The Col du Merlet is the main ski tour in the Merlet valley. A classic easy day out that passes through summer villages into the high Belledonne mountains.

I've been away since last week so was a bit out of touch but it was clear from the web that there has been snow, a lot of snow in fact.

From the top of the ski lifts take La Combe red and as you exit onto the main piste immediately track north under some bushes to enter the woods via the GR walking trail.

A rapid lunchtime ski tour. The nice weather of the morning had turned to overcast, cold and windy.

A quick trip before work. I'd thought about the Dent de Crolles. The refreeze was good but a strong SE wind was keeping the snow cool and there was no chance it would transform in the time I had.

I wanted to climb to the Lances Sud but arriving in the Vallon de Marcieu only the east side directly opposite the Aulp du Seuil was tracked.

Arriving at the Aup du Seuil we couldn't resist skiing the Vallon de Marcieu. Ben even took his skins off but it was just as good with skins.

From the Col de Marcieu climb the ski slopes to the top of the drag lift (1290m - watch out for skiers etc), climb behind the top pylon then follow a trail, steep at first, through the Bois du Grand E

The Pas de Ragris is located 200 meters north of the Couloir en Virgule. It is just below another couloir (which has a narrow entrance blocked by a tree).

The Bellin Couloir is found just to the North of the cable car station and crosses under the cable descending 400 before it joins the Combe du Brévent giving a total of 1500m of descent to the valley