Combined with a climb and descent of the North couloirs of the Jas de Lievreshttp://pistehors.com/trainer-couloirs-of-the-jas-de-lievres-route-5.

The large Gleyzin valley is clearly visible from the valley as far as Chambery. It keeps snow cover late and is skiable into May with a reasonable amount of portage (a mountain bike can help).

Follow the road to the Pont de la Betta then a forest trail to the habert d'aiguebelle (refuge - unguarded). From here you can climb either by the east or south face.

Climbed via the couloir N (#2), descended by the couloir de la croix de Planijean (#4) with a descent via the south face between the two. Both couloirs have compact powder.

At the southern end of the ski resort of Prapoutel - Les 7 Laux the Jas des Lièvres and the Combe de Bedina have been spared ski lifts and only off piste skiers using the Lac drag lift disturb the pea

With just a long lunch and a bit tired after helping the tot with his Fleche on Tuesday I wanted something short and with easy skiing. I opted for a return trip to Chamechaude via the Canyon.

Change of programme to skating on the Chemin de l'Herse. The ski resort of St Hilaire closed yesterday and even if it wasn't that busy it was even lonelier on the pistes today.

It seemed like the east side of the Belledonne had been much less wind affected than the west (avalanches yesterday at the refuge d'Oule, col du Mouchillon and Couloir de Pertuis).

http://pistehors.com/col-du-merlet-from-the-pont-du-merlet.htmAccess: From the Maurienne autoroute take the exit at St. Etienne de Cuines for the col du Glandon and the Villards valley.

The Col du Merlet is the main ski tour in the Merlet valley. A classic easy day out that passes through summer villages into the high Belledonne mountains.