The end of last week and the weekend saw heavy snowfall in Verbier. Thursday was a lovely clear day with good snow both on and off the piste. The weekend saw the heaviest snowfall with Geneva airport being closed on Saturday for a short time which led to delayed flights. The snow finally began to subside late on Saturday giving those on the mountain the chance to get fresh tracks before lifts closed. Sunday was one of those perfect days which you will remember for the rest of your life, fresh powder, clear blue skies and sunshine. We spent most of the day over at Savoleyres but did Tortin later in the day and even though it had been skied considerably by this time there was still a considerable amount of fresh snow left, though bumps were starting to appear again. By today (Thursday) most of the resort is pretty tracked out. The bumps as you come off the lip of Tortin have got pretty big again though once you get past the initial steep part the snow is still quite nice. Plan du Fou is also getting pretty bumpy but again the lower part still has some nice snow on it. Snow coverage on the pistes is pretty good. Yesterday there were bumps everywhere making it a challenge to get down to Medran on very tired legs, but today most of the bumps were gone and though some of the runs were a little crowded in places it was another perfect day on piste. Tomorrow snow showers are forecast and these look set to persist for the rest of the week with sun breaking though now and then. Avalanche risk is currently set at 3 with the path from Savoleyres to Verbier (route Carrefour) closed yesterday and today and also Col-de-mines and Vallon d’arbai. There have been a number of slides and a fatality in the past two days so care needs to be taken when venturing off into the fresh stuff!

 Last Thursday saw the legend that is Yellow Mike play his last show in resort until April and a very crowded Wednesday Farinet with epic bar dancing. Tomorrow (Tuesday) sees chav night return to Pub Mont Fort and at the Sport Center winter polo will be being played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening this weekend. We have the army in town this week so resort is pretty busy, Camouflage was in abundance at the Medran this afternoon!

Having had perfect, clear blue skies and sunshine since New Years day a major snow dump on the resort was needed. Many of the runs had started to get pretty icy in places and bare patches were appearing over towards Nendaz and Siviez. Gentianes had a lot of rocks poking through by Friday of last week though there was still some really nice snow in places down the edges. The bumps on all the itinerary runs were getting pretty huge and icy.  Fire struck in resort on Thursday night with the building behind Big Bens catching fire and the fire spreading to Big Bens which was quite badly damaged and is now closed for the foreseeable future. The Rookies contest on Saturday saw an assortment of crazy outfits including a fair few one pieces and by all accounts was a great day for both competitors and spectators. As the week drew to a close there was fierce speculation in resort over whether snow would come……. Early Sunday afternoon the first few flakes began to fall with the snow getting heavier as evening came. Savoleyres was closed in the afternoon and all the high cable cars in the Mont Fort area. Monday saw more snow with some lifts closed but although visibility was poor in the village and below Medran, up top it was clear and the snow was perfect. Monday night saw more snowfall with many lifts shut first thing and blasting could be heard. By ten most lifts except the high ones around Mont Fort were open. In the cloud visibility was very poor but once you got above it the sun was out and it was a perfect day with plenty of fresh powder and eerily quiet slopes. As I write this the snow has begun to fall again. Tomorrow (Wed) is meant to be clear with the bad weather closing back in on Thursday and Friday.

It was a snowy start to the New Year as snow began to fall mid day on Wednesday getting heavier as 2008 drew to a close. Many of the runs particularly around the Verbier area had begun to get a bit icy in places so this fresh covering was very welcome. The snow did little to dampen the New Year celebrations in the town with place central literally heaving as midnight approached and hundreds of fireworks going off. I spent the New Year, from what I remember, in Wonder bar which wasn’t too crowded and was probably the cheapest place to get into in resort. Also made a quick stop into Mont Fort on the way home to bed, breakfast shots all round….. When in Verbier! Looking forward to new years week being over as the resort has been horribly busy with 30 minute queues at Medran and Savoleyres and similar queues at most of the lifts around the immediate Verbier area. I headed down to Nendaz on Tuesday morning where the slopes were reasonably empty, the snow was good and in the sun nice and warm. Areas in the shade on the mountain have been bitterly cold for the past week. Tortin was great on Tuesday morning with the top path very bumpy but good snow coverage in most places. The Plan-du-Fou itinerary underneath the cable car was icy in places but still made for a really nice run. Queues down here were almost non-existent. Apart from Tuesday my presence on the mountain has been kind of lacking this week, too many people, too many queues…… 

New Years day was all clear blue skies, sunshine and a light covering of fresh snow though a lot of the pistes by the end of the day were starting to get quite bumpy with patches of ice in places.

Overall it’s been a great start to the season, snow coverage is generally good and with the festive period ending the hordes will be leaving town giving us all some room to breathe and ski again! 

Yesterday, with only 5-7cm of fresh snow and very cold conditions, the conditions were typical dust on crust. There were some highlights however, the northern aspects that were protected from the wind collected about 10-20cm. So we had some good turns off the Mont Gelee and those who got up early made some nice turns in the col de mouche. Supposedly the back side of the Mont-Fort was filled in too.

Current conditions:

A little cloudy, pretty warm and no precipitation.

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 5 cm

Ø 2200m - 118 cm

Ø 2950m - 110 cm

Snow Conditions:

Everything below 2500 is frozen solid, the upper alpine on the northern slopes is the only place to find good skiing.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

“The avalanche prone locations are to be found, in particular, on wind-loaded slopes of all aspects above approximately 2000 m. Here as well, fresh snow drift accumulations are the main danger, but they remain small and not very widespread for the time being. They are to be avoided.”SLF.ch

Forecast:

Mostly sun with a few clouds for the next two days.

Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch

www.chocolatefreeride.com

It snowed about 2 cm two days ago, so on Wednesday, with two friends visiting from the US, we went to have a look at the North Side of the Mont Gelee. Sure enough, the Couloirs had caught some of the snow and pushed it up on to the right side. It was kind of like surfing a right hand wave on skis. When it hasn’t snowed in three weeks anything is good! The clouds have been blowing through and it FEELS like something is going to happen but, the buzz from the local patrolers is not as positive as I’d like to be.

Current conditions:

A little cloudy, pretty warm and no precipitation.

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 25 cm

Ø 2200m - 110 cm

Ø 2950m - 102 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are hard but south facing slopes are turning to spring corn in the afternoon. Some of the slopes that are facing south are turning rotten. With the sun gone the mid mountain is not softening up, so it’s getting harder and harder to ski off-piste. The high alpine north facing slopes are still “skiable”.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The Avalanche danger is low but the chance of wet slides is high. These move quite slowly but are still dangerous to the unaware.

” Completely apart from the time of day, full depth snowslides continue to be expected in all regions. Open glide cracks are indicators of this hazard. Lingering beneath such glide cracks should be avoided whenever possible. In all regions, wet avalanches and full depth snowslides can, in isolated cases, place exposed sections of transportation routes, e.g. ski runs and pass roads, at risk.
The danger of dry avalanches is “low” (Level 1). Isolated avalanche prone locations are found in extremely steep gullies and bowls with snowdrift in particular.” SLF.ch
Forecast:

A little snow on Saturday. Sunny and warm on Sunday.

Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch

www.chocolatefreeride.com

A couple of days ago we went on the hunt for some fresh snow (it hasn’t snowed here in over two weeks so the pickings are slim). He headed to the very top: Mont Fort. From there we skinned to the Col de Prafleuri. To our right was the Rosablanche and below us just beyond our view the massive Barrage (dam) de La that holds back the Lac des Dix. We took off our skins and traversed below the looming cliffs of the Pointes des Autans. Chamoix whistled and perched high above let us know we were in there domain. We stuck our skins back on for a short ascent to our hidden stash: the Point D’Alleves. Our ski down was great but the snow was old so it took a bit of getting used to. You had to sort of let go and let the skis guide you through each turn. When we got midway down to the larger bowl you could really open it up. At the bottom in a little hamlet called Pralong we stopped for a a well deserved lemonade/beer. We took the bus to Thyon and started the long trek back to Verbier covering the entire Four Valleys. Great day out!

Current conditions:

It’s still sunny!

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 25 cm

Ø 2200m - 111 cm

Ø 2950m - 100 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are hard but south facing slopes are turning to spring corn by the afternoon. In some areas though where the wind is blowing the snow is staying firm. On North facing slopes protected from the wind there are isolated pockets of pow but they are few and far between.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The Avalanche danger is still decreasing. but…

“ In the course of the day on steep sunny slopes below about 2500 m, wet snowslides and avalanches are possible. Completely apart from the time of day, isolated full depth wet snowslides continue to be possible. Open glide cracks are indicators of this hazard.” SLF.ch

Forecast:

It will continue to be sunny well into next week. Maybe some high clouds this weekend.

Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch

Sunny weather has settled in and no snow is in the forecast.

Current conditions:

“ On Tuesday it remained sunny with very good visibility over a long distance. The midday temperature at 2000 m was about minus 1 degree. The easterly wind was mostly light, but moderate at times.
The quality of the near-surface layers of the snowpack depends on the solar radiation. On very steep south facing slopes, a melt-freeze crust has formed in many areas. It is generally strong in the mornings, but prone to melting during the day before refreezing. On the northern flank of the Alps and in the high- altitude regions of the main Alpine ridge in particular, the snowpack has also been significantly influenced by the earlier wind. In places that are protected from the wind and shady, however, powder snow is still to be found in all regions.
Faceted, weakly bonded layers exist in the snowpack in the inneralpine regions of Valais and Grisons in particular. This applies, in particular, in areas with shallow snow cover close to the tree line and in areas above the tree line that are protected from the wind. In these places, skis can often penetrate the snow down to the ground.” SLF.ch

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 25 cm

Ø 2200m - 116 cm

Ø 2950m - 100 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are hard but south facing slopes are turning to spring corn by the afternoon. In some areas though where the wind is blowing the snow is staying firm. On North facing slopes protected from the wind there are isolated pockets of pow but they are few and far between.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The Avalanche danger is still decreasing. but…

“ In view of the solar radiation, small wet snow slides are to be expected on very steep sunny slopes, and in particular arising from terrain that is interspersed with rocks, below approximately 2600 m. Isolated full-depth wet snow slides are also possible.” SLF.ch

Forecast:

It will continue to be sunny well into next week.

Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch

With little to report here in Verbier (but not because), I leave today for Gulmarg, Kashmir, India. Chris Liebing will join me and we will meet up with our infamous guide John Falkiner. To learn more about this ski adventure head to my website www.chocolatefreeride.com.
I know it’s cheesy but I want to thank everyone who has helped me be able to this. Jesse, my brother, for leading the way and inspiration, Corinne, my wife, who’s support is invaluable and Chris who’s stoke for life and laugh create smiles and pleasure to so many people. And to everyone else who has helped me along the way, thank you.
See you on the 8th of Feb…
Josh

Yesterday was a classic Verbier powder day. It only snowed about 15-20cm but the wind had filled in the narrows and the east facing slopes. We drew high speed GS turns from the Attelas couloirs to the North facing chutes of the Mont Gelee.

Current conditions:

“On Wednesday it was predominantly sunny. Midday temperatures at 2000 m were minus 4 degrees. Moderate northerly winds prevailed. The snow layering is generally favourable. The snowdrift accumulations from Tuesday of this week, are [slowly] consolidating.” Slf.ch

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 25 cm

Ø 2200m - 131 cm

Ø 2950m - 120 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are variable because the wind has been blowing a lot of snow around. There is more snow mid-mountain and in the trees. The west face of open areas and ridges has been buffed clean in most areas. As you approach the treeline it gets better. East facing couloirs and bowls is where it’s at, especially mid-mountain.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The Avalanche danger is decreasing but it’s still important to use extra caution because of the very bottom layer which never bonded solidly.

“The avalanche prone locations are found on steep slopes in all aspects. On the southern flank of the Alps the avalanche prone locations are found above approximately 2000 m. Avalanches can be triggered particularly by large additional loading in the uppermost snowdrift layers from this week. Prudent route planning is recommended.” Slf.ch

Forecast:

“On Thursday it will be generally sunny. In the course of the afternoon, cloudbanks will move in from the northwest. The midday temperature at 2000 m will be plus 2 degrees. Light to moderate southwesterly winds will prevail. On Friday it will be increasingly sunny… On Saturday it will be sunny and mild. The avalanche danger will continue to diminish, but very gradually.” Slf.ch

Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch

It snowed today, so we skied the trees hunting for pockets of untouched pow. Tomorrow will be Sunny with a coat of 10 to 15 covering everything.

Current conditions

“Tuesday was very cloudy and it snowed. Since Monday night, the following amounts of snow have fallen: northern flank of the Eastern and Central Swiss Alps 20 to 30 cm or even more in some localities; northern flank of the Western Swiss Alps, Valais, the Gotthard region and from Surselva and northern Grisons to Samnaun 10 to 20 cm; in the remaining regions less than 10 cm. Midday temperatures at 2000 m were about minus 5 degrees in the north and 0 degrees in Ticino. The wind was strong, [with powerful gusts coming] from the northwest.” slf.ch
“In many places the conditions gave rise to fresh snow drift accumulations that are prone to triggering. The still loosely bonded old snow in particular was transported on the southern flank of the Alps and in Upper Engadine, and the fresh snow in particular in the north. The snowpack is weak especially in southern Upper Valais, northern and central Grisons, Engadine and Münstertal.” ‘…avalanches can be released in deeper layers of the snowpack.” slf.ch

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 25 cm

Ø 2200m - 129 cm

Ø 2950m - 115 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are variable because the wind has been blowing a lot of snow around. There is more snow mid-mountain. Up high it’s been buffed clean in some areas. As you approach the treeline it gets better and better. Especially, where the sun hasn’t affected the snow too much.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The Avalanche danger is still at 3 but in areas that have been skied and where the slope is less than 45 degrees it is reasonably safe.

Forecast:

“On Tuesday night the weather will clear. Wednesday will be mostly sunny. Midday temperatures at 2000 m will be about 0 degrees in the west and minus 4 degrees in the east. The northerly wind will ease to light to moderate in the morning.
Further snow drift accumulations that are prone to triggering will form during the night.”

“On Thursday the weather will be mostly sunny and mild. On Thursday night some snow will fall in the north. Friday will be increasingly sunny again in the north and mostly sunny in the south. In the north and south, the avalanche danger will decrease slowly. In the inneralpine regions it will not change significantly.” Slf.ch

Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch