At the southern end of the ski resort of Prapoutel - Les 7 Laux the Jas des Lièvres and the Combe de Bedina have been spared ski lifts and only off piste skiers using the Lac drag lift disturb the pea

With just a long lunch and a bit tired after helping the tot with his Fleche on Tuesday I wanted something short and with easy skiing. I opted for a return trip to Chamechaude via the Canyon.

Change of programme to skating on the Chemin de l'Herse. The ski resort of St Hilaire closed yesterday and even if it wasn't that busy it was even lonelier on the pistes today.

It seemed like the east side of the Belledonne had been much less wind affected than the west (avalanches yesterday at the refuge d'Oule, col du Mouchillon and Couloir de Pertuis).

http://pistehors.com/col-du-merlet-from-the-pont-du-merlet.htmAccess: From the Maurienne autoroute take the exit at St. Etienne de Cuines for the col du Glandon and the Villards valley.

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.