We should enjoy our precious snow in France, even though it seems that the UK has ground to a melodramatic standstill – as I type it is the dark days of February 2nd – with Radio 4 offering the standard doom and gloom.
However most of us lucky contributors to the fine site of AMB live here year round, and despite a bit of huffing and puffing about the state of the grey skies – we are very lucky – really – soon the skies WILL be blue again.
At the moment we hear our local ski station at La Colmiane can be enjoyed mid week – wait for it – without anyone else around.Horrah for that – but with the school holidays approaching and the kids yelling for “all things white” – why not enjoy a quiet family day out snow shoeing from La Colmiane.
Head up the D202 and then approach the resort either via the Tinée valley or the Vésubie. Bring your own snow shoes or hire them from one of the shops in the small ski resort. Either leave the kids to the excitement of down hill quick stuff, or if too young and malleable – bring ‘em along.
Head down towards the pretty village of Saint Dalmas, where from the north side of the village you will find a tarmac road which has the familiar red and white striped markings of the GR5.
Continue along this path until an intersection 75 which is signposted to the Col de la Madeleine. It is a mere 200m of ascent, first through open country, and then through forest before coming to another decision making point – whether to carry on to the Col de la Madeleine at 1736 m or carry on to a very pleasant lunch spot at the Séréna.
Carry on to Col du Puei and then to the Col de Séréna at just 1307 m.
Over lunch enjoy your sandwich looking over the pretty fortified village of Rimplas and back towards La Colmiane.
The kids can scamper about whilst you gather yourself together for a short walk back and the promise of a quick look round the medieval village of Saint-Dalmas – watch out for the stalactites on the eaves.
More excitingly a vin chaud or hot chocolate at the Pensée Sauvage (just to the right of the ski pass booth) with lovely Luc, awaits you in La Colmiane before you head south.
Whatever your fancy – it is a very pleasant half day out – silence – birds – views – convivial lunch – the finest!!
Map IGN 3641 ER
