When I was invited to attend an academic conference in the mountains near Lyons and Grenoble, I did not hesitate. Especially when I learned that this small workshop (about two dozen experts in cyber-privacy research) is located in the tiny ski village of Correçon-en-Vercors at the base of the French Alps – and structures the program to retain the afternoons for skiing. This week’s forecast was not promising, however: rain every day. Nonetheless, we were able to find some rain-free time for outdoor activities on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.
Tuesday: hiking
After an interesting morning program and a delicious lunch, I headed out for a solo hike in the foothills at the edge of town. With no guidebook or advance research, I simply opened the GaiaGPS map and chose a track that took me up a hill and along a forested ridgeline. The conifer forest and geology were quite a change from those in southern England, where I’ve been hiking for the past three months. Although the snow-capped peaks were sometimes visible through the trees and the clouds, this valley is totally free of snow. (I gather the snow has not been good this winter.) Indeed, in one or two places, spring flowers were emerging.
I followed old logging roads down off the ridge, encountering snow for the first time, where it had drifted deep along the top edge of a meadow. Then along and across a remote rural road and up the opposite hill for another stroll through a pleasant woodland. Here, I did pass a few other people, most out walking their dogs in the early spring weather. After emerging from the forest and following the edge of a pasture, past a busy sawmill at the edge of town, I returned to our lovely inn, Les Clarines. See the photo gallery starting here. Over dinner of raclettes, the group laid plans to ski the next morning.
Hike stats:
Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Gain: 983 feet (300m)
Time: 1h52m
GaiaGPS track
Wednesday: skiing
We aimed to hit the slopes just when the lifts opened for the day, to take maximum advantage of the weather (and freshly groomed trails) before returning for lunch and the afternoon workshop. We rented skis and immediately took the lifts to the very top, at 2050m (6,726′). From there, we could use a series of downhill runs, traversing runs, and intermediate lifts to explore the whole terrain. Although it was snowing lightly when we arrived up top, the weather was generally clear and warm – and briefly even sunny. The snow conditions were very good, and we all enjoyed the skiing.
Because I’ve spent most of the winter in London I’ve largely missed out on winter. I was glad, then, to have had a chance to do each of my three favorite winter sports once this winter: alpine skiing today, nordic backcountry skiing in the Tetons, and snowshoeing in Yellowstone.
We skied for two hours, from the top of the first lift to the bottom, including several other lift rides. GaiaGPS track. See the photo gallery starting here.
and ending at bottom of the first lift (top left).
Thursday: Walking
On our final day we had time for a short walk in the morning before departing for the airport. The sky was overcast but we could see that last night’s rain had fallen as snow in the higher terrain, dusting the treetops. We walked through the village and up into the forest along a gently sloping trail that, when it has full snow cover, is for snowshoeing and nordic skiing. We passed the biathalon stadium, and explored the signage there. A pleasant walk in a quiet village.
Our walk totaled about 3 miles.
Check out the photo gallery for all photos.
David Kotz 