The quasi La Grave trip (7-16 March 2026)

A snowHead

Almost the same group as in previous years (Arno couldn't make it) headed back to La Grave, or more precisely Villar d'Arêne as a base, after last year's detour to Arolla. This was the same week as the snowheads Offpiste Bash, although we tacked on three days at the end.

The first two days were non-guided. I missed the first (Day -1) so I'm starting this trip report on Day 0.

We headed up from Auberge du Pont de l'Alp, past Refuge du Clot des Vaches:

(the target was somewhere left of the big peak, behind the shoulder on the left)

There was a bit of traffic going up:

But then we spaced out:

(we skinned up on hard snow but we had spring snow on the way down)

We went up about 900m and then started skiing down:

Photo: Arnaud, skier: me

Later on we stopped to see some bouquetins:

as well as some birds and their shadows:

Beautiful sights, too:

This reminded me of the Dolomites:

Arnaud showed me this angle for the compulsory lone tree photo:

I'll keep adding the next days, one by one, as soon as I can!

A snowHead

Stunning photos

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Lovely

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Wonderful. Looking forward to the rest.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Smashing Cedric Very Happy

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Brill composition as always C.

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Great photos as always. snowHead

After all it is free

Terrific!

Day 1

We headed up a less-well known route, starting close to our guide's house. But first here's a photo of Villar d'Arêne taken the previous late afternoon:

We did about 1050m going up:

With a nice lunch spot on the way:

Irbis took the opportunity to ask Pierre for some route advice:

...while I was testing my new telephoto lens / trying to get something out of those light and shadow combinations:

Finally the time for skiing came:

Paul

Irbis

...and here are a couple of shots of me, taken by Pierre:

...this is the route we took, photographed from the road that evening (blue - up, red - down, with apologies for my poor drawing skills on an iphone screen):

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Day 2 and 3 were exercises in finding good snow conditions in tricky light. As it will soon become apparent, we definitely did better on Day 2, which was spent in Monetier, where we briefly crossed paths with a few snowheads:

Traverse after climbing towards the Cucumelle:

View from the top (a later run):

Powder! (sandwiched between some frozen snow at the top and sticky glue at the bottom):

This is what we skied on Day 2 - the Guiberts couloirs. First the looker's left of the big Y on the right, then the looker's right of the big U (or V?) on the left:

Day 3 was Alpe d'Huez. Did I mention we had slightly worse snow?

Still - got some good views of La Meije and other mountains:

On the return to civilisation, there was a question on whether the group was heading in the right direction:

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

On days 4 and 5, we did the tour of the Aiguilles d'Arves, overnighting at the eponymous mountain hut.

We started early (about 7am from the Col du Lautaret). We had great light, so prepare for lots of pics.

Start of the tour:

We notice Helmuth* doing a solo tour nearby:

*not his real name.

We walk diligently (1700 m vertical in total for the day):

Wonderful sights on the way up:

(the clouds were shifting continuously... it was tough to capture the quality of the light but I like this attempt)

After the first climb, the skiing wasn't too bad:

Irbis

Richard

Arnaud

Then there were more wonderful views:

And skiers passing too quickly in front of me Toofy Grin

We stopped to check out the route:

The next part of the climb was HOT...especially as Pierre wanted to get to the top before another big group coming up from Valloire:

And the last bit offered up some nice shadow/light contrasts:

including some snowshoe tourers!

Finally time to rest for the afternoon!

snow reports

Fabulous

Stunning photos!

You know it makes sense.

Lovely photos.
You have captured the light & dark very well!

I miss La Grave - not been down to southern alps for far too long....

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@horizon, great pics. Love the snow shoers shot

A snowHead

Wonderful photos, inspiring!

A snowHead

@MHskier, @AndAnotherThing.., @Origen, @KenX, @Dave of the Marmottes, @geepee, @KSH, @Mike Pow, @Haggis_Trap, @BobinCH, @schauspiele, thank you for the comments!

Three more days to come, starting with...

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

...the second day of the tour around Aiguilles des Arves.

Morning at the refuge looked good:

I love this photo of us taken by Paul:

Here's a pano at the top - we skied the right side, which was 40 degrees and rock hard - careful turns and sideslipping there!

Here's a couple of my photos (of Irbis and Paul) - I liked the light here:

Another photo I love, this time taken by Pierre:

next will be the powder day in La Grave!

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Wow, just wow.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@horizon, stunning photos as always.

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Gorgeous mountain photos, thanks for sharing.

Out of interest, what camera(s) are being used?

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After all it is free

@horizon, big effort to carry an A9 and a 20-200! I think I’m dedicated when I carry my little RX100vii, but I’m not in your league!

Lovely pics many thanks for posting

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

@horizon, top class concise descriptions and superb photos.
If you could select 12, a hard task, it would make a brilliant 2027 calendar.

Chapeau !

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The quasi La Grave trip (7-16 March 2026)

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