Emeindras - good slidy snow with a few bare patches that were relatively easy to avoid, snow got better as I climbed.

Covered the Saliniere blue. Good snow conditions apart from the access track which had a few icy patches.

5cm of fresh snow on the road. I climbed with scaled nordic skis rather than skating although I saw someone on skating skis but the snow looked a bit soft. 0C at the col.

With 65cm of fresh snow in the Chartreuse down to 1000 meters it seemed about time to attempt some of the off-pistes at St Hilaire.

Both Mike and I had time constrainst and had to be back for lunch.

Tour of all the open pistes at Barioz today in skating mode: Ramiettes, Creve Coeur, Refuge and Luisard. Very tiring conditions with soft base and fresh snow on the runs.

Headed out with Mike to have a look at his super new MTB. The trail is pretty good in the damp as it is mostly sand which drains well. Some snow on the descent but generally good grip going down.

I'd not been out on my bike for a couple of weeks.

I'd wanted to drive up to the summer parking so only climb 400 meters but the road has been closed as they don't want drivers using it during the winter.

From the town hall in les Pres take a metalled road through the village direction Croix de l'Alpe. After 100 m by a fire hydrant and reservoir follow a small path to the left (NW) past a house.