http://www.chamrousse.com/nordique.

The Cross country ski area had opened over the weekend and the pistes had been prepared but was closed today. The zero-iso was around 1700 m on Sunday coupled with rain.

The climbs are not too long. Basically 4 climbs of around 300 meters. It starts right in the heart of Lyon in the 9th district but the traffic pretty much goes by the turn for the first climb.

The conditions have considerably improved since the weekend with around 20 to 40 cm of new snow on the start of a base.

Skate from the Col de Porte (which opened today after 20cm of new snow) to the Oratoire. I didn't go any further as it was very windy and zero viz.

Reasonably dry except on the steep section just before the col de la croix des Ayes where the stones were humid and a bit slippery. The route is pretty logical.

From the parking ride into Brignoud crossing the railway line and turn left at the lights. At 2.

Mid morning MTB tour in the sun

This fearsome climb starts from the village of Ornavasso just north of Gravellone-Toce.

DescriptionOne for the climbers. Views over the mountains and Lake Orta from the summit. The climb is through woodland so offers a lot of shade on a sunny day.