Weathermen. Bless them.

I know being a weatherman (or woman) is probably a desperately difficult job, one requiring a towering intellect and terrifying understanding of the Earth's complicated and chaotic weather cycles.

However, the one's responsible for telling us what's going on seem to be a little behind the pace, because for the last week we've been looking at reports that have told us that we're about to receive rain and cloud, and we've promptly enjoyed days of blistering sunshine and blue skies, with a few cotton wool clouds thrown in for aesthetic effect...

There are probably complex things happening in the stratosphere that make forecasting Verbier's weather dead tricky, but the net result is that there are a lot of people walking round looking a bit like matchsticks - crimson faces supported by slightly pasty rest-of-thems.

(Sadly there are no photos today as I neglected to take my camera, so you'll have to use your imaginations - just picture a photo with lots of blue in it, a load of dramatic mountains in the bottom bit, and lots of people swanning about with pink faces. Good isn't it?).

Sun, Sun Sun

Sun, sun, sun in Verbier on Easter weekend. A few clouds were seen in the sky this afternoon but that didn't really cool things down too much. There was also some wildlife seen on La Chaux - anyone spot the rabbit? There were quite a few wearing T shirts to ski in and getting the red arms to match!!

Lots of people were enjoying the facilities on slope such as the Chateaux Carlsberg with resident DJ and deckchairs. The 1936 bar further down the mountain has also proved irresistable to those seeking a sofa in the snow.

The Alpimages photography guys were out in force making the most of the great weather with their Great Bernard - Sheena and a palm tree at Lac des Vaux and Chris and Yovo ready to take outstanding shots at La Chaux.

Les Esserts saw its final day today and well done to the team at Televerbier that kept it going so long. Beginners will now need to head up to Ruinettes or La Chaux to find suitable terrain. The Bruson ski area is also now closed for the season. However, all the itinerary routes are currently open including Col des Mines and Vallon D'Arbi. Fontaneys in the afternoon is great for getting to grips with those slush moguls!!

Skiing to the other resorts of the 4 valleys is still blocked due to the breakdown of the Siviez to Tortin chairlift. The run down to Medran is also critically thin - best advice is to take the lift down from Ruinettes at the end of the day.

Weather for the next couple of days will continue to be sunny with on mountain afternoon temperatures of up to 12 C - get that sunscreen on to avoid the lobster look. Later in the week more cloud cover is forecast - lets hope this brings some late season snow with it.

Anyone recognise this man????????

Rumours were rife today that our illustrious leader had been spotted on the Les Esserts beginners slope - Could this be true??????????

Well photographic evidence doesn't lie and in the first appearance in living memory the great man was indeed spotted hiding amongst numerous other E.S. jackets and even riding the magic carpet.

Hot hot hot Easter Bunnies

Blue skies and high temperatures again in Verbier made for a great start to the Easter weekend. People have been sunning themselves on deckchairs and enjoying the spring snow. The Cabane Mont Fort (pictured) has been heaving at lunchtime - advice is to get there early for the great Tartiflette and other good offerings.

Conditions at Mont Fort and the Tortin and Col des Gentianes itinerary runs are good. Sadly skiing to the rest of the 4 valleys is currently blocked due to the breakdown of the Siviez to Tortin chairlift - rumours are that thios should be fixed by Sunday but check out at Medran before begining your journey!

The Les Esserts beginners slope will be closed from Monday 9th April due to lack of snow. However Bruson and Savoleyres remain open for the moment. Those valuing their skis may decide that taking the lift down from Ruinettes is wise late afternoon. There has been a river running down the the last few turns down to Medran and we expect the route to be formally closed soon.

The Verbier Rugby 7s match was well attended on Wednesday afternoon and resulted in a final match between Altitude and European Snowsport. ES won the tournament and a great time was had by all.

Weather for the next couple of days will continue to be sunny with on mountain afternoon temperatures of over 10 C and low wind speeds. Fingers crossed for cooler temperatures when clouds arrive after the weekend.

Champions

Ski resorts are funny places - you tend to get a slightly odd combination of people who aren't, well, normal.

For example, the kind of people who might think that holding a seven-a-side rugby tournament on snow is a good idea. Which is what happened yesterday just below the 1936 bar on the piste...

The event saw ES merge with the staff from Tara's to create a rather impressive line-up that wasn't made any worse by the presence of Louis in a slightly questionable head band.

Suffice to say, the boys went on to win their semi-final in extra time against a rather strong (and decidedly Antipodean) side from the Pub Mont Fort, then squeak victory - again in extra time - in the final against the boys from Altitude.

So it seemed only appropriate that it turned into an excuse for another ski school social gathering - starting at the Pub Mont Fort then naturally progressing to Tara's and after that we can't really remember. Can we Jules?

Anyway, it was an amazing and surreal afternoon, that looked rather like this (and I must admit Karen is responsible for the rather dynamic collection of action shots)...

Snow, Clouds, Sun and a Rugby tournament

New snow started falling last night and gave a completely different look to the resort of Verbier this morning. Low visibility in the early part of today has turned to blue skies and sunshine again this afternoon.

Fresh powder snow could be found for the lucky few up early. The pistes remain in good condition despite the warm weather of the last few days.

Disappointing news is that the Luge run at Savoleyres has been shut for the season - so time to pack away those sledges. The Col des Mines and Vallon D'Arbi itinerary runs are also closed at the moment due to avalanche risk. The Le Sud run down the front of Savoleyres is open only to the half way mark due to lack of snow and the Route Carrefour is also closed.

The Verbier alternative to the six nations is being held at the area between Carrefour and the 1936 bar at 4.30 today. A Rugby sevens match between five teams from around the resort including European Snowsport and Taratata nightclub should provide good entertainment!!

Well over one hundred people are expected to gather in Verbier on Thursday 5 April for the famous Verbier Challenge Cup event, organised by the Ski Club of Great Britain for visitors, reps, ski guides, locals and resort workers.Head up to Savoleyres for the start at 10.45am

Weather for the next couple of days is forecast as sunny with on mountain temperatures of around 5 C and low wind speeds. Clouds willl return for the weekend - we hope they bring some more snow!!
.

Alex and Ollie - so who has the best client?????

test