En route... for the flatlands?

Yesterday, i set off, armed with 4 ski poles, an overfilled backpack and a bag of cold baked potatoes 

(my new favourite mountain food). 

I traveled by bus into Italy, then back into France on skis, carving a roundabout route across some of the Alps, in order to get to where I will be meeting Dan tomorrow.

About the 5th sunrise of the day, right on the Franco-Italian border.

Flying the flag of my towel, in order to freeze dry it in the bitter wind.

Potato with Val d'Isère in the distance

Today I have been exploring some icy woods in the shadowy frost of a steep, deep valley.

This evening I am sitting in a cupboard in a youth hostel, pondering the meaning of life before the mayhem begins tomorrow. The aim, after Dan and I meet up, somewhere ridiculously far north in the French flatlands, will be to drive to wherever the best snow is. Judging by the current snow reports, it looks like we'll be heading east, into lands unknown...