General DescriptionDiscover villages and hamlets, each more charming than the next, over 44 km of cross country trails in a unique natural setting.

The ski area at the col was full of school groups so I decided to head up to the Charmant Som for the 8th or 9th time this season.

Pretty damn cold today although not too windy. The first half of the climb was under heavy snow / grapel but it cleared towards the summit.

I started on the pistes then took the link over to Charmant som across the pistes. The snow at the col was hard and skiable, a bit of late autumn crust skiing.

A false good idea going to the Arselle after a super-hot February (one of the hottest since 1900). I actually had to skate all the way down the descent of the normally superfast Astragal.

A tour of the Sagnes marches which I'd not done for some time and Thibaut had never been here. Unfortunately the runs were only partially open.

Training morning with the SN Chartrousin then a climb to the Bergeries of the Charmant Som to warm up (climb took a reasonable 37m56 and the descent a speedy 7m17)

The top of the Charmant Som plateau had been pisted to make up for the lack of trails lower down. A real treat to do a couple of loops in pleasant conditions although we do the same crust skiing.

First ski of the new season. There was 40cm at the col de Porte.

Great early season cross country skiing conditions on the plateau d'Arselle. The Astragale black wasn't open.