Since skiing is never part of my Xmas holidays, I'm keeping myself occupied doing some trip-report cleanup from past years. For some reason, this one from my week in the far south of France almost five years ago was posted on New York Ski Forum but not on FTO so here it is in case anyone wants to research a visit down there.
For the final day of my Maritime Alps trip, I surveyed the large circuit known as the Espace Lumière (which doesn't translate well into English: basically, the Region of Light -- referring to how sunny this area is year round). It includes 180 km/108 miles of trails with elevation from 2,576 meters to 1,608 and an impressive amount and quality of offpiste, divided into two sectors: Val d'Allos/La Foux on the looker's left and Pra Loup (wolf's meadow) on the right.
Lots of pleasant above-treeline terrain:
3,600-vert runs on Pra Loup:
... before ending at the ski village with the Ubaye Valley in the background along with the town of Barcelonnette, which is known for having a very popular Mexican Festival in August. Apparently, quite a few residents left for Mexico in the late 1800s, made small fortunes over there and eventually moved home, bringing back a lot of cultural influences.
Heading back to the Foux/d'Allos sector:
Some nice tree skiing amongst the larch trees:
Stopping for lunch at the self-service Parapente restaurant:
I noticed quite a few stickers from California ski areas (one from Kirkwood in the window). Reportedly, the owner's son had spent time in the Tahoe region and came back inspired:
It goes without saying that even cafeterias have a comparatively high quality of cuisine -- look at the dessert lineup:
You know you're in the south of France when you see a truck like this in a ski-area parking lot -- a company that cares for palm trees:
Heading back into the the cute village:
The requisite old church:
And a visit to the locally famous Sainte Brigitte cheese dairy. You're not supposed to bring unpasteurized cheese into the U.S.; however, I managed to sneak some in, despite the pungent aroma:
On my final evening, I went with local food connoisseur Robin to a traditional French restaurant. I had a vegetarian version of the omnipresent winter dish tartiflette and he opted for a plate of charcuterie.
For the final day of my Maritime Alps trip, I surveyed the large circuit known as the Espace Lumière (which doesn't translate well into English: basically, the Region of Light -- referring to how sunny this area is year round). It includes 180 km/108 miles of trails with elevation from 2,576 meters to 1,608 and an impressive amount and quality of offpiste, divided into two sectors: Val d'Allos/La Foux on the looker's left and Pra Loup (wolf's meadow) on the right.
Lots of pleasant above-treeline terrain:
3,600-vert runs on Pra Loup:
... before ending at the ski village with the Ubaye Valley in the background along with the town of Barcelonnette, which is known for having a very popular Mexican Festival in August. Apparently, quite a few residents left for Mexico in the late 1800s, made small fortunes over there and eventually moved home, bringing back a lot of cultural influences.
Heading back to the Foux/d'Allos sector:
Some nice tree skiing amongst the larch trees:
Stopping for lunch at the self-service Parapente restaurant:
I noticed quite a few stickers from California ski areas (one from Kirkwood in the window). Reportedly, the owner's son had spent time in the Tahoe region and came back inspired:
It goes without saying that even cafeterias have a comparatively high quality of cuisine -- look at the dessert lineup:
You know you're in the south of France when you see a truck like this in a ski-area parking lot -- a company that cares for palm trees:
Heading back into the the cute village:
The requisite old church:
And a visit to the locally famous Sainte Brigitte cheese dairy. You're not supposed to bring unpasteurized cheese into the U.S.; however, I managed to sneak some in, despite the pungent aroma:
On my final evening, I went with local food connoisseur Robin to a traditional French restaurant. I had a vegetarian version of the omnipresent winter dish tartiflette and he opted for a plate of charcuterie.
