Alpine Climbing & Skiing: Frost Guiding Blog

Today was a day off work but perfect weather and a keen partner meant no lie-in. An evening recce up the Ferpecle road found reports of good conditions from various teams walking out down the road, so we set off early for the long skin to the Col de la Tsa.

Emerging into the sun at the col, we continued to the foot of the Dent de Tsalion.

Every time I've been up the Dent de Tsalion I've looked down the East face and wondered if it would be skiable. Today, there were 3 tracks and some perfect looking snow...

"The first turn is the steepest", and not without consequences here! The next few turns are pretty steep too, with considerable atmosphere tucked in close to the serac.

Lower down, the angle relents as the slope opens out, and the snow was perfect.

Fast skiing on spring snow down the lower Glacier du Mont Miné, a quick shuffle through the bushes and an easy slide down the still-snow-covered road and that was the end of a fantastic day on a descent I've dreamed about for years. Skiing adventure at its' best!

It's been a busy and varied week in Arolla with some of the best weather and snow of the winter. The only bad weather of the week on Sunday gave us some great ski conditions, and a not-too-hot ascent to the Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges in the afternoon. There, we were well placed for a quick skin to the Point de Vouasson, and a brilliant ski down the shady side of the Mont de l'Étoile.

Next, it was off to the Cabane des Dix with a "father and sons" team, and a great afternoon ski down the Col de Cheilon. The following day was clear but cold and windy, with stunning views from the Pigne d'Arolla summit before a challenging ski in windblown snow down to the Cabane des Vignettes.

A very scenic tour to the Pointe d'Oren before returning to Arolla rounded off 3 days off excellent touring.

We did a lot of "Slightly Steeper" skiing this week, so it's a two-part blog...

We'd been lucky with the weather all week, but Friday our luck ran out. Having already switched to plan B to avoid the clouds, we skinned up the Pallanche de la Cretta in deteriorating conditions.

On the same week last year we came up here hoping to ski the north gully below the summit, and today we were frustrated again. Maybe next year!