With temperatures hitting 26C today, in the valley, it almost seems like summer has arrived. However we're expecting snow at 1500 meters this weekend with a brutal drop in temperatures.

Today tot and I decided to revisit the Col de l'Arzelier. Tot had some of his early ski experiences in this small and somewhat remote ski area.

From the corner at 780 meters at the top of the village follow the Lanfray river to 921 meters (les Combes).

Climb the left bank of the Manival stream following a good jeep track to the to the Manival Forest Cabin (open, unguarded) at 870m. The track is very steep for 50 meters.

Combined with a climb and descent of the North couloirs of the Jas de Lievreshttp://pistehors.com/trainer-couloirs-of-the-jas-de-lievres-route-5.

Follow the road to the Pont de la Betta then a forest trail to the habert d'aiguebelle (refuge - unguarded). From here you can climb either by the east or south face.

With considerable avalanche risk in the Chartreuse, large skier triggered slabs possible on north facing slopes according to the bulletin, it was not a day to tempt the devil.

It is rare to make tracks on the Dent de Crolles these days but the fresh snow and wind had wiped any old tracks and at 9am no-one had yet set out for this iconic summit.

Short ski tour with Mike to check out the SW bowl of the Pravouta. The road has a good layer of snow on it now, almost like a piste.

There is a barrier at 1088 meters after Prabert which normally blocks the road in winter.