Skating into Spring

As family and friends back home mention how the mornings are getting darker, we too have noticed the change of seasons here. Daffodils are blooming, magnolias are flowering, bushes and trees have begun to bud and the birds are singing! Although the temperature is warming up slightly - hovering around 10-15°C, the rain has become more prominent.  So when the weather forecast for the weekend looked stunning, we decided to tick off another of our 'things to do while in Grenoble' list and go Nordic skiing.

In our hire car, we drove up to Autrans, a small village ~ 45 mins drive from Grenoble, renown for 200km of nordic trails. It hosted the 1968 Olympic Games - the biathlon, cross country skiing, nordic combined and ski jumping. The Vecors looking absolutely stunning in the morning light. Steam rising off the road as the snow retreats. Autrans is in the Vecors Plateau and looked as pretty as a picture.

 

We arrived at the Nordic Sports Centre in Autrans which was abuzz with skiers in fancy dress competing in the Derby de la Moliere, an end of the season, 13km cross country ski race. Of course we weren't there to participate but rather to hire some skating skis for the day. That process was quick and easy and we were soon ourselves testing out the skis while waiting for the shuttle bus to arrive.

Being late in the season, the nordic trails around the village of Autrans were patchy and it was suggested to us the catch the free shuttle bus to Geve, an area slightly higher in altitude than Autrans with still good snow cover over the trails.

It was slow going to begin with for some! Andy skated along easily, Ella showed off her natural ability, Katy was going great guns and improving with every step and I brought up the rear with slow jerky non skating like movements! We made our way around the first loop of the green trail before stopping for a picnic lunch.

Continuing on to the second and then the third loops of the green trail, we were getting a bit better at skating but not up the hills! Tiredness was accumulating with some members of the family becoming frustrated.

  

Once finishing the green trail, the girls detoured to the Refuge de Geve leaving Andy to enjoy some proper skating by himself without anyone holding him up. Sometime later Andy joined us and as we soaked up the sun and a beverage, the girls played with an orange in the snow. From the refuge, it was a short skate back to the bus stop arriving in plenty of time for the 3.45pm bus.

Back in Autrans, we returned our hire gear and headed for the car. Andy thought we were heading home ... but eagle-eyed daughters had noticed that the luge track was still open. Both girls were keen for a few rides. On the first ride Andy and Katy were on one luge and Ella and I were on the another one. The 1.3km ride was full of turns and dips and we loved every bit. Andy sat out the second ride. Ella went by herself while I rode with Katy. On the final ride I remained at the bottom. A very fun way to finish the day.