SkiBike Tour 2013-14 - Col De La Faucille
Posted: Thursday, 20 March 2014 by Mark Kinnon in Labels: 2013-14 Tour, D.I.Y., France, SkiBike
Carl and I left Leysin this morning and headed back towards Geneva, as his flight home wasn't to be till the evening we took a leisurely drive towards Geneva and stopped off at my favourite local test track; the Col de la Faucille in the Jura mountains. Carl thought it was not dissimilar to parts of Northern California, with the mix of dense pine forest and rocky crags.
In spite of the warm conditions, the snow was in good condition and still plentiful, this confirms much I have said about the Jura mountains. The slopes are almost exclusively North facing and the local micro climate creates clouds even when everywhere else is in full sun. This can make them a dreary place in winter, but definitely works well to preserve the snow so late in the season, especially when you consider their low altitude.
We moved from piste to piste, the relative absence of other snow users allowing us to make giant slalom style turns and head down the piste at breakneck speed with impunity.
After the lifts closed, we shared a beer in the warm late afternoon sun. I shall miss Carl, life is always more interesting when he is around, although one has to pay the price in fresh bumps and bruises.
A change in weather is forecast for the weekend, some places may see 50 cm of fresh snow, but before it arrives I first need to ride with Kevin Dawson in Avoriaz.
In spite of the warm conditions, the snow was in good condition and still plentiful, this confirms much I have said about the Jura mountains. The slopes are almost exclusively North facing and the local micro climate creates clouds even when everywhere else is in full sun. This can make them a dreary place in winter, but definitely works well to preserve the snow so late in the season, especially when you consider their low altitude.
 |
| Carl Day - life is always more interesting when he is around |
We moved from piste to piste, the relative absence of other snow users allowing us to make giant slalom style turns and head down the piste at breakneck speed with impunity.
After the lifts closed, we shared a beer in the warm late afternoon sun. I shall miss Carl, life is always more interesting when he is around, although one has to pay the price in fresh bumps and bruises.
A change in weather is forecast for the weekend, some places may see 50 cm of fresh snow, but before it arrives I first need to ride with Kevin Dawson in Avoriaz.
Had a great time ... Till next time !