J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by chateaudoz

Fantastic conditions in Oz-Vaujany today, skiing the trees at Montfrais.

Pistes have benefitted from the overnight snow and are generally in excellent condition despite thin cover in some places. The overall condition is fresh powder thinly spread on a man-made base. Off piste is very thin and I will be filling the holes in my skiis this evening, having tested this for j2skiers. Should have known better!

Well.. today we did Dome des Rousses to Alpette via Bartavelles, very nice condition both before lunch and after. Alpette to Dome des Rousses, Dôme to 2700, Pic Blanc and Tunnel...Tunnel was, lets say technical; an interesting challenge if you like that sort of thing. I do, but its not for everyone. At 2700 went down Rousses and Alpette to Oz (soft bumps all the way down in the late afternoon, may not be your cup of tea).
Yesterday we did 2700, Couloir to 2100; then 2700 to les Bergers via Couloir, Vachettes and Loup Blanc. Sarenne in the afternoon.
The new Marcels Farm run from Signal is excellent fun for all levels though its not challenging in the usual sense.
There is a deal of fun to be had skiing the various runs served by the Herpie lift in the Sarenne valley from the top of Marmottes 3. If they open the Glacier chair then I could easily spend half a day there...but perhaps I'm easily pleased.

According to viamichelin the toll costs are 7.90€ each way if you get off the Autoroute in Annecy and drive to Ugine/Albertville. You can check routes etc. there too https://www.viamichelin.com/

The Chambon Tunnel has re-opened for the winter season. This is the tunnel near Alpe d'Huez/Les Deux Alpes that has been closed for the last 2 winters inhibiting the usual acccess to La Grave, Serre Chevalier, Montgenevre and other resorts. The access is limited to 3.5t (other limits apply) but is way better that using the temporaray road on the other side of the lake or having to take the diversion around the Parc des Ecrins.
There is more on this page, including a video here: https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/transports/video-apres-18-mois-le-tunnel-du-chambon-rouvre-la-circulation-1481904001 though it is just a car driving through the tunnel with commentary in French.

If you are considering driving from Grenoble to Montgenevre, you are going to drive right through La Grave-La Meije, the very best area in the Alps for backcountry skiing IMHO. You are unlikely to exhaust the possibilities of the Ecrins in a lifetime, let alone a week.
However, this is serious mountain skiing and I would definitely recommend a guide. PM me for personal recommendations.
A cold beer in the Castillian Hotel at the end of the day, along with the other skiers and guides, will taste better than ever.