Col de la Fenetre and Col de la Cicle

February 10, 2025

Ever since buying the apartment in les Contamines the Col de la Fenetre has become our go to outing on the skis. The conditions didn’t look promising but in the end were quite ok. The pace was strong and we charged up the Col de la Fenetre. A quick snack and then a romp the couloir behind the Tete de la Circle with some tight kick turns.

The northern side of the Col de la Cicle feels intimidating from below, but the snow was firm and enjoyable to ski down.

Even with 2km of skating we arrived in plenty of time to watch Scotland get horsed against Ireland in the Six Nations.

It felt like a long day, definitely not used to these big days on the skis at the moment.

Stats:

Depart 09h35, Summit:13h39, parking 15h15

18.7km 1352m+

View south over to Lacs Jovets and Col du Bonhomme

Mont Blanc massiv from Col de la Fenetre

High treaverse off the Col de la Fenetre

Mont Blanc and Val Montjoie from Col de la Cicle

Croisse Baulet and Petit Croisse Baulet

February 3, 2025

Not the first day of the season but the first that I have remembered to write about. We started too late from just above Cordon. It was a nice skin up the track but the moment we hit the sun, the skins got sticky.

The snow on the way down was terrible. A nice day nonetheless and a route to be repeated in better conditions and without every man and his dog there.

Stats:

Depart 11h04, Summit:12h28, parking 16h01

14.85km 1167m+

Col de la Fenetre

January 13, 2025

A nice hop up to the Col de la Fenetre. Conditions not as nice as expected.

Stats:

Depart 10h48, Summit:13h00, parking 14h07

13.84 km 1064m+

Aiguille de la Berangere through the forest

Views towards Aiguille Croche from Col de la Fenetre

Bois de Rollaz and the decent back up the valley

Haute Giffre Refuge de Bostan

February 23, 2024

There is not much to say about this one. It was a training weekend with terrible snow and an incredibly slow group. At least I learnt something.

What made up for it were the views. A spectacular sunset from the Refuge du Bostan and the valley just above it.

Tête de la Combaz

December 18, 2023

16.12.2024

Not a huge amount to say about this one. We arrived in les Contamines at around 10am with the idea of doing Tête de la Combaz. I had endured the obligatory end of year parties on the Thursday and Friday before the weekend, but it was safe to say that I was not on the best of form. I was tired and not massively motivated for the outing.

We arrived in Contamines at 09h30 and had a tight deadline to be back at the car by 13h45 at the latest. It was cold in the valley, probably around -1 °C or -2°C but we knew it wouldn’t last. The snow line was higher than expected and we had to walk almost 350m+ before we put the skis on.

From the minute the skis went on it was hot. My motivation wasn’t high but we endeavoured on, still holding on to a glimpse of hope that the top might be attainable. Alas, 12h15 came- the turnaround time- and we still had 300m+ to do.

So it was skins off and we began descending. The snow was indeed poor. A mixture of the hot temperatures and the rain from the previous week had rendered it horrible but at least there was something. This time last year it was almost 20°C and the hills were brown.

We reached the Auberge de la Combaz and took the skis off. All that was left was a pleasant wander back to the car and a quick coffee in the town before a house viewing.

Combe de Paccaly

December 12, 2023

07.12.2023

On the Wednesday morning I was not expecting to go skiing on Thursday. An opportune message from a friend proposing a quick morning outing with the goal of being back in the office for lunch arrived like a sign from a devine being. Fortunately I had nothing of real importance scheduled for the morning and the plan for an express trip to the Aravis was planned.

Leaving Geneva at 7h45, we headed towards la Clusaz hoping to capitalise on an abundant last few days of snow and predicted blue skies. Early morning light was not hopeful as by 8h30 the sky was still grey and covered by thin veil of cloud. However, as we passed Cluses the blue skies started to present themselves and by the time we’d passed Saint Jean de Sixt the decision to take the morning off was vindicated.

Boots on then at the XC parking at les Confins and we set off behind one or two other groups. The advantage of having more or less rested since Sunday and having a fast partner was evident in our pace. We were averaging about 850m+ per hour with some fresh snow and in no time we had 600m+ under our feet. A brief stop to remove jackets and we were on our off.

We made the top after 2h15 and took in the panorama of the Massif du Mont Blanc to the east and les Bauges and alpine foothills to the west.

Skins off and time to have some fun in the powder. It was a descent verging on perfect and with a partner skiing fast and with such ease it made me look like a total beginner. Before I knew it, we were at the car and it was over. The objective was to be back in the office by 14h and on that account I failed. 14h03 would have to do.

Stats:

Depart: 9h15, Summit: 11h30, Parking: 12h15

9.8km 1013m+

Tour de La Dole

December 11, 2023

03.12.2023

This has become a classic over the last few years to start the season. When there is snow down to the car park and the station is shut, La Dôle gives off the feeling of being much more wild than it is in reality. When the pine trees are covered with fresh snow and the Jura is still, free of winds that often plague plateau, there is a magical calmness that is enchanting. Having these hills at only 45 minutes from my door is a gem that I shouldn’t undervalue and the fact that it isn’t always in condition only makes the good days that bit more enjoyable.

As the was the first day of the season and three out of four of the group had ran the Duc (almost a half marathon) the evening before, only twelve hours previously, meant that a short tour was in order.

Parking the car at the ski station car park in France, it was clear that we were not the only ones who wanted to take advantage of the abundant snow and the station being shut. Booting up, it was bitterly cold and shocked the system after a scorching summer and ridiculously mild autumn period. This was the first time of the year I had this sensation of chill and I was glad to finally see the season had transitioned into winter.

We started up to the south of the station, passing around the back of the blue slope, borrowing the traces left by others. The ascent was steady and without any difficulty. The first conversions of the day on the last slope of the red piste towards the summit were a pleasure, I still remembered how to do it.

The summit came and the we were treated to a pristine cloud inversion over the Leman basin. There was a wavelike cloud feature flowing over la faucille and down towards the le Reculet. A few snaps were taken and the skins were whipped off before we headed south and then east into the bowl in between la Dôle and la Barilette.

Deciding on the steepest face, which is normally a superb little 150m section of 35 degree skiing, was probably not the most intelligent decision as a first descent. The snow was good, but heavier than expected. It must have caught more wind than I had thought and was not the easiest first turns of the season.

Everyone survived to tell the tale, a few small tumbles notwithstanding, and we skied down to the bottom of the bowl. Skins back on and a nice solitary traverse across the bowl before starting climbing again. We passed by the Nyon ski club’s winter hut and I was quite lethargic. We’d only been out a few hours but the 600m+ were sufficient.

We passed the summit triangle and packed the skins away. Descending by the ungroomed, well tracked piste was pleasant. The quads burned and I worked up a sweat, and before knowing it the descent was over. Skis off and short trot back to the car. A lovely afternoon’s work.

Stats:

Depart: 12h10, Second summit 14h30, Parking 15h

8.3km 685m+