Rogier van Rijn

It starts with an email from a friend: "Have you seen this line through the cave?" he asks, adding a link to the website of a local extreme skier who had skied this unique descent through natural caves and tunnels. When I see the pictures, I can hardly believe my eyes: simply amazing! Skiing through a cave system. We simply have to do this descent. The plan is quickly made. Together with my (ski) partner Sandra and a friend, we set off for the "Chourum Olympique", the name of this unique cave couloir.

For skitourers who want steep terrain with not much of an approach, it can?t be much better than the Combeynot Pic Ouest. This high mountain looms up just above the col du Lautaret, is latterly full of nice faces and couloirs for experienced ski tourers. Even the ?normal? route boosta a nice 100 meters couloir which is just a little steeper then 45°. The ultimate playground for great riding and that from November to June.

All freeriders who are riding in Puy saint Vincent (with great possibilities for powder riding, between trees or in open terrain) will be looking at the huge backside of the station at some point. The col de Bal encompasses immense terrain with lots of powder, but above this ?secret spot? are plenty of nice couloirs and faces to be done. The most classic line is the Col de Queyrettes, where good snow conditions are quite normal. And whilst you are walking up you will see enough nice faces for weeks of freeriding.