Lovely early morning touring in the French alps, below Le Grand Mont f2587m.
Dynafit’s annual press event this year was based in Areches Beaufort, an area known for the famously brutal mountaineering race, Pierra Menta. Racers climb 10,000 meters over four days. To stay in the race, they have to climb at least 600m per hour. For hours. And hours.
Luckily our tour to test Dynafit’s new gear didn’t follow that pace. Because of thin snow down low, we rode the lifts to gain 2000 meters elevation. With blue skies and views of magnificent Mont Blanc, we went off piste and skied to a subpeak below Le Grand Mont, 2587m. Snow conditions were lovely, about 8cm of fresh powder and only a few spots were wind affected.
Dynafit’s new Seven Summits was my ski for the day. They of course weren’t as surfy as the fat skis I’ve been on lately (115cm underfoot) but they were certainly more carvey, which was enjoyable on a day with snowpack ranging from ski resort groom to condensed powder off piste. Overall they impressed me as a fun, all around ski.
7-Summits remains a classic of the Dynafit line.
Stats:
Length: 171cm
Triple radius
19.5/14/17
115/82/102
1,330g
Since the snowbase is thin, we meet at the lift and ride to Grande Combe, 2080m.
Near to top we find a nice layer of powder and only minimal spots of wind affected snow.
Happy Lou, clearly in the land of his heart.
Summit Photo on Point du Dard with media partners from around the world.
Guide Franz Perchtold points out a few of the stunning peaks around Mont Blanc.
WildSnow Girl, Lisa Dawson, is the luckiest girl in the world. Also known as Mrs. WildSnow.com, she tests whatever gear she wants. She gives the WildSnow family of websites the feminine voice.
