Off-piste at La Grave & Alpe d'Huez
Technical and varied skiing in the heart of the Oisans.
With Jean-René, Nadine, Gaëlle, Raphaël, Pascale, Cécile, Katou, Jean-Michel & Seb.
Jean-René offers me to come along once again to guide an off-piste group. The theme of the weekend revolves around off-piste skiing techniques.
First day at L'Alpe d'Huez: we start the day by reviewing a few basics and providing useful keys to skiing in all snow types. After this groomed introduction, we leave the piste markers behind to apply these tips on a few nice off-piste descents.
The snow isn't picture-perfect today: wind crust, breakable crust, slush, but also smooth snow and powder alternate cheerfully, which is great for learning!
It isn't easy to think about your stance while skiing. (Bad) reflexes are lost and everyone tries to intellectualise their skiing. We deconstruct ourselves a little to let the new skills build a new feel.
Warmly welcomed in Jean-René's guesthouse by him and his family, the evening by the fire gives us a chance to look back on the sensations of the day.
The next day, off to a legendary off-piste skiing spot, a one-of-a-kind resort: La Grave!
A single lift, a multitude of off-piste routes in a setting crowned by the majestic north faces of the Meije and the Râteau: skiing here has a very special flavour.
Facing due north, the snow has stayed cold and turns out to be easier to ski than the day before: we let loose, and everyone's progress is already visible.
Four descents of nearly 1800 metres offered varied skiing, magical landscapes and burning thighs.
Well done to all the valiant skiers of the CAF Valence, and thanks again to Jean-René and his family!
Photo gallery...