Snowshoe trail : Col du Lac Blanc

Here you will discover the type of landscape that you find in the far north. Indeed, whether you go up in altitude in the Alps or in latitude, the vegetation is practically the same.

There is vegetation, but it only grows at ground level, so it becomes invisible when the snow arrives. It becomes invisible when the snow arrives. It is composed of lichens and creeping willows, considered as trees because they produce wood, albeit small, but wood nonetheless! Moreover, under the appearance of an uninhabited place, specific animals adapted to this environment walk the slopes of these spaces despite the complex weather conditions. The mystery of life takes shape despite difficult conditions: snow, wind, strong sunlight.

The Pic Blanc (3323m) is the highest point of the ski resort, Pic Bayle, named after the abée Bayle who climbed it for the first time in 1874, is at 3464m and finally, further north, the Etendard (3465m). The highest point of the massif remains however to be discussed because we find on certain maps the Bayle peak as the highest point... quarrel between Isère and the kingdom of Savoy since we are on the edge...

On your left is the chalet/cabin of the ski patrollers whose role is to mark out the area, limit the risks of the terrain by signalling cliffs and other dangers. Their role is vast, they are there to rescue you, but also to trigger avalanches and allow the skiers of the domain to evolve in complete safety. Many jobs that are not well known to the public are necessary for the smooth running of a ski area. For example, at night the snow groomers and their pilots work the slopes to guarantee good quality snow.

You can see large pipes in the mountains near the slopes. These are called gazex. They are used to prevent avalanches.They are managed remotely. Sometimes before the domain opens, you hear "boom", detonations. The gazex will cause an explosion, a wave which may or may not trigger an avalanche. They are located in strategic places, for example in a corridor overhanging a ski run. The aim is to provoke an avalanche artificially.