We actually came over to try for the Marbree couloir, but when we got to the Palud lift, the queues were enormous. We made a reservation only then but could only get a 10.30am lift, and being a very hot day starting the descent at about noon felt like it would be way too late. So we gave up on that idea and went over to Courmeyeur proper. Benoit had an idea about a couloir he'd like to do, so we took the top lift to Col d'Arp, skied south down the Vallon di Youla a km or so, hung a right behind Mont Nix and then skinned up that side valley to the west. In the head of the valley we climbed up north to get to a lovely north-facing slope with a nice couloir (perhaps 35-40 degrees) that had not been ridden since the last snow-fall. The snow was cold, not crusty at all, and deep. A lovely short descent, followed by a long run-out and a bit of a walk for me (boo, snowboarder) along the flat Val Veni to the Zerotta cafe and chair. At that point, I called it quits as my knee was a bit sore (lingering tendonitus) and took the chance for some cake and coffee! A good save. We'll try for Marbree again tomorrow with some new reservations we made for 8.45am.
More pics here...
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