Minimum altitude: 1,032 meters
Distance: 27.2 km
Slope Aspect: Various
Vertical Climbed: 618 meters (2,028 feet)
Vertical Descended: 615 meters
Thought I'd make another early start but didn't get to the slopes until 8.50. The ticket office lady explained what was open and what was tricky, very useful information and corresponding with what I wanted to ski. The skate over to la Chapel de Retord was nice and quick on good slopes. On the loop back to Solives two guys were blocking the piste and took an age to move, then they decided to overtake me in some frantic pole and ski swinging action. I assumed they were fast skiers so let them by but once past they slowed up and were blocking me. This seems to be a regular thing on the trails and is obviously some psychological issue. At the end of the Solives I looped back towards Cuvery for the views over the Alps. The piste wasn't open all the way but rejoined the Ferme de Retord where it was possible to ski as far as Cuvery but I decided to head back to the trail head. The easy liason piste was closed as it is south facing so I was left with the climb to the Croix des Terments. Very good today as the snow was hard but some 3 bare patches and some icy treacherous snow. Lucky the main descent back to the parking was ok but had to walk the last km.
-1C at the car park at 8.30. Very little snow at le Retord but things improve rapidly as you climb. Crust skiing possible on the praries. Road clear but risk of black ice with the cold. Generally good conditions with soft firm snow. A little bit tricky in places from the Ferme de Retord to the Grange a Lucien. Icy on the descent to la Bauche cross roads and some bare patches on the climb to the Croix des Termants. The descent to le Retord was ok. The dameuse had not been able to prepare the piste from la Bauche back to le Retord.
