Freeride outings reports
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...
Flaine - Grande Platières
Outing date: 2012-12-01
Altitude of access point: 1600m
Maximum altitude: 2400m
Elevation gain/loss: +800m >> -450m >> +450m >> -800m
Snow depth at 1600m: 15-20cm without base
Snow depth at 2000m: 40cm with 20cm of dry powder snow
Snow depth at 2400m: 60cm with 30cm of dry powder snow
Weather: sunny above 1700m
Departure/arrival time: 10:00/15:00
For the first outing of the season I decided to come to Flaine. The resort is not yet opened; it should open on the 15th of december. So, it was a good option to come there to test my new splitboard. They already started to spread artificial snow meaning it will be less dangerous for my new Lib Tech.
It was 9:40 when I arrived at Flaine's parking. The temperature was -10°C and I had to restart the car for a while to warm up after having finished preparing all the stuff. My first steps with the Lib Tech splitboard and Karakoram bindings in touring mode were made at 10:00. The stuff was working like a charm and I was a lot faster than last year with my snowshoes.
It took me less than 45 minutes to reach 2000m. The weather was beautiful and I felt so lucky being above this ocean of fog. Below 2000m there was only 15-20cm of soft snow laying directly on the ground without any base. From 2000m the snow depth was safer.
The day before the weather was also good and ski tourer already visited the spot...
I was not alone for my first outing but it was for sure less crowdy than it will be in 15 days when the resort will open. I know this resort very well but it was the first time I got there without a skipass. I made my first snowboard curves in Flaine when I was 14 years old and now I was making my first splitboard experience 20 years later.
40 minutes later I arrived at the footer of Tête Pelouse and after a quick look at the Mont Blanc I started switching my stuff to ride mode. I didn't have any problem but it took me around 10 minutes to pack everything and be ready to shred the mountain.
Light dry dreaming snow! It was so good that I even jumped a little rock during the first run...
On the picture above we can see the Desert de Platé and the Mont Blanc a little bit hidden by clouds. The Tête du Colonney and the Pointe Percée appear on the left of the picture below.
I stopped at 2000m and met friends who started sooner. We shared our happiness for a while.
It was time to eat and I decided to stop at the restaurant the Blanchot (1950m).
After a good lunch I switched back to tour mode and start hiking again for another run. I reach the summit 40 minutes later.
This time I had problems switching back my Karakoram bindings to ride mode because of ice. I used my crampons to remove ice but it took a while...
Then I walked on the ridge of Tête Pelouse to reach a steeper face. Short face but the snow was perfect and this second run was amazing!!!
Under 2000m I had to be very careful because of the stones and it was not so funny...
It was time to drive back to Geneva and to dive in the fog again... on the right the Môle is floating.
