. Nearing the end of the month and wanting to keep my ski streak alive I dragged myself out of bed and went up the hill.Someone had beaten me to the fresh snow, there were some tracks leading down the north face and then a bootpack back up. All looks very nice and incredibly scary, the valley floor is nearly 3000m below and the slope does roll over to vertical.
Looking back up at my turns and those left by others. Very nice if scary turns, 40-50 degree slope ankle deep pow on a hard to icy base.
Not having the energy for a steep climb or the nerve. Not having skied for 6 weeks and completely untried skis and technology I opted for the yucky looking mess that is the south side slope heading towards the col du Midi
The gentler angle slope was nice and firm and very smooth. I got a chance to try carving and a reasonable speed
They leave nice tramlines in the surface, so I guess they carve ok
I might look like a Dork but I've just skied a rather nice 400m vertical and about a mile and a half
The skin back up to the steeper section was nice and easy. But after that the altitude reminded me I haven't been out much lately
Having a rest with a view
Being a tourist
