New Year, New Headgear?

As you all set off to celebrate the New Year, it's worth sparing a thought for Sandy and Nicol. After all, in this day and age there can surely be no excuse for wearing a bandana without even a trace of irony?

Now, young Sandy may have the excuse of youth, but Nicol should surely know better by now...

However, this is nothing if not a democratic blog, and we want your views. So please send all views to sandy@europeansnowsport.com and we'll let you know what you the people have decided.

So far Heather from the Pub Mont Fort has voted for the bandana (although she is Australian) as has Katrina from the Bristol Hotel.

Everybody else in the whole of Western Switzerland has correctly identified the trend as rubbish...




Anyway, send us your opinions and hopefully we'll be able to cure these two of their terrible affliction.

In the meantime Happy New Year from everyone at ES, and brace yourselves - serious snow is due to hit tomorrow...more soon...

I'm so Lucky

Your faithful Snow reporter and ES social commentator Guy, gets to grips with one of our Swiss instructors.

Is it me...

...or are Ski Instructors getting younger? Well, whilst we've been debating if we can find a jacket in Igor's size, we've also been taking heart from the rumour that proper winter weather is due to hit next week...

As soon as it happens (or if it gets 'delayed' again) we'll let you know.

Verbier slopes crowded but with snow

Verbier - one of the few European resorts with decent snow cover is packed with holidaymakers seeking snow. Snow conditions on the main mountain are still good although the main runs are crowded and lift queues are long.

New uniforms for the Swedish instructors

at European snowsports

Crowds at the top of the funispace

None of the itinerary routes are open as yet although Mont Fort is available to those seeking challenging skiing.

Savoleyres is a useful alternative to those seeking quieter slopes and few queues. There are limited runs open but enough to keep skiers of all standards entertained for a few hours. The Route Carrefour is open providing access to the Marmotte and Namaste Restaurants at the base of Savoleyres. However - watch out for the poor snow coverage at the end of the run - a small walk is required down the last section to the Carrefour restaurant.

A new snack bar - the Yeti - is also now available for light refreshments at the Carrefour roundabout.

Although a few clouds drifted across the sky today no snow is forecast until well into next week - long live the snow cannons.........

The New Yeti bar at Carrefour

Happy skiers

Surfing season

Ahhhh, Apres Ski. That's right, after a long summer spent waiting, the Apres Ski bar at Farinet has re-opened and last night the first crowd-surfers of the season took flight.

And Apres Ski also means that their legendary Happy Hour is back between 4 and 5. Naturally, everbody from ES heads straight home as soon as our lessons finish, so you won't find any of us in there. Especiallly not Kato.

Anyway, here's what it looked like...

Detailed Verbier Snow Report With Video

Well maintained slopes on the main mountain are standing up well to the crowds of holidaymakers. Runs are at their best during the morning. Later in the afternoon there are extensive patches of hard pack on the steeper slopes. It is now possible to ski all the way back to Medran, but try to come down before 3pm when the runs down the mountain are very busy.

Inside at Chez Simon - Savoleyres

At Savoleyres the blue airport run remains closed due to poor snow coverage however the red run from the top down to the Tailley lift is open. It is possible to ski down to the Les Etablons lift on the La Tzoumaz side and the Sud lift on the front side is also open. A track has been pisted along the road on the front side to allow skiers access to the Route Carrefour so you can ski back to the main mountain.


">Les Esserts Video
Good News at Les Esserts - the bottom section of the button lift is now open. This gives beginners a slightly steeper slope to practice on before progressing to the main mountain.

Meteo Suisse shows sun and daytime temperatures of +10 degrees C for the rest of this week. Bets on when there will be more snow are forecasting 4th/5th January.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWkWKrlmqog

More lifts open for the crowds

Christmas Eve in Verbier feels more like a spring day with warm temperatures and stunning blue skies. On the mountains the snow cannons are maintaining the snow well for the crowds arriving for the Christmas festivities.

Excellent news for improving beginners and intermediates looking for easy blue runs The Tailley lift has now opened in Savoleyres allowing access to the wide blue airport run. Savoleyres is reached by taking any of the buses from Medran two stops to the bottom of the Savoleyres gondola.

On the main mountain the 1936 Bar situated halfway between Medran and Ruinettes had its opening party yesterday and provides welcome après ski on the way home down the mountain as well as daytime drinks and snacks.

The magic carpet ski escalator is working at Les Esserts giving access to two easy slopes for beginners. The free No 2 Hameau bus runs from Medran every 15 minutes to the area. Day tickets for 5 francs are available at the booth near the road.
Piste machines are hard at work preparing the snow for the button drag lift but this is not yet operational.

Despite some travel problems from the UK the resort has filled up with seasonal holidaymakers both on the slopes and seeking last minutes presents in the shops. The ski schools are also very busy. Skiers and borders looking to improve their technique need to should book in advance to secure lessons.

For the rest of this week the forecast is for sun and daytime temperatures increasing to around 10 C at resort level.

Watching and waiting...

With a massive ridge of high pressure on top of Switzerland for the past week we might not have had any more snow, but the temperature's stayed well below zero and the sun's been blazing down everyday, so the views have been amazing.

The view from the bottom of the Mont Fort cable car was certainly spectacular when we headed up - and if the boys behave we might get up to the very top and have a look from up there sometime next week...

Good news is that the high pressure is off after Boxing Day, so we might get a bit of snow coming in before the New Year...


...the view on the piste down to La Chaux, with Bruson in the background.




...Cabin du Tortin enjoys some sunshine.




...Igor and Karsten have a breather at Col des Gentianes.



...young Gregor relaxes after tackling the gnarly North Face of Les Esserts.

The other big news in resort is that Sandy and I no longer have the monopoly on falling over - Charlie is making it his personal mission to take Sandy's crown, and he put in some sterling practice last night in The Pub Mont Fort. Again.

Verbier snow cannons working hard!

With more snow than many other top European resorts Verbier continues to be sunny but chilly. Conditions on open runs are generally good due to the extensive use of snow cannons. Early starts are advised to make the most of the freshly pisted slopes. Late afternoon we are experiencing some slick areas of hard pack particularly on the lower slopes of Attelas just before Ruinettes. Ski servicing is likely to be at a premium this week - make sure you get your equipment booked in!

snow cannons at La Chaux

Yesterday the 2-man Combe 1 lift was working for the first time this season. The lift running from the Au Mayen restaurant up to Ruinettes allows access to a wide black run in good condition that then funnels down to a steep red with some good sections. Watch out for grit on the slope at the end of the track linking the red and black runs.

Today the new 6-man Attelas lift opened up running from below Ruinettes up to the right hand side of Attelas. The lift gives access to Lac des Vaux and to the top section of Attelas running back down the front of the mountain. The Powder Spirit Bar at the top of the new lift is also now open with live DJ action.

The La Chaux Express also started running today. This lift – newly installed last year – has both 6-man chairs and gondolas. Skiers taking the chairs must disembark at the first stage at the top of the ridge dividing La Chaux from Attelas. Those taking the gondola can continue over the ridge to the bottom of the La Chaux bowl itself.

Good news for beginners progressing from the nursery slopes at Les Esserts. The easy blue run at La Chaux can now be reached using the La Chaux Express gondola and the La Chaux 2 four man lift.

The run from the bottom of the Combe 1 lift back down to Medran is still not officially open and is worth avoiding if you want to save your skis. Savoleyres still has just the Le Nord lift running but we hope to see the Tailley lift open at the weekend to allow access to the easy blue airport run – ideal for intermediates.

The long term forecast from Meteo Suisse shows sun to the end of next week. Some locals have now started doing snow dances to encourage the clouds!

Josh at Surefoot looking for snow-sign

More sun into the next week

The sun continues to shine on Verbier and is likely to do so for some time to come. The last snowfall was on Monday when we had a couple of inches deposited over a 12 hour period.

The skiable area on the main mountain remains restricted for the moment to Lac des Vaux, Attelas, Mont Fort and the La Chaux area on the main mountain. Mont Fort has now mogulled up although the steeper area on the left hand side of the cable is reported to still be powder snow.

Savoleyres has the circuit from the top round to the Le Nord lift open. The area was almost empty this afternoon and provides a crowd free alternative to the main mountain. There is still some dry powder available to keen off-pisters along the ridge under the Le Nord lift. Vegetation is showing through in places here but there are hardly any rocks. There is now a pisted track leading from the top of Le Nord lift all the way to the red carving piste on the back of the mountain – a great improvement to the run that petered out to a narrow bumpy traverse last year.

Conditions in all the open areas are good due to the snowmaking facilities which have been working hard to maintain the snow. The magic carpet at Les Esserts is also open for beginners, the button lift remains closed for the present.

Other areas have now been pisted in preparation for the coming holiday week and it is hoped that pistes down from Ruinettes and the airport run at Savoleyres may be opened up to ensure we have space for the holiday crowds.

Need a quick lunchtime snack on the way up to Savoleyres? The bakery at the base of the lift station stays open through lunchtime to provide a variety of sandwiches and sweet things.

Meteo Suisse longer range forecast shows sun and rising temperatures well into next week so sunscreen is advised. Fed up with the limited pistes? Maybe a good time to brush up on technique instead

Back to school

After a long wait Verbier is buzzing again and full of people getting their first turns of the season, which means everyone at ES is back on the snow and largely getting to mess about and have fun skiing instead of having to do proper jobs...

Anyway, here are few pics of us doing what we do best - messing about and banging on about skiing...



...Ollie proves that he owns the shortest tongue in the entire Northern Hemisphere.




... Anders (our self-styled Swedish iceman) gets caught smiling.




...Lucas builds the worlds biggest snowball.




...the sudden hot chocolate rush sends Karsten into yet another "funny mood"...

4 valleys and Mont Fort open

It’s Sunday afternoon and the clouds have rolled in at last. Temperatures have dropped and a small amount of snow is falling up above Ruinettes. We hope for a little more overnight but the next large fall is predicted for Wednesday.

Yesterday saw the opening of Mont Fort and the link to the 4 valleys via Siviez. Crowds headed up for first runs from the top of the resort this season. Snow conditions on Mont Fort itself were very good with some deep, if heavy, powder. The track from Col des Gentianes back to La Chaux is open but many preferred to take the Jumbo lift back down as the coverage was a little sketchy.

A group of us took advantage of the 4 valley opening to tour across from Siviez via Veysonnaz over to Thyon. While the route is now possible many pistes have thin cover and the Mayens de L’Ours race piste good at the top is very rocky at the bottom – take your older skis if planning a day out. A recommended restaurant situated between Nendaz and Veysonnaz is the Aux Chottes - a lovely wooden hut warmed by log burners and serving excellent game in season.

Savoleyres also opened yesterday and snow conditions are good. Currently just the gondolas and the six man Le Nord lift are currently open. It is not yet possible to ski down to La Tzoumaz or down the front via the Route Carrefour back to the main mountain.

For complete beginners the magic carpet at Les Essets is now open. Looking for the next step after this? Savoleyres is a good option. Even with the currently limited pistes this area provides a quieter and easier environment than the main mountain. Chez Simon – the cosy bar restaurant under Le Nord lift is also open and serving its famous apple tart.

24 HEURES FREERIDE DOMINIQUE PERRET Due to the lack of snow, the 24h Freeride is postponed to January 27 and 28, 2007.

Cloudy Conditions Some Snow on it's Way

Some light snow fall forecast for later on Sunday. A light dusting of snow in the village at about 11.30 p.m. Saturday Night. It was nice and sunny yesterday as you can see from our end of formation staff photo! What a team! Notice the very high clouds forming over the distant mountains. Those are a sure sign of a change of weather in this region, cause by warm wet air passing over colder slower moving air below. There will be a full length snow report later on Sunday.

The ES party

The biggest irony of training at the start of the season is that the week is punctuated by social events that have ""an inhibitive impact" on the training itself.

Still, despite the risk to our own personal performances, we still managed to sneak down to the T-Bar to say hi to everyone, and meet up with Verbier's staff, both old and new (and, after consulting Dr Chris, indulge in a few medicinal shandies).

So thanks to everyone who joined us, and especially to Louis, who turns out to be something of a musical talent, as well as looking a bit like a roadie out of Spinal Tap...


...Louis belts out a few tunes.




...proof that boarders always wear hats.




...the Swedes getting patriotic.




...Sandy amazingly failed to fall over.




...and Toby was - once again - the model of professionalism, if not sobriety...

Delicate Final Touches

The Delicate final touches to the piste map at medran after the construction of a New Chair Lift to replace the old Atalas 2 gondolar.

Evidence at last

Jules, we don't want to question your fashion sense, but somehow Bella made that hat work:



And we've also just found a pair of shoes that we thought belonged to Gus, but, after checking the size, we realised they were far too big.

Sunny weekdays

After a busy holiday weekend the slopes are now much quieter and there is plenty of room for everyone despite the limited open runs. All the ski schools are out on the snow doing their training in anticipation of the Christmas rush.

The start of the week was definitely a bit chilly which has kept the snow dry and powdery. The snow cannons have been working at full tilt to get down a good base and the slope down to Ruinettes is now open and well groomed.

Tuesday morning saw a small amount of new snow although the weather since then has cleared up, visibility has improved and we have seen bright and sunny afternoons. Thoughts are varied on when the next big fall will be but the consensus seems to be after this weekend

Yesterday saw the opening of the La Chaux area. Conditions here were mixed with generally good coverage but care needing to be taken over bare patches below some of the blind ridges. Looking up towards Mont Fort tracks could be seen coming down the main face – perhaps the pisteurs been getting in a sneaky run?? Either that or some very dedicated tourers as nothing is operational near this level yet.

At Lac des Vaux some strange sights - is this the return of "The Balloon Dance"?????????

Getting a bit peckish or just need a quick chocolate break?

On-mountain restaurants open are the café at the top of the Funispace and at Ruinettes the main café and the outside Kiosk – definitely worth a stop for the deckchairs and awesome view. The Chalet Carlsberg halfway up Attelas also appears to be in action for snacks and drinks.

Down at Medran the Offshore Coffee Bar is serving their famous chicken sandwiches amongst other tasty things - although today’s soup offering must take some beating!! (see picture).

The forecast is for sunny days to the weekend temperatures on mountain around 6°C. Over the weekend clouds will be more evident and the temperature will be dropping. The next new snowfall is promised for Tuesday 19th ......... hang on in there!!!!

Drinks and nibbles last night at the Pub Mont Fort?

Well, the notice board at Medran said it all...

Surviving training...

Since the last (fantastic) dump of snow the whole school has been getting put through our collective paces in training.

Now we're all massively excited to be back on the snow, but at the start of the week we were all, naturally, rather concerned at being thrown back into instructor training. Especially with the zebedeee-like Michel introducing lots of obscure Swiss techniques that look rather clever and stylish when performed correctly, but largely results in us tripping ourselves up and looking slightly uncomfortable.

But, if nothing else, it gives us the chance to bond through mutual humiliation...

Suffice to say, there has been a bar full of very smiley if exhausted instructors at the end of each day.

And the intensive training was taken in a new direction with the arrival of the equally zebedee-like Sean Langmuir. Sean is a highly respected BASI trainer who the boss brought in to help the development of our instructors planning on taking further exams this season.

Sean, and his unique hybrid Canadian/Highland accent, was a brilliant addition to the training team, and his input was a resounding success wit everyone, although Claire G advised us - in her customary Northern tones - "Stay clear of Sean - he's a right sadist". She does, however, share similar views on Michel, and most people that she secretly likes.

I know that in the last bog I might have gloated about Sandy taking a tumble, so it's only fair that I admit I might have also "lost my footing" today. In my defence the ski just popped off. No warning. I did nothing wrong. Well, nothing I can remember, but it was all a bit of a blur.

On the plus side, Sandy also fell over again. Which leaves me leading 2 - 1 in the not-falling-over stakes.

We’re all off to the Pub Mont Fort for "nibbles and a drink" - I'll let you know what colour Kato's looking tomorrow.

(Sadly, there aren't any new pics for you at the moment, although I have been made aware of Jules getting snapped in Bella's rather fetching pink beanie at lunchtime in l'Olympique, as soon as it's been located, it'll be here...)

Crikey...

Well, it’s finally happened – Verbier has turned back into a ski resort and everyone’s been walking around with massive grins on their faces.

Apart from Kato, who’s been skulking around looking miserable all day. Although that might be largely a result of going to the opening of the Casbar last night…

Anyway, it’s hard to believe that last Sunday we were walking around the golf course wearing t-shirts and sunglasses, and it was impossible to imagine it ever turning into a piste.




But this morning everything had been buried underneath tons of perfect snow. So Sandy and I took a trip up in the bubble to see what it was all about.

Now, a lot of people might be worried that when they get back on snow it takes ages to get the feeling back – it all feels a bit weird and tricky. The consolation is that it’s pretty much the same for everyone, and I certainly didn’t feel particularly clever…

So imagine my delight when the normally faultless young Sandy sailed over a ridge and ended up using his face to help slow him down. And I personally couldn’t have been happier when on the very next run he did exactly the same thing, in exactly the same spot.

I’ve attached the photo to help you share my joy.



Still, training starts with Jules and Michel tomorrow, and Sandy might have got it out of his system. But I live in hope...