough to ski in the valley. I saw les 7 Laux had opened its cross country ski area with all pistes open and on free access.

I decided to head back up to Le Pleynet.

I'd wondered for a long time if it were possible to reach the Rocher Noire from the Pipay side of les 7 Laux. Normally you climb from the col du Barioz.

With the col de Marcieu closing its nordic ski area and le Sappey in poor condition the next nearest nordic ski area is the Beldina / les 7 Laux.

Route: Tour du Pre de l'Arc x 1, Myrtilles x 3

First time around the nordic trails this year. Snow is soft - there is a lot of new snow that hasn't compacted yet but slides quite well. Some debris on the pistes.