The winter is just making it’s appearance in the Beaufortain massif in Savoie. The snow has arrived very late but despite this I’ve enjoyed a couple of days out with Mairead from Scotland. The first day we drove over the Col du Pre and walked from there above the Lac de Roselend towards the Col du Coin. The thin covering of snow posed problems as it wasn’t deep enough to use snowshoes but succeeded in covering a few sheets of ice; so care was necessary. Today we’ve been above the village of Areches and below the Legette du Mont Mirantin enjoying more snow near the Lac du Clou and the snow draped trees above. There were a number of cross-bills feeding in the tops of the pine trees.
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Les Saisies and Didier’s Chalet
Snow, snow – at last winter has arrived with heavy snowfalls today. To make sure of the best snow we headed to Les Saisies (1600m) but not to walk in the ski resort. We set off on a gently rising trail through the towering pine trees with snow coming down fast and furiously. Higher up the path turned a corner and we traversed across a more open area towards a chalet that I’ve passed before. Arriving in front of the chalet, well away from any road access we were greeted by a man I now know as Didier. I thought the chalet was a mountain cafe/buvette but in fact it’s Didier’s home (he’s originally from Megeve) and a retired carpenter. He invited us in for a drink and offered us a “vin chaud” in large savoyard bowls. His little 3 month old collie pup greeted us too with his sharp little puppy teeth! The interior of the chalet showed off Didier’s woodworking skills. After having enjoyed this unexpected hospitality it was out into the snow again. The snowfall slackened off for a while and we zig-zagged up to the top of the Chard du Beurre before a descent back to the car near Les Saisies.
Beauty – The Beaufortain and Lac de Roselend – Snowshoeing
A day when one is lost for words to describe the beauty of the mountains.
The day dawned with cloudless blue skies and a sharp frost.? We set off from the hamlet of Boudin, in the Beaufortain, just above the village of Areches.? The smell of cows in the cowsheds mixed with that of wood smoke from fires in the tightly packed houses nestling on the slopes.
We gained height on our snowshoes with the crunch of the snow crystals and a surface of hoar frost like feathers.? Our path zig-zagged gradually towards the Col du Pre (1703m).? Eventually the sun’s warmth warmed our hands on our ski poles.? The views expanded with the altitude looking towards the Legette de Mirantin and La Grande Journee.
As we approached the Col Mont Blanc appeared, clear against the sky, not a cloud in site.? Contouring the slopes we came to a number of small chalet d’alpage and we had a great picnic with our backs to the wall on a wooden bench in the sunshine.
Below us the Lac de Roselend’s waters spread out with above the Pierra Menta and Col du Parazon.? What a great way to spend the day breathing in the fresh air, reflecting on nature’s beauty.
Heavy snow at the Lac de la Girotte – Beaufortain, Savoie
A brilliant day out with heavy snow falling lying as powder as we gained height. We left Areche and dropped down to Beaufort before taking the narrow twisting road past Haute Luce to park at Belleville. Here we followed a steadily rising path passing rustic chalets and snow-draped pine trees. Higher up we passed the chalet de la Colombe that in summer provides refreshments. The snow continued to fall heavily but we kept walking past snow-laden trees zig-zagging up until eventually the increasing wind told us that we were on the spur over-looking the lake. We found a sheltered spot for lunch before a wonderful descent in the powder snow on a path that threaded its way down through the forest to rejoin our uphill route by the chalet de la Colombe.
British Ski Tour Operators business practices in the spotlight …
Browsing the local paper, Le Dauphinee Libere, I came across two interesting articles relating to British Tour Operators in the French Alps.? http://ow.ly/1EaAsu
The first relates to a hotel at L’Alpe d’Huez, in Isere where the employees haven’t been paid, have no contract of employment, the article alleges.? It goes on to state that the police, and the various agencies dealing with employment are investigating and a file is being prepared for the local prosecutor.
The second is about British Ski Tour Operators in general and their contracts under British employment law whilst the seasonal employees are on French territory and therefore, it’s alleged, should be under French law.? If this is the case there wouldn’t be many UK ski operators around since the “business model” would appear to rely on paying very low wages (the article talks of 400 Euro a month).? There is a “partie civile” (a civil party to the action) in the form of a French hoteliers assocations.? There’s potentially some serious ramifications.
Food for thought!
Cross-Country Skiing (Ski de Fond) at Les Saisies
Pat and I went up to Les Saisies today to enjoy the excellent nordic skiing pistes located adjacent to the downhill slopes.? Les Saisies hosted many of the nordic skiing events for the 1992 Olympics that were based at Albertville.
We took in one of the “red” pistes which like most of the trails here has a fair amount of climbing.? Climbing using the “skating” style is quite hard work (to put it mildly) although as my technique has improved it has become easier.
We ended up doing about 20km and took one of the teleskis back up to do another 7km without having to do all the climbing.
The day finished at the great Chocalatine Tea Rooms with a real hot chocolate and a couple of “Chausson” to re-stock some of the calories expended.