I'd heard the Chemin de l'Herse had been pisted at the weekend for cross country skiing.

Tot was moaning about the ski resorts being closed so I suggested we climb to the top of the ski runs at St Hilaire.

I'd seen the Sappey trails had been pisted. They only opened a couple of days last season so I decided to seize the day.

A little afterwork. I started around 16h30 from the car park at 1190 meters but it was no doubt possible to tour from much lower down, from the main road to St Pancrasse at 1000 meters even.

There had been considerable snow on Saturday, enough to ski in the valley. I saw les 7 Laux had opened its cross country ski area with all pistes open and on free access.

A ski around the fitness trail in Crolles because there was too much snow to go further afield. Not too bad on classic skis.

The Cormet d'Arêches are how Grand Tour cols used to be: nasty, long and brutish and the cherry on the cake, the top 6 to 7km are unsurfaced.

Note: this road is closed in the winter months. It is also poorly surfaced before the main Allevard road.This used to be a departmental road but has been abandoned to the elements for a dozen years.

Quite a good ride today. 47 minutes for the climb (VAM of 940 m/h) which is not too bad. Nice to be feeling on better form due to cycling a bit more.

The Croix de Chamrousse is the summit of the Chamrousse ski pistes at 2250 meters. It can be reached from the Recoin, la Roche Berenger or Casserousse at 1400 meters.