Pain de Sucre from the top of Quatre Terms

Beautiful views on this walk up and ski down. Yet again enjoying the fabulous weather. It is the school holidays so the ski area is chock full of nutters, hencely great to get away from the crowds.

Easy to get a bit blasé about these views!

Doug is always a tiny spec in the distance to me...

This is the view from the apartment. We skied down around the center of the photo

Through the hole in the rock

It has been lovely sunny weather. There was a few cm of snow overnight so lovely conditions. Steve came up for his last day of skiing this year and suggested we did 'through the rock'. This goes from the top of the Quatre Thermes lift (top left of the map) and you climb up over the ridge beside the chair, you can get through because there is a gully or 'hole in the rock'. You then ski down behind the mountains and down a valley back in to the other side of the ski area at Tournaboup. 

Skins not needed, it is a bit of sidestepping then a boot pack (I don't fancy doing if someone else hadn't been before and made the steps up)

The 'hole' in the rock is visible in this photo taken from Quatre Terms as a little notch in the skyline just to the right of center.

Doug climbing up (much steeper than it looks)

Steve climbing up

Doug at the very top going through the hole and Steve just behind (picture taken from below)

Rhoda coming up the hole in the rock (picture taken from above - I am saying this because the perspective goes all weird in photos. It is nearly vertical but kind of looks like I am crawling along the ground!)

View once you get through the hole

This way!

Steve at the top of the climb getting ready to go

Steve skiing the top bit

Looking back up at Doug who is about to ski the first bit

View

Rhoda skiing down a bit

We came over just to the right of the center of the picture by the little white bump

Beautiful fresh snow

Happy!

More view

A hut nearish the top where it appears there is a building of 400sqm going to be built!!! It is way in the middle of the mountains!

The valley flattens out through little trees

Have to cross the stream

Not much snow on the bridge!

Fun day. Good idea Steve!

Poppy's first time skiing

Also my first (downhill) turn of the season!

First skiing in the Grand Tourmelet

The ski area isn't due to open for another few days, but there has been a bit of snow recently and as the forecast was nice and sunny in the morning we decided to go for a walk on our skis with the dog and then ski back down.

View of the ski area from the house

View of snow from the house

Walking up

Att the top with faithful hound

Looking back the way we came

Poppy helping take Doug's skins off

Skiing down - little bit rocky Doug not skiing best but Poppy cute