TR CH - On the Beach; Champcity PDS
Saturday; 17th Mar.
Champoussin is a quiet station that most ski tourists are moving thru to get to Morgins or Les Crosets/Avoriaz.
On a pow day, one can lap 500+ m pow lines w/o much competition.
Weather is 3 - 4 wks ahead of schedule. Feels and looks more like April 17th.
Gortex shells gave way to T-shirts and gimme hats on the ascent.
http://www.biglines.com/photosv2/200...ines_73352.jpg
On the ascent. Glance over our shoulders at Les Dents du Midi.
http://www.biglines.com/photosv2/200...ines_73356.jpg
Summit on Pointe de l'Au (2150m). Ridgeline seperates the 2 back bowls. View northwest.
http://www.biglines.com/photosv2/200...ines_73354.jpg
View southwest across 1 of the 2 huge back bowls.
Both bowls face north, have plenty of snow and great descents into the Vallon du They.
But, no lift service and the traverse/exit is a loooong & sloooow skate out to Morgins.
http://www.biglines.com/photosv2/200...ines_73353.jpg
View south at our descent. Waiting 4 the Sun King to bake the crust.
http://www.biglines.com/photosv2/200...ines_73355.jpg
Our descent on corn and slush soon became a game of connecting the snowfields.
http://www.biglines.com/photosv2/200...ines_73357.jpg
PDS is limping along. On the CH-side, some liasons are single track.
Some liasons and pistes are water hazards by noon; pools of slush, mud and pebbles.
'Tis the season to forget the ticket. Get out the climbing skins and hike 4 turns!
