I didn't set off with any clear ideas but the aim was to ski around for a couple of hours and do a bit of distance My idea was to warm up on the shorter, inner "loipe" and work outwards.

Too much snow to go further afield this morning so I did some cross country American style. That is, making tracks around the local football pitch.

This is becoming our regular winter ride but the singles are too wet at the moment until I service my front fork.

The link between le Sappey and St Hugues hasn't been prepared for 4 years. I'd lost faith they'd ever do it again but then a message from Chamechaude nordic, it would open this weekend.

From Pipay climb to the chalet de Pipay dessus then turn NE to climb to the ridge between the Soleil and Loup drags.

As junior was ice driving at 1650 I decided to test the link between the two parts of the resort. It is a bit rough as it is a shared path with walkers etc but okay on skating.

This is a good option if it is damp as the tow paths along the side of the Isere are well drained. You can ride as far as the Grenoble and beyond but pick up a surfaced path at Gieres going south.

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.

A variation on the route today. Decided to try and skate the Chronovélo from Meylan to Grenoble city hall. The Chronovélo are high speed cycle routes where bikes generally have priority over cars.