After the snowfalls of the last 24 hours today dawned with clear skies and a heavy frost.? The mountains of the Beaufortain across the valley have taken on their winter mantle and the sun gradually crept down the hillside.? Time to head for the hills!
We decided to head for the south facing valley above Grand Naves in the Beaufortain massif.? Naves has no downhill / alpine skiing but a a small nordic / cross-country ski area which will not open until December so it was all quiet.
We left the car without our snowshoes as the depth in Savoie isn’t yet sufficient at this altitude to make them worthwile.? The contrast of the blue skies, snow and trees, some still retaining their leaves was wonderful.? Looking south we could see Valmorel and the Col de la Madeleine and the chain of the Lauziere, from the Grand Pic, the Bellachat, Grand Arc, Dent du Corbeau and the Grande Lanche.
We stopped for a small bite to eat in the sunshine outside a small hut. After eating we descended slowly taking the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful powder snow.? On the way back we called in at Chalet Savoie Faire.? It’s a beautifully renovatec chalet run by Nikki Shields and her husband, Hugh.? Nikki offers cooking classes in her professional kitchen.
