trail & piste

I'm really excited for the start of trail season, but as long as we can get to snow, I am doing my best to limit my running and ski, ski, ski. Now we are finding some strange hybrids of mountain activities in the seasonal transition. Today we hiked up (nearly a VK) with our cross country skis to the high plateau at Prarion. About half the hike was grass and mud, and the higher half in the snow.

We changed out our sneakers for skis and boots, and enjoyed the view of Mt. Blanc above Les Houches, following the track. 

On our last loop, I skied through my basket, and landed flat on my face (giggle). But it took some work to free myself. Then for the best part - the run down the slopes. Our skis were awkwardly attached to our backs and bouncing as we bounded down out of the winter and into the springtime.

last vattay

This time, is definitely the last cross country ski at Vattay. The resort closed a week ago, but a little new snow gave us just enough encouragement to make our own tracks on the deserted pistes. We started the morning with yoga, and I was so happy to finally have the chance to bring Derek along for a class. After the practice, we continued to Vattay for a last lonely loop of the season. 

last day at vattay

I've never been so sad for the end of winter. Given the option, I would take a few more months of it this year. Cross country skiing has become a new favorite among some of my gal pals, and we have been enjoying it as often as we can. Laura and I went out for our last loops together at Vattay before I am off to Italy, and then the station closes at the end of the month. 

We enjoyed warm sunny trails with good snow in the morning. When we returned, I changed to shorts, made a coffee, and enjoyed some afternoon warmth in the vineyard grass. Such a treat to have winter and spring in the same day.

xc fun

We had another great outing at Vattay. Laughing and racing along the trails. Sun, sludge, some ice and après ski with accordion music. Perfect.

xc weekend

We spent the weekend at Vattay. Saturday, we tagged along with Xavi and Roc as they started exploring the trails. 

Sunday, we took advantage of the ski bus to for more winter fun. Since we are running low on ski days this season, we decided to take the Noir de Divonne 18km loop, the last remaining trail at Vattay that I hadn't yet skied.

sunday ski: vattay

Today we hopped on the ski bus to Vattay, Derek's first time of the season. Women skied free this afternoon, so it was an even cheaper ski date. We spent a few hours and several kilometers making the rounds, and finished the outing with well earned beers on the patio.

another vattay day

Another beautiful day with the girls at Vattay. Today was warm and sunny with a great view out to the Alps where we stopped for a picnic.

vattay with jess

I took a bit of convincing to leave the house on this horrible rainy day, but I am so glad to have gathered my gear and joined Jess on her first Nordic ski outing. Happily, the gross rain turned into beautiful snow as we made our way over the pass. We spent the day in a winter wonderland of fresh falling snow. Not bad to tackle a long red loop for her first time with these skinny skis.

vattay day

I finally had the chance to take advantage of the ski bus to la Vattay. It only runs school holidays and weekends, but is an amazing deal at 2 euro roundtrip from the Pays de Gex up and over to the other side. After yoga class, I hustled with my skis to the bus stop, and spent the afternoon exploring some new tracks. Twenty five kilometers and some painful blisters later, I decided to have a vin chaud on the patio, and met some of the friendly regulars. Skating has caught my attention this year, and after watching the skate skiers speed around the trails, I really can't wait to give it a try.  

cold xc

Today I joined Rebecca for her first xc outing, and my first trip to Vattay this season. It was cold, really cold for our region, nearly Chicago-style cold, with gusty wind. We made a few rounds, enjoyed the snow covered trees and finished with a vin chaud.

xc morning

This morning I started out with a new layer of fresh snow, our tracks from the weekend, barely visible. I've put more miles on my xc skis in the last four days than in the past 4 years combined. Good conditions to ski from my doorstep really help :) 

xc x2

We woke early this morning with plans to run a snow-trail race on the other side of the Jura. The snow continued to accumulate over night and through the morning, and we were on our way, until the tire chain broke. It was probably a bad idea to attempt the drive anyway, but fixing the broken chain made us too late to arrive at the start in time even if the roads were not hidden under a deep new snow. Eventually we made it back home, after barely reaching our town border. Since we were already dressed for the weather, we grabbed our skis and went for a long morning xc though the vineyards and woods as the snow continued to pile. 

We returned home in the mid-afternoon, ate a late lunch, rested, and changed to dry clothes before we went for a second round finishing in the moonlight.