I waited until 4pm to see if the cloud that has been clagging the Chartreuse would clear. It seemed to be the case and for a brief moment it lifted revealing the mountain in all its glory.

Little after work ski tour to check out the snow. I've been very busy the last few weeks and haven't had much time to get out.

From the ski resort of l'alpe du Grand Serre (la Bache) follow a trail to les Desserts behind the Grizzli buildings.

From the Desert drag lift follow a track (vallons piste) through the Pres de Clos to pt 1448m then climb up the Grande Montage slopes to the ridge. You can check out the couloirs from here.

The comma couloir has not been good this year. Last time in January the snow was hard and scralped in the couloir and soggy in the woods, but there was a good base and the pistes were ok.

It has snowed overnight and reports from this morning were quite encouraging. Less snow than forecast but around 25cm of dense powder. I decided to have a look at the col du Coq routes.

Mike was keen to explore the Beaufortain, the snowiest mountain range in France at the moment with some 3 meters since the 1st Jan at 1800 m.

From the end of the road (Areches, la Chornais) follow a track which crosses a red ski run then zig-zags into the woods.

Honestly the ski conditions are not great in the Isere ranges at the moment.

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