Here's a few pictures of the mountains near Grenoble at the moment. We've had lots of snow and it's magnificent.
These pictures were taken on a ski randonée trip. Ski randonnée involves attaching synthetic skins to the underside of specially designed skies. These skins stop the skies sliding backwards as you go up the slopes. Once you reach the summit the skins are removed and you can ski down as normal. The advantage is that you can go off the slopes. The disadvantages are that it requires a lot of effort and the descent is often rapid. In addition the risk of avalanche is higher as the areas are not made safe as in a normal ski station.
Another option is 'racquette' or snow shoe. Recently we spent a pleasent evening in a refuge listening to an Irish music band. We started at 7pm walked for an hour and then spent the night in the refuge. It was cold but we felt very privileged to see the mountains at night.
All that being said I'd like it to warm up a bit now.
