Although I had a great day piste skiing at the start of the season at Chamrousse I'd not been back touring this year.

A little afterwork to ski the Cords Passage, a relatively secret descent off the very popular Chamechaude mountain. I stopped at the first step about 80 meters below the final summit.

A chance to look at the avalanche that ripped down to the Col de Porte - Hotel ski lift in January on a risk 5 weekend. The biggest avalanche in 42 years according to the locals.

Excellent spring ski conditions. We focused on some long descents, although in Allevard that means in the 620 to 650 range.

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.

Resort OverviewVillard des Lans is situated about 45 minutes by car from Grenoble on the Vercors plateau.

It seemed like late spring today. 20C in the valley and a lot of smog, some of the worst valley pollution of the season.

The ski resort of Le Collet d'Allevard is situated in the Belledonne mountainsin the French Northern Alps. The lift served area extends from 1450 metres to 2100 metres.

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

Lunch skate in the heat before a picnic by the river. Family on bikes.