Arolla, the first skitour of the season 2009/2010. We were strongly hesitating whether to try or not, because the Meteoswiss promised us clouds, snow precipitations, strong wind and temperatures below –10°C at 2000m. Haha, they were wrong, again! Besides the temperature which was really low, Arolla welcomed us with bright sunshine and perfect powder snow.
Arolla – La Forcla, 13. 12. 2009
Arolla parking 1970m, Chalet La Forcla 2874m, gain 904m.
Sun, –10°C, not enough snow for any serious avalanche risk
Fighting with the sticks on the pistes in Arolla
Well, let’s not exaggerate… perfect, but only some 20 cm deep powder snow ;) Seeing huge stone block everywhere around, we were basically obliged to stick to the ski pists. The pists were still closed, abandoned, but already in preparation for the forthcoming season. Climbing up the principal pist and avoiding the snow cannons pouring litres of icy snow, we reached the top station of the skilift. Continuing straight, we could have arrived at the Pas de Chèvres or the famous Col de Riedmatten, which is a part of the “Patrouille de Glaciers” itinerary. However, stones sticking out of the snow confirmed our decision to continue along the pists. Following the second lift, we got to the topmost saddle La Forcla.
Verena and Roland. In the background: Pas de Chèvre & Col de
Riedmatten
The descend in the powder snow along the prepared pists was possible in the upper half of the itinerary; it was a pleasant skiing in a fresh, light powder on some 20–30 degree slopes. No avalanche danger, no risk, just a lot of fun. The french would say: “pure plaisir”.
Jump, Roland! Just put off the skins first…
For all my three companions Pavel, Verena and Roland, this tour was actually a test of their new K2 skis, Backslash, She’sback, and Shuksan. Result: maximum satisfaction, which had to be celebrated in crêperie at Martigny. Yummy!
Ski exhibition at the chalet La Forcla, I
Ski exhibition at the chalet La Forcla, II
