Flaine - Vernant
Outing date: 2012-12-09
Altitude of access point: 1747m
Maximum altitude: 2208m
Elevation gain/loss: +373m >> -300m >> +400m >> -461m
Snow depth at 1750m: 120cm with 60cm of dry powder snow
Snow depth at 2200m: 150cm with 60cm of dry powder snow
Weather: sunny/cloudy
Departure/arrival time: 9:00/15:00
The third outing of Winter 2012 - 2013 was probably on of the best session I've ever had. I went to Flaine (Grand-Massif Haute-Savoie) in the sector of Vernant. The resort opened the Grande Platières area but all the lifts that give access to Vernant were closed. It was a sunny morning and I started to hike from the parking of Vernant. The cat made the track until the "Col de Vernant" so it was very comfortable to hike in the first part.
In the second part I had to make the track in the deep snow.
It took me about 1 hour to reach the top of the Corbalanche lift. From there the view on the "Pointe Percée", highest summit of the Aravis chain, is beautiful.
After having drink some hot tea and switched back my splitboard to ride mode I made my line just under the Corbalanche lift.
I met some ski tourers at the bottom starting their ascent to Grands Vans. That was perfect...they were going to make the track just before me. I switched back to touring mode and start following them.
I reached the top of Grands Vans lift one hour later and it was time to eat and enjoy the view.
After the lunch... comes the dessert.
Les Carroz - Tête des Saix
Outing date: 2012-12-08
Altitude of access point: 1749m (top of Kédeuze lift)
Maximum altitude: 2120m
Elevation gain/loss: +371m >> -980m
Snow depth at 1100m: 80cm with 40cm of dry powder snow
Snow depth at 1700m: 120cm with 60cm of dry powder snow
Snow depth at 2100m: 150cm with 60cm of dry powder snow
Weather: fog and snowfall
Departure/arrival time: 9:00/15:00
For the second outing of the season my friend Andrew and me decided to drive to Les Carroz resort which is part of the Grand-Massif in Haute-Savoie. The resort opened one lift on this Saturday, the "Télécabine de la Kédeuze" which starts from 1100m and goes up to 1749m. We were ready at 9:00 for the opening of the lift and we made a few runs in the powder just below the Kédeuze lift in the trees. The snow was unbelievable.
After 3 runs it was time to leave this place as it was becoming a bit too crowded for us...
The plan was to reach the "Tête des Saix". Then we would be able to ride one of the best trees spot of the resort. As the visibility was bad (fog and snowfall) it would certainly be a good option.
The first part of the way was not so difficult because a cat had made a track the day before. However the second part was a bit more tiring and we had some difficulties finding our way...
We finally reached the "Tête des Saix" and stopped next to the closed lift to have our lunch.
Then we had a well-deserved amazing ride...60cm of perfect dry powder snow to play between the trees. There was sufficient snow on the road to ride until the village to go back to the car. It was funny to see facial expression of some drivers seeing us riding on the road...
