Photo: 
A Hillside in France

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Twelve Days In France: A ski odyssey

Day One. February 10, 1994


copyright 1994,1995 Wesley Alan Wright

Les Sept Laux: Prapoutel, Pipay, and Le Pleynet (Francais)
Les Sept Laux: Prapoutel, Pipay, and Le Pleynet (English)
Base1350m (4428')Summit2400m (7872')
Maximum Vertical1050m (3444')Skied Vertical774m (2538')

Just another small local French resort, composed of three stations. Fifty marked pistes, 31 teleskis (poma and T-bar lifts), 7 chair lifts.

Actually, quite nice, with some tree lined trails down at the bottom and plenty of good snow. Many alternate 'between piste' routes to follow, too, so one could have a lot of fun without diving too far into the unknown. Found several short powder caches, and there were even a few glades I saw but which I didn't have a chance to ski.

Prapoutel is directly across the Valley of the Isere river from Biviers, where I stayed with my friends Elizabeth and Gilles. With binoculars, one can actually see the lifts from Elizabeth's front porch.

A fine, friendly family area, and the only place I skied that had a salle de hors sac to put on your boots, leave your shoes, and eat your sack lunch. Cheap, too. 110FF for a full day, 80FF for a half. At the going exchange rate, that was about $18.50 for a full day of skiing at a place the size (or bigger) than Snowbird, Utah.

This place is a keeper.

On to Day 02, Alpe D'Huez...


Copyright 1995. Ski France Special

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Send comments to Wesley Alan Wright (email Wesley.Wright@uvm.edu) Last update November 15, 1995