General DescriptionThe climb is 14% over 5km for 700 meters of climbing. The climb through the village of Montebuglio is very steep but afterwards settles down to 12-13% with a series of steep ramps.

Without having a good idea of where I was going, I should have grabbed a piste map, I set out across the plane before climbing to Geve then beyond.

Autrans-Méaudre is the Isere region's premier ski area  boast 180km of prepared cross country ski runs that run through a mix of high altitude plateau and wooded hillsides culminating in a high a

It had rained heavily to 2000m plus the day before and some sections of piste showed the effects but generally the snow was soft and very skiable. We took a few runs through the fantom village.

The weather service announced a window from 10 to 2 pm, just before the arrival of storm Carmen. It had snowed overnight but only about 15cm.

Up at Chamrousse for skate training so lots of loops around the stadium area plus a final tour of the plateau. Cold snow was not easy to ski at the end.

First trip up to St Hilaire, After touring the pistes we skied the top and middle sections of the phantom village and the Canyon.

Christmas Lunch at the Saliniere is a tradition in our house and I added a little loop of the Brimbelles and Astragal pistes afterwards. Still recovering a bit from a cold so not on top form.

Good in parts, like the Curate's Egg. The wind has considerably affected the snow. It has been blowing strongly from the north for a couple of days.

A quickish climb to the Oratoire under the Charmant Som. Skiing conditions were much improved with the weekend snow. Managed to ski to the Oratoire without stopping although some very slow climbing.