First class powder skiing was enjoyed by all during this week. A good snow dump at the start of the week and persistent cold temperatures gave us fresh tracks every day.
Located in the heart of the Tarentaise, our base in St Foy gives us access to a staggering quantity of off piste opportunities. Other than St Foy itself we regularly frequent Les Arcs, Tignes, Val d'Isere, La Rosiere and La Thuile.
Mountain Tracks is celebrating 10 years of courses and guiding in the region and our guides and instructors have been with us the whole way. This means we can guarantee to seek out the best snow and conditions the mountain have to offer.
As usual we enjoyed first class hospitality at Andy and Sue's Auberge. The accommodation is spacious, cosy and always fun! Friends are always made in the Auberge, the bar and the hot tub are always open. The staff put in a tremendous effort with the food, and applause is not unknown at the dinner table!
DAY 1: St Foy
A mornings instruction and coaching on the Piste and off-piste was followed by a trip down the 'Manal'. This is a long and remote journey 'off the back', beginning high on the Foglietta and travelling down from the high mountains through beautiful forest glades and past an interesting ancient settlement.
Day 2: Les Arcs
Les Arcs is a superb off piste domain (with great on piste too) covering a vast area. The morning gave us blue skies and cold air. We headed up to the Aiguille Grive and skied the classic west face all the way down to the valley base. This expedition is not difficult, but is remote and beautiful. We were the first down since the last fall, so perfect undulating powder was enjoyed for the whole distance.
In the afternoon, I took 4 skiers down the 'Nature reserve'. Although this sounds very innocuous, the Nature Reserve is the huge 1500m North facing side of the Aiguille Rouges. Only guided groups have access to this area and the skiing is some of the best in the whole region.
Day 4: La Thuile
Today we made the journey over to Italy. This journey is made by ski from the La Rosiere. A mornings instruction was followed in the afternoon by several journeys down to the Petit San Bernard Pass. This is a large area of open and wooded slopes over a mile wide, offering plenty of interesting terrain and steep tree skiing.
Day 5: St Foy
During the morning, Bryan delivered coaching and instruction, whilst I took three of the group down the famous 'Crystal Dark', this is a long and relatively steep face which is fantastic fun in soft snow.
For the final afternoon, we regrouped to ski the long and exciting journey from Col Granier. This expedition takes us into a whole different valley system to the west of St Foy, where a vehicle pick up is necessary. Again the snow was untracked light powder, and even though the light was flat, it was a great trip.
Thanks to Andy, Sue and staff for their hospitality. And thanks to Steph, Chris, Kim, Caroline, Mike, Vanessa, Geoff and Paul for a great weeks skiing.
Matt Dickinson
