Planchette

This is an easy descent with realatively low avalanche risk - its a bit of an outing so allow a complete day. From the top of la masse follow the ridge to the south towards Pointe du Collet Blanc. There is a bit of exposure but its ok if you stick to the crest. When the angle allows leave the ridge to the south west and head for the Col des Encombes. We crossed the ridge to the east of the col - but next time I think i would go down to the col. Once on the south side there is an huge valley where there are loads of possible lines. Head for La Planchette where there is a little Gite serving lunch.

Follow the road from la Planchette (its a bit flat - you have to pole with ski's and walk most of it with a board) down to the village of Beaune. From here you need a taxi back the Orelle (cost 45€). Book in advance as on a busy day they are over subscribed. 0660201486

Combe Cure

I have been wanting to try this route for a while, so I met up with Trevor and we took the lift from St Martin de Belleville to the top of the ridge. From here a quick descent down chocas (my favourite blue in the 3 vallyes) leads to the olympic express lift. From the top there are several excellent descents. We turned north and followed the ridge for 2km to Col St Jean (above). There are a few tricky bits but they can be easily bypassed on the west side. 

From the col we continued north, skirting round the east flank of croix st Jean, until we dropped into Combe Cure. There were hardly any tracks despite it being a week since the last snow. Its a really pretty valley with a bunch of small woods. The terrain is quite undulating and it was great fun dropping down through the trees.

Lower down we came to a small chalet where we picked up another trail through the woods that eventually led down the a piste. We followed this for about 1km until we came to Les Allues

From here you cross the road and pick up the gondola that goes back up to Meribel. It takes about 20 minutes. Despite the snow being a bit heavy this was one of the most enjoyable routes of the season. Grade easy/intermediate Avalanche risk low (if you dont track under the cliffs of Croix St Jean

Chateau Philibert

It was a lovely sunny day so Trevor and I set off to try another route on La Masse (see previous post). From the top of the lac noir chairlift we went down to col de la bache. From here we traversed to the north east to gain a small col by lac crianltallia - just possible without getting off the board. Another traverse to the north leads to the col that separates le Teurre and the main ridge. From here it opens out into an wide valley which is just superb skiing - you can pick your route wherever you like to avoid the tracks.

The valley narrows slightly and you pass several gites on the way down to the bottom of the valley at le Bettaix. From here there is a chair lift back to les menuires. Highly reccomended med/low risk of avalanche and grade easy/intermedate.

Geffriand

The Geffriand is in the Belleville valley north of La Masse. There is superb off piste potential - most of it easy and not prone to avalanche. The route I did today was a beauty; From the top of the chairlift lac noir (la masse) there is a short descent to the north to reach col du la Bache.

From here put your snow shoes on and hike up the ridge (20 mins) to the summit of la Gratte (photo).  There is a fine 360 panorama from here. To the north there are several entrances to the Geffriand Vally - which runs down the middle of the following photo:

At the end of the valley it narrows into a deep gully - traverse left here by the chalet and exit onto a large shoulder which leads down to the ski de fond piste into St Martin de Belleville. There are many variants possible if you follow the ridge beyond La Gratte to the north - I will be back :-)

19a the couloir, Saulire, 3 valleys

On Satuday I met up with my ski instructor friend Gaspard and his cousin and we went to play in the couloirs by Saulire. This one is called 19a - and is just by the top of the massive Saulire gondola. Turn right when you get out of the gondola at the top - walk past the signs saying "danger" and you will see the drop in. Its steep and narrow - but opens out about 100m down into some lovely slopes.

This is also the starting point for a great Via Ferrata (summertime only). It runs along the ridge to the highest point -taking in some rather airy towers. Grade D+

These boots were made for walking...

I always thought snow-shoeing or "raquettes" as the French call it was something I would save for later in life. However that time has come early... not becuase I suddenly got old, but becuase I have a thirst for going further and further off piste.

There are many suberb back country runs in the 3 valleys. Some of the descents take combes or valleys that are a bit of a journey from the top of the nearest lift. If you ski its not so bad - but if you snowboard you soon get tired (physically and mentally) of plowing throught knee deep snow.

So pop your raquettes out of the pack and prance off across the surface with your board under your arm :-) You can pick up a set for about €100 in any decent sports shop - and open up a whole new world of experience.