Report from February 24, 2026

Yesterday I met up with my new buddy Pierre, whom I’d met during that illegal powder day at Les Arcs four days ago.

He grew up here, so I just smiled, nodded, and followed him around all day.

It was crazy hot again and this was my 4th day in a row of wearing just base layers and shells.

Another secret spot with Pierre. Image: SnowBrains

We went straight to the top, dropped off the back, and saw no one. No one except two dogs on what appeared to be on a full-blown mountaineering mission.

Even Pierre said he’d never seen anything like it.

Just some village dogs out for an extreme alpine jaunt. Typical France.

Snow Donkeys! Image: SnowBrains

Even the dogs are more hardcore out here.

Our first runs off the back were wide-open, orange-peel snow and pure fun.

We walked through a village and skied back to a chairlift because in France, you ain’t gotta hike much, there’s always a piste and a lift waiting for yas.

Pierre leading the way. Image: SnowBrains

From there, we headed back up to the top of the Aiguille Rouge (there’s a tunnel on the summit right now and Pierre said he’s never seen that much snow up there ever) and dropped into the formidable front side.

Not exactly my usual style. It was no-fall zone into no-fall zone into another no-fall zone, finishing through a tight exit gully.

But the snow was good, and to Pierre it might as well have been a mellow blue groomer.

Chamonix? Image: SnowBrains

Another short hike led us into my favorite zone of the day.

Chutes on chutes on chutes.

One even had a mandatory air with a straight-line exit onto a massive apron that felt eerily similar to The Chimney at Palisades Tahoe.

We skied this. Image: SnowBrains

I was buzzing all day, snapping photos of the absurd lift-accessed terrain that had me drooling.

Of all the places we’ve skied on this trip — Serre Chevalier, La Grave, Méribel, Courchevel, Tignes, Val d’Isère, Sainte-Foy — I think Les Arcs is the one for me.

It doesn’t hurt that I’ve got a new buddy named Pierre who skis circles around me and knows every nook and cranny of this mountain.

Skied this chute w/ Pierre. Image: SnowBrains

It also doesn’t hurt that linked with La Plagne, this becomes the second-largest ski resort on Earth.

Right now, my plan is to start coming out here one month per year, likely in March, and then start doing full seasons here as soon as possible.

Now I need to learn French.

Mont Blanc. Image: SnowBrains

This is the spot.

Powder day #20 in a row here.

I’m so tired…

Merci, Pierre et la France.

Blue! Image: SnowBrains
unpredictable large avalanches are still happening daily. Image: SnowBrains

These guys dropped in, did 2 airs and did 40′ 360ºs on the second air… Image: SnowBrains
Rainbow. Image: SnowBrains
…and I had to pee so bad… Image: SnowBrains

Cool hut. Image: SnowBrains
Sainte Foy ski resort. Image: SnowBrains
Pierre likes it. Image: SnowBrains

Pierre shredding. Image: SnowBrains
Pierre in deep. Image: SnowBrains
Small Pierre and Another hut. Image: SnowBrains

Back of Aiguille Rouge. Image: SnowBrains
Aiguille Rouge. Image: SnowBrains
Hut. Image: SnowBrains

Big lines. Image: SnowBrains
I love the springwater all over the alpes. Image: SnowBrains
Village walker. Image: SnowBrains

Village donkey life. Image: SnowBrains
Pierre in the village. Image: SnowBrains
Easy hike to off-piste terrain. Image: SnowBrains

Great off-piste terrain. Image: SnowBrains
Art. Image: SnowBrains
To the top. Image: SnowBrains

Valdez. Image: SnowBrains
This tunnel ain’t normally here. Image: SnowBrains
Palisades Tahoe? Image: SnowBrains

More off-piste terrains. Image: SnowBrains
It’s endless… Image: SnowBrains
This place is large. Image: SnowBrains

The funicular is amazing. Image: SnowBrains
Funi. Image: SnowBrains
Apres ski. Image: SnowBrains

Pierre is a handsome devil. Image: SnowBrains
La Plagne and Les Arcs from my room. Image: SnowBrains
Aime. Image: SnowBrains

Sunset. Image: SnowBrains
Miles dropping in at Les Arcs. Image: SnowBrains