A couple of loops of the Col de Porte ski area. Temperature was 5C at the col (1300m.) and there was quite a strong breeze from the north which had left some branches and leaves on the pistes.

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.

Starting from the hamlet of Lnagenet follow the road to Rouare, la Planta then after some zig-zags the roads flattens. Take a right hander to les Avons to finally reach the Col du Lauteret.

There was light snow forecast for Wednesday with a return to good weather for Thursday so I made sure to leave the day free.

Mid morning MTB tour in the sun

From the Bois de Batie car park follow the cycle trail to towards Chambery for 500m under the bridge.

From the Recoin (Chamrousse 1650m) climb to the top of the ski pistes (Croix de Chamrousse). You can generally avoid most of the ski open ski runs. Descend the run to the lac Robert.

The overnight rain hadn't done too much damage. The ski pistes were in good condition having been bashed overnight. The road up to Charmant-Som was hard with a lot of debris over the first km.

Located at altitude 4.5 km from Lans en Vercors itself on the Allières in a "hidden valley" there are three circuits, a red, a blue and a green.

Classic ski tour when it is high risk in the mountains. The day started at 9am with 400 vertical meters of trail breaking in snow up to my knees and at times much higher.