Tarquin

Access

As you leave the Plantrey chairlift head skiers right on Arolles blue piste, follow until the piste flattens and a red piste junction appears to your left. At this point head across a section of flattish ungroomed terrain, aiming to the left end of the old ski lift building. There is a small knoll, skiers left of the building on the other side of the cat track, this is the entry point to Tarquin. Follow the obvious wide channel between the trees over a couple of rollers until you rejoin the Arolles piste. At any point if you are in doubt, opt for heading skiers right as this will more quickly reunite you with the piste.

Its north facing and just over 2000m elevation, so the snow quality tends to be pretty good through to the early spring. It averages below 30° so avalanche risk is pretty low, however the thrill excitement comes from the two very short steepish pitches, the first of which has a generous run out and the second reunites you with the piste.

Assuming a Snowpack of 30cm or more, you’ll be very unlikely to find any rocks, tree stumps or roots, this makes Tarquin is a great choice for all but first time FreeRiders. It’s a particularly good choice if you are thinking of heading on down to ski the Narnia line or visibility is poor in the Alpine.

Tech

All you need is your TSP and the knowledge of how to use them and you’re ready to Ride.

Stoke

Tarquin may be short, very easy to access and low on the gnar bar, however it punches above its weight when it comes to Stoke. In the right conditions this line is a great blast between pistes, with a couple of very short steeps followed by some easy run outs. There are also a couple of line choices, as to where you rejoin the piste, with varying levels of challenge.

Gnar

Tarquin may not be for those serious about shredding the gnar but for budding FreeRiders it does have its challenges.

Awe

Particularly beautiful after a fresh fall of snow, Tarquin is lined by established snow covered pines, affords beautiful views down the Bozel Valley towards Moûtiers, an occasional glimpse of La Plagne on the opposite ridge, as well the treat of seeing the little white church ‘Notre Dame des Neiges’ sitting on a rocky outcrop above the village of Montagny.