What to do when the FIS World Cup comes to town

What do you do the weekend when the FIS mens world cup ski race comes to town? Over the past month Les Houches has been hard at work...hours and hours of piste preparation, miles and miles of safety netting, construction of grandstands, hospitality venues and press offices. This week was dominated by the arrival of Ski teams, TV crews, VIP's and by the time race day arrived ground level was grid locked and the air was full of loud speakers, race commentary and aerial photography. 

So what do you do? Well I have seen it before and yes its fairly exciting not to mention all the lycra! but the preferred option was to dig out the snowshoes and head out in opposite direction. Heading up out of Les Houches though the idyllic alpage of Charrousse you couldn't be further away from the events occurring across the mountain. 

Charousse is a haven of peace, preserved from the excesses of the valley of Chamonix, a set of traditional chalets with preserved architecture that has stood still in time. The cottages are no longer used for farming but they are kept in authentic character to ensure the future protection of pastoral history. The view is truly gorgeous as the Mont Blanc massif stands before you... see for yourself.

North face Ultra Trial...So much training, so much commitment, so much pain!!!

Should we? shouldn't we? do we? don't we? So much training, so much commitment, so much pain!!! 

Durning the month of December there was lots of umming and arhhing about whether or not to complete the online inscription for the 2011 UTMB. After completing the CCC two years ago we always fancied the 'ultimate one'.

For those who are unfamiliar... The North Face Ultra Trial takes in the full circuit of the Tour du Mont Blanc, 165 kms with approx 9500 mtrs of ascent, non stop within 46 hours, starting and finishing in Chamonix... most definately an 'Ultra Trial'! Qualifying points need to be gained before you can inscribe on by undertaking other long distance mountain marathon/ ultra trial type races during two years prior to enrolment.

Three other races take place during the week... CCC (from Courmayeur, Campex, to Chamonix 98kms +5400 mtrs ascent ), TDS from Courmayeur to Chamonix clockwise (109 kms +7100 mtrs of ascent) and the PTL (Petite Trotte Leon a massively long team relay race of about 300 kms).

Places are limited for all races and once the inscription period is over the draw is held and places are allocated.

Results day arrived, would we be selected or would we be let of the hook? We opened the email tentatively feeling sick at the thought... Oh thank god for that... No luck, the draw was unsuccessful and haven't managed to gain a place this year. General reaction, Phew! tinged with a hint of disappointment... at least we could enjoy a more relaxing summer in the mountains.

At this point we have two options... take a refund of the 50 euro deposit paid at the time of enrollment or move your application over to TDS 109 km race. 

Not sure what happened next... but before we new it we had returned to the dark side, clicking the button 'transfer to TDS' 

Oh no, what have we done?

www.ultratrailmb.com

Mont Blanc Treks 2011

Courmayeur... the place to be

After the un-seasonally warm temperatures of the past few weeks and a lack of fresh snow on the French side of the Mont Blanc massif we didn't know what to expect when we ventured through the Mont Blanc tunnel for a days skiing at Courmayeur. As often is the case when things are bad on the north side of the range the snow on the Italian side looked to be better. 

Piste: Despite spring like temperatures the piste skiing was excellent, well groomed with little ice on the northern slopes and the snow stayed firm on sunny southerly aspects. 

Off Piste: Not much in terms of off-piste most places have been totally skied out but at least what's left is soft enough to cope with un-like the crusty conditions at Le Tour the previous day.

With beautiful blue sky weather set to continue until Thursday... if you in and around the Mont Blanc area, Courmayeur is a good place to be.

A busy festive season on the piste so we searched for a touch of calm

Busy, busy, busy... the past two weeks have been extremely hectic in the Chamonix valley. Over the festive season he area has been packed with visitors heading for the ski areas to take advantage of the good snow conditions over Christmas. It was good to get away from the crowds and head for the tranquility above Vallorcine as we headed through snow clad spruce and larch woodland and climbed steadily towards Chalets de Loriaz. As we trekked above the tree-line we were rewarded with magical views of the Mont Blanc massif and Aiguille Rouges to the left and the Swiss Valais to our right. The stunningly picturesque Chalets de Loriaz provided a perfect setting for a well earned rest and refreshment before our descent back to the Valorcine valley.