With the sun suddenly appearing for the first time in ages, I made sure that I was well rested and ready for some powder. To get things underway Sharon and I headed over to the small Swiss resort of Les Marecottes, which is said to be quiet but superb, a bit like Bruson (which I went to a week or so ago). The best way to get there is park at Finhaut (just over the Swiss border) and then get the train to the resort, and with this being Switzerland the whole thing was very smooth and efficient, and we were on the lifts less than an hour after parking up at the train station.
Once there I was blown away by the terrain, but it quickly became obvious that the best stuff was accessed by touring, and that without good local knowledge it may not be easy to find. Still, we found some great skiing and bootpacked up the odd bit here and there to access short couloirs and faces, all surrounded by the most incredible views. Overall I was slightly disappointed by Marecottes, but I'd love to get all the beta and go back for some touring. It was a great day, but no Bruson I'm afraid.
Me in the powder having bootpacked up in waist deep snow
Random guy shredding under the even more random "trip" sign
For those about to send....
Oh for a bit of local knowledge...
Looking back at Mont Blanc
Today I teamed up with a big group to go and check out the Quatre Tetes, a 2300m peak above Sallanches. The tour starts at 970m, so it's quite a slog up, but having finally got to the top we had a fantastic ski down the N face, in perfect, deep powder. Happy times.
On the final ridge
Looking back at the skin track
The crew, minus me
And now for some ski porn -
Nearly home
The weather looks to be holding for at least one more day, so I'll be out again tomorrow - stay posted!