Ski experience - First tracks
Presentation
I've tested it for you: a preview of the opening of the ski slopes
"The way is clear for the pleasure of skiing, from the first track"
February 2023, Chamrousse 1650, downhill skiing, with familyPascale, in quest of new adventures
It's the winter holidays, and Chamrousse is where we like to go skiing when the family visits us on holiday. It's a great way to get out into the fresh air, close to Grenoble, with a superb view of our mountain ranges - Belledonne, Chartreuse and Vercors - and the valley beyond. The majestic spectacle is different every time!
And now my nephew is coming from Brittany for a few days, so naturally it's the perfect opportunity to go skiing in Chamrousse, where he started out as a snowboarder.
This year, the resort is offering something new: the chance to take part in the first ski runs, before they open to the public. So a quick trip to the Tourist Office to book 4 people for Tuesday 14 February at 8.30am. It's a brand new experience for us, and one that we're really looking forward to sharing with our guests, for some great memories together!
Early in the morning, the road is magnificent.
When we arrive, just before our morning appointment, we top up our day ski passes on the resort's website, to take advantage of the 10% discount online, by entering the numbers of the cards we already had from previous years.
It's 8.20am, and in the car park just a stone's throw from the ski lifts, everyone is busy getting fitted with ski boots, helmets, goggles, gloves, skis and poles. The cold is invigorating at this early hour, when the sun hasn't quite come out. And off we go, joining the group, that has already formed in front of the gondola lift, with the ski patrollers clearly recognisable by their red outfits.
And now my nephew is coming from Brittany for a few days, so naturally it's the perfect opportunity to go skiing in Chamrousse, where he started out as a snowboarder.
This year, the resort is offering something new: the chance to take part in the first ski runs, before they open to the public. So a quick trip to the Tourist Office to book 4 people for Tuesday 14 February at 8.30am. It's a brand new experience for us, and one that we're really looking forward to sharing with our guests, for some great memories together!
Early in the morning, the road is magnificent.
When we arrive, just before our morning appointment, we top up our day ski passes on the resort's website, to take advantage of the 10% discount online, by entering the numbers of the cards we already had from previous years.
It's 8.20am, and in the car park just a stone's throw from the ski lifts, everyone is busy getting fitted with ski boots, helmets, goggles, gloves, skis and poles. The cold is invigorating at this early hour, when the sun hasn't quite come out. And off we go, joining the group, that has already formed in front of the gondola lift, with the ski patrollers clearly recognisable by their red outfits.
We split into two groups of five people, each with a tracker. We quickly climb into the cabin, where our ski patrol guide, Philippe, introduces himself and explains the day's adventure, our "First Tracks" outing.
We arrive at the top of the station. We had the privilege of being there, and without any effort at all, it must be said! The panorama is spectacular. You have to be a bit contemplative, but the glistening white everywhere, in all this calm, is magical!
After putting on our skis, we head out onto the snow for a short briefing on the surrounding environment, particularly the mountains, before setting off down the freshly groomed slope to the first-aid post. You can still see the tracks of the snow groomer on the snow, all clean and smooth. It's like a feeling of freedom, given that there's no one around, and of lightness on such soft snow.
To welcome the public, experienced or not, and to allow this beautiful escape, so revitalising, the mountain must be prepared and safe. Mountain activities are becoming more varied, and surprise, surprise, a group of cyclists take to the snow for a descent before the skiers arrive.
We arrive at the top of the station. We had the privilege of being there, and without any effort at all, it must be said! The panorama is spectacular. You have to be a bit contemplative, but the glistening white everywhere, in all this calm, is magical!
After putting on our skis, we head out onto the snow for a short briefing on the surrounding environment, particularly the mountains, before setting off down the freshly groomed slope to the first-aid post. You can still see the tracks of the snow groomer on the snow, all clean and smooth. It's like a feeling of freedom, given that there's no one around, and of lightness on such soft snow.
To welcome the public, experienced or not, and to allow this beautiful escape, so revitalising, the mountain must be prepared and safe. Mountain activities are becoming more varied, and surprise, surprise, a group of cyclists take to the snow for a descent before the skiers arrive.
The door of the ski patrol chalet opens to us: it's a busy HQ at the start of the day! Before the ski area opens, to ensure skiers' safety, the slope patrollers have to check the runs and make sure everything is OK. During the day, they're also there to keep an eye on things and organise rescue services. The Crêtes rescue post looks after the Roche Béranger sector, while the Croix post looks after the Recoin sector.
We follow Philippe, our ski patrol guide, on his rounds. He takes a few stakes with him and equips himself with a drill with an impressive ice bit so that he can drive them into the snow. Here we go again, heading for the red Schuss slope. We take part in the careful inventory: repositioning the stakes lying on the edge of the piste, marking out the way, signalling an obstacle to be avoided, making piste crossings safe.... This little game helps us realise that our carefree leisure activities in the mountains are well supervised!
We follow Philippe, our ski patrol guide, on his rounds. He takes a few stakes with him and equips himself with a drill with an impressive ice bit so that he can drive them into the snow. Here we go again, heading for the red Schuss slope. We take part in the careful inventory: repositioning the stakes lying on the edge of the piste, marking out the way, signalling an obstacle to be avoided, making piste crossings safe.... This little game helps us realise that our carefree leisure activities in the mountains are well supervised!
Everything is in place and the way is clear for the pleasure of skiing and the first track. We take full advantage of this first run, alone in the world, before the first skiers of the day join us on the slopes. And it doesn't take long - we're overtaken by the early-morning holidaymakers as soon as we hit the middle of the run. We're lucky today, the weather is really magnificent and the sunshine warms our skin and our hearts.
By the time we got to the bottom of the gondola, it was already full. The weather is clear, the snow cover is good, and the day looks particularly promising.
By the time we got to the bottom of the gondola, it was already full. The weather is clear, the snow cover is good, and the day looks particularly promising.
We get back in the cab and head for the restaurant at the Croix de Chamrousse, where we share some anecdotes about our first tracks.
When we arrived at the restaurant, the other group was already there and had started breakfast. Apparently we were a little behind schedule, as we'd asked lots of questions, as well as enjoying the slopes.
This little chat over a nice breakfast brings the experience to a close. On the menu: a hot drink, coffee or hot chocolate, a croissant and orange juice.
When we arrived at the restaurant, the other group was already there and had started breakfast. Apparently we were a little behind schedule, as we'd asked lots of questions, as well as enjoying the slopes.
This little chat over a nice breakfast brings the experience to a close. On the menu: a hot drink, coffee or hot chocolate, a croissant and orange juice.
For Philippe, this activity offered by the resort is important: it's of course the pleasure of sharing a special moment in the peace and quiet of the mountains before the slopes open, and the opportunity to discover his job in the field, but it's also an opportunity to raise awareness of the rules of good skiing. Time flies and he has to leave us, as it's only the start of his day's work.
For us, the adventure isn't over yet, now we have the whole day ahead of us to ski! This beautiful day of skiing in Chamrousse ended with a little diversions to Casserousse and its Olympic slope, for some souvenir photos in front of the resort's new giant sign, adorned with hearts, for 14 February.
All the information about this new skiing experience: Inside Chamrousse - "Premières traces" (first tracks)
Photo credits: EM - OT Chamrousse
For us, the adventure isn't over yet, now we have the whole day ahead of us to ski! This beautiful day of skiing in Chamrousse ended with a little diversions to Casserousse and its Olympic slope, for some souvenir photos in front of the resort's new giant sign, adorned with hearts, for 14 February.
All the information about this new skiing experience: Inside Chamrousse - "Premières traces" (first tracks)
Photo credits: EM - OT Chamrousse
