Snow Reports and News From ES

Sophie Daniala and Bryony

2009-01-15T16:21:00.001-01:00

Sophie Daniala and Bryony
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport

ES Adaptive

2008-12-18T15:34:00.001-01:00

IMG_1807
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport

ES Instructors get to grips with new adaptive equipment.

Alex in Action

2008-11-20T14:19:00.001-01:00

DSC_4246
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport

P1010104

2008-09-25T09:13:00.001-01:00

P1010104
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport

Right then. Brace yourselves.

2008-09-19T12:39:00.002-01:00

I know it's September, and I know if you're reading this in the UK it's probably miserable. And raining.

But, as far as I'm concerned, it's nearly winter, and that means we dust down the ES blog, fill in the blanks, and bang on about the amazing weather and the fact that it's snowed up top, and I'm going up to have a look tomorrow (if it hasn't all melted).

So. News. Well, it's been quite a busy summer, with billions of people floating about resort. But, in a nut shell:

Kato didn't make the Ryder Cup Team. Again. Faldo's loss.
Maryse went to the Himalayas. As you do.
Gusy joined the Marines. Again. Make your own gags - sailors, men in uniform, etc.
Oli had knee problems. Again. Same knee. Same as last year. Lightning striking twice, etc.
Kato got a job. No, honestly.
Jo and Gareth bought a brilliant flat at the bottom of the slopes, backing onto the woods, and everyone now hates them.
Emma Lodge had about 15 different fringes.
Jonas is still Sweden's most eligible bachelor.
Toby bought and wore a suit. You know, like grown-ups do.
I might be buying a cupboard.
Almost everyone fell of their bike and got to use crutches at some point.
Kato learned to surf. For free.
Jules nipped out for coffee.
Caroline got lost in Geneva.
Louis dropped off the radar.
Ms Ackner disappeared to be a student.
Neil Kernow cleaned the van. Religiously.
Laika discovered squirrels.
Marmot poo was agreed to be the most pungent smell in the world.
Jimmy The Entrepreneur planned world domination. With Alice. It involved helicopters.
Switzerland wasn't destroyed by black holes from Cern. Which was a relief.
And Emma's missing ski was discovered. She still owes me a pint.

Meanwhile, it's Emma Lodge's birthday tonight, and we're all turning Japanese - make your own gags.

Anyway, more soon. ish.

ES Falcons

2008-06-19T15:24:00.001-01:00

P1010097
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport

Falcons Coaches Having a short Break at 1936

2008-06-19T15:17:00.001-01:00

P1010119
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport

More cow fighting. Amazing.

2008-04-21T09:56:00.002-01:00

Courtesy of Oli A Dannat: the high drama of watching two slightly narked cows argue over a few square feet of grazing. Enjoy:

Cow fighting

2008-04-19T15:07:00.003-01:00

Take a load of excited bovines who've spent the whole winter in a shed and then let them loose, and they get a bit feisty.

Add a bunch of Swiss farmers who've spent the morning drinking wine in the sunshine and arguing about who's got the biggest cow, and, to be honest, you're in for an amusing afternoon.

This year the Combat des Reines was back in Chable, and it looked a little something like this:

And Maryse is a legend...

2008-04-17T14:19:00.006-01:00

Not only is it Maryse's birthday today, she decided to celebrate by doing the Patrouille des Glaciers starting four am today...

The PDG is a big deal - like a marathon across the mountains on skis - and there are two versions: one from Arrolla, and one from Zermatt (which is the longer of the two and reserved for the clinically insane).

And the Swiss military get heavily involved, too, which is why my afternoon (hangover recovery) nap has just been interrupted by six fighter jets trying to get as close to our balcony as was humanly possible. Er, thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be1iVVhLFaA

Rocky Horrific

2008-04-17T07:22:00.003-01:00

What were we thinking? I'm still wearing nail polish - I didn't really think at the time, but how do you get this stuff off?

Yellow Maike's last night in T-Bar

2008-04-16T08:25:00.002-01:00

Well, nearly - he's back tonight for the Rocky Horror show end of season party, and some more of this...

2008-04-13T07:34:00.005-01:00

The ES staff night out. Messy. Very messy. And it looked a bit like this (no in depth analysis or explanations - I don't think I'm feeling capable):

I'm not being critical (but)

2008-04-11T11:20:00.003-01:00

I know weather forecasting is tricky, but this is, apparently, the weather that's coming (and already been), and it still doesn't bare a lot of resemblance to either what was promised and what we've got...

Changeable weather

2008-04-11T05:22:00.002-01:00

I'm not making excuses, and I don't want your sympathy, but there are reasons that sometimes our weather predictions are a little off. The information we're given isn't always accurate, to be honest.

Take today for example; all week the powers that be have changed their minds constantly, and snowfall predictions have been bandied around left right and centre. I mean, what are we supposed to beleive:

And the thing is, there isn't any snow falling at all this morning...

Welcome to winter.

2008-04-09T04:56:00.002-01:00

Ok, it's not that cold, but we are getting snow on and off, and with alarming regularity. Yesterday it closed in, snowing heavily in town.

And, although the snow wasn't settling in resort, it's all over the trees a little higher this morning.

It seems like every other night the view from Chateaux du Sandy et Guy has been coloured in white all the way to Médières, and sometimes to the valley floor. Not complaining though, although Sandy's legs will need fake tan if we don't get some proper spring weather...

On a different note, S Dog went to the Pub's beach party last night, so we should get some disturbing pics from that (I choked and went home to hide).

And a certain website is forecasting snow, so instead of telling you now, I'm monitoring the fluctuations in their predictions, and on Friday we'll compare what's been suggested all week with the reality.

That's not because you'll be interested, it's because I'm a bit of an anorak.

More snow. Again.

2008-04-07T07:02:00.005-01:00

That's right, just when we're dusting down our flip flops and bracing ourselves for Sandy unveiling his milk-bottle-like legs, it snows again.

I know there's been snow in the UK, and that we haven't got the monopoly on late wintery weather, but it's been crazy - we should all be sunbathing by now.

Naturally the weather boffins/buffoons are saying more's on the way, but these are the same people who said today would be a bit cloudy. Beautiful blue skies and sunshine this morning, so not a great record on prediction...

Still, it's another great view from Chateaux du Sandy et Guy this morning...

Victory

2008-04-06T16:08:00.003-01:00

Yesterday saw the return of the Carlsberg High 5, so lots of people in free white helmets and green race bibs were hammering about about resort 'training' (many of whom might not quite have been of the standard that their swagger suggested).

That said, there were some great riders and skiers on display, including world cup legends in the pro catagory.

Now, we always have a few instructors who enter, and largely give a good account of themselves. However, this year, the Ackner family took it upon themselves to take it to the next level. OK, just Em, really.

And impressively young Emily came first in the women's snowboarding - an overwhelmed bystander, Mr Oli Pinnochio Dannat, said "She was amazing - way better than all the other girl riders and most of the blokes". High praise indeed, for someone who's world view largely consists of him at the top, and everyone else's achievements some distance beneath him...

And this is what Champion Ackner Jnr looked like:

Yellow Mike returns

2008-04-03T16:02:00.007-01:00

Yes, Kato's stunt double is back in town and played a very appreciative T-Bar last night, where it was ABSOLUTELY RAMMED.

Naturally, it was an amazing night, and it looked a little something like this:

Just because it's April 1st doesn't mean I'm lying.

2008-04-01T04:42:00.002-01:00

April Fools Day it may be, but that doesn't change the fact that it's snowed - as predicted by the weather boffins.

I can't make my mind up whether or not they just got the forecast right as some kind of hilarious prank, and by tomorrow they'll be getting it miles off again, but I can be certain that it snowed all yesterday, although, due to the mild temperatures, it didn't settle on anything other than the snow already on the ground.

It's not loads, but it's snow and it all counts...

It's also started settling on the trees over night at exactly resort height, making the view from the windows of 'Palais de Guy et Sandy' look rather pretty. Which is nice.

The other big news in resort is that the droopy muzzer is back. Calm yourselves.

The fund-raising in pictures...

2008-03-30T16:20:00.004-01:00

Due to technical difficulties (read 'laziness and ineptitude') we've not been able to get the pictures from the ES Adaptive fund-raising up here, but now you can enjoy them in all their glory.

Thanks to Rob H-S for the pics...

Oh. and by the way - snow-forecast are predicting snow for tomorrow, so, on the evidence of past predictions (and not being too cynical) I for one will be putting on suncream...

Snow, sun, warm, cold: a bit of everything

2008-03-27T15:55:00.003-01:00

Easter has turned out to be a bit of a changeable affair - one minute you're freezing in a white-out and regretting getting out of bed that day, the next you're baking, turning crimson and wishing you'd put on suncream.

And so it continues - the snow is brilliant, especially up high, and we had yet another fall last night so the snow that was melted on the trees has been replaced, making everything look laaaaarvely.

And when the clouds clear it's decidedly above average.

Apart from that, we're all still feeling pretty chuffed that the school raised 26,000 CHF for disabled skiing last week, and we've also all been sitting around in the t-bar debating whether or not snow-forecast.com are over-predicting snowfalls on purpose just to mess with our heads, or if they just get it wrong a lot.

It's winter again.

2008-03-22T06:00:00.002-01:00

Yup, after a worrying trend towards flip-flops, sunshine and Sandy in shorts, the weather in Verbier has swung back towards winter, and it snowed solidly for over 24 hours, resulting in quite a lt of snow on the hill.

But even better than the snow, is the amount of money raised for disabled skiing equipment after our fund-raising week - people contributed a staggering 26,000 CHF. So thanks to everyone who got involved, helped out and donated, it was an unbeleivable success and we'll get some pictures of the various evenings up here asap.

Meanwhile, here's what loads of snow looks like...

For Clare: stuff that isn't just about the weather.

2008-03-20T12:38:00.006-01:00

OK, maybe last season the blog was more about the shenanigans that the general populous of the resort were up to, and a brief word on how the weather was going.

Well, I like to think that - in a John Ketttly stylie - we've kept you well abreast of snow and stuff this season, but perhaps neglected the news about Kato's dance moves, and Gussy's team-building with some of the ladies in resort.

So, heres some less-weather-driven stuff:

The big news in resort is that so far the charity week to raise money for equipment disabled skiers is going brilliantly.

We had a fairly enormous night on Tuesday in Coco (who kindly donated all proceeds on the door to the cause), and we gave away loads of kit and prizes in the raffle.

Last night The Lodge broomball team robbed the mighty ES squad of a place in the final on penalties, and then went on to win. All the teams paid to play, and the money went into the big pot for Disability Snowsport UK.

And tonight it's the big auction at T-Bar (music from 5pm, auction at 6pm), with loads of brilliant lots up for grabs, plus we're auctioning off slaves.

So could even pay to spend time with Gussy. If you like that kind of thing.

We'll pop up some pics tomorrow, and for the weather junkies out there, check out this...

It rather looks like we're about to get dumped on.

It's snowing

2008-03-16T16:34:00.003-01:00

Yup, we had snow last night (and some rain then snow in resort) and now we're getting pretty impressive flurries of snow in town, plus its been snowing on and off all day up the hill. Nice.

And they're promising more is on the way. That said, they do say things like that an awful lot and then change their minds.

Still, sitting outside The Pub and drinking Guinness in the snow isn't a bad thing.

Sunshine. Nice.

2008-03-14T16:51:00.003-01:00

A great day up there today - sunny, blue skies, great snow (ok, it got a wee bit slushy in places once the sun got on it) and on the whole a rather pleasant way to pass the day.

And, according to the boffins, it should snow at the weekend...

So, once again, cross everything, and think snowy thoughts.

(PS get well soon Jase)

Mmmmmm, sunshine

2008-03-13T05:43:00.002-01:00

Yup, the clouds gone, the rain's a distant memory, and the sun's going to be out all day.

Could be worse...

There's no such thing as bad weather - just the wrong clothes...

2008-03-12T11:20:00.003-01:00

Billy Connolly is a wise man indeed, and would fit in here quite well today.

You see, the snow line yesterday was below resort, but it's drifted higher over night, so this morning it was only snowing at the top of the tree-line.

But when you think about it, most of the skiing in Verbier is above the tree-line. So not a brilliant view in resort through the spitting rain, but no real drama.

But get to Ruinettes and it's snowing pretty hard - La Chaux was getting a real pasting when we got up there.

And the level's dropping - I've just skied down and whilst there's drizzle in resort, it's snowing just above Chez Dany.

But the big news is that it's the ES Adaptive fund raising week next week, raising money to buy disabled ski equipment for charity. So more soon...

Snow (good). Rain (rubbish). More snow (great).

2008-03-11T21:23:00.003-01:00

Yes, we've had a precipitation cornucopia today.

The overnight snow (about 6 inches in places on the piste) gave way to rain in the afternoon (and we don't mind rain, as long as it stops just above resort), then the nice people at snow-forecast.com told us - in fact, as good as promised - that we'd get snow at the weekend.

Well, maybe not in resort, but at mid-station.

So, don't hold your breath. But do cross your fingers.

I'm not promising anything

2008-03-09T17:57:00.002-01:00

OK, I've questioned the snow forcasting community a few times, and perhaps been guilty of the odd libel regarding the accuracy of their predictions, but they are very confidently predicting snow right now, and I'm inclined to hope they're right this time...

What's a thermal inversion, then?

2008-03-08T23:02:00.003-01:00

Er, it's one of these:

It's that thing when the cloud sits over the whole place then you get to the top of the lift and you can see all the other high up bits above the clouds. And we had one today. For a full explanation you need to ask a grown up (like Roy), but it looks nice though, doesn't it?

Mild.

2008-03-07T18:47:00.002-01:00

Rubbish if it's cheese. Rubbish if it's in a ski resort.

But the good news is that snow-forecast say there is loads of snow on the way, although it could be yet another over-exaggeration of almost Oli D-esque proportions...

http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Verbier/6day/bot

Snow + sunshine = genius

2008-03-06T13:18:00.004-01:00

A simple formula but it works. You can even improve on it:

cold x (snow + sunshine) - wind = genius.

Which is what we got today.

And if you ever wondered if all those noisy, messy snow cannons worked, have a look at this (underneath the ice and snow it's the old disused chair lift from the Medran car park, and it got in the way of a snow cannon on overnight):

Snow. Honestly.

2008-03-05T16:38:00.004-01:00

Well, Oli 'Pinocchio' D might not be wading to the boozer through his predicted two feet of snow, but we've had a few inches of snow over the last couple of days, and it's been cold.

And not just cold, but VERY COLD.

And windy, too.

So the fast-melting pistes have solidified (read 'turned a bit icey') and you can ski to resort on something other than soupy snow. Which is nice.

And the dirty rumour is that more could be on it's way (more cold, more snow and more wind).

But if you want me to put a figure on it, you'll be waiting a very long time. However, buy Oli a beer and he'll tell you whatever you want to hear.

DO NOT TRUST HIM...

Crikey. Snow.

2008-03-04T06:19:00.002-01:00

Yup - it's not the "definite two feet" that certain members of resort staff swore blind would be here. But it's a start.

And the most important thing is that it's going to be loads colder. If you believe snow-forecast.com - and you'd be very sensible in deed if you were a little skeptical - we're in for temperatures down to minus 12 degrees C this afternoon (about minus 19 with the wind chill).

And you don't need to be Ian McCaskill to realise that those kind of temperatures stop the snow from melting away to nothing.

A bit colder, but no snow yet

2008-03-03T17:33:00.003-01:00

The temperature was a bit lower today, and the clouds were gathering in a menacing way, but the rumours of snow remain rumours.

Still, the forecast promises that it's going to get very cold, very windy (tomorrow night) and pretty snowy tomorrow.

Honestly...

How windy?

2008-03-02T06:16:00.004-01:00

Yesterday was a bit of a mix really.

We started off on the Mayentzet chair and it was raining. Rubbish.

But by the time we reached the top we were in the snow. No wind either. Improving.

So we headed up La Combe and whilst you could see the snow ok below us, it looked a bit foggy up top, then the wind started to pick up. Worrying.

So by the time we got up the Atalas (James Blunt) chair, it was blowing an absolute gale and visability was down to about 20 feet. If you were lucky. But it really was very, very, VERY windy.

And then? Naturally the sun came out. Bizarre.

A funny day really, and although there's more wind forecast over the coming week, the Oli D prediction of snow is still looking likely.

Meanwhile, the sun's out again this morning. Which is nice.

Oli could be in line for some free booze.

2008-02-29T18:15:00.004-01:00

Yup, the unfounded amateur prediction of snow that emanated from Oli D after a few shandies the other night appear to be more than just wishfull thinking...

Here's a bit of evidence:

So cross your fingers - and anything else that you can cross - and think cold thouhghts...

Cloud, slush, and just a little bit of hope.

2008-02-28T18:04:00.002-01:00

That's right, the sun-then-cloud-and-snow cycle which has been with us all winter (and we're not complaining) has been broken. Cloud finally moved in, and although it's still slushy, there appears to be snow on the horizon.

Well, metaphorically.

The evidence is in the filthy weather that's hanging about in the Atlantic and about to make life in the UK very soggy.

The evidence has also come from an additional source thought to be slightly less reliable - Oli D. John Kettley he isn't, but he swears blind that two feet of fresh snow is going to descend next week.

I'm skeptical, but if it's right he gets a pint...

John Kettley, all is forgiven. Well, a bit.

2008-02-26T17:00:00.001-01:00

Yes, after toying with us for days, clouds have appeared. Crazy.

They're even promising snow - but don't hold you breath...

Er, we're waiting...

2008-02-26T06:08:00.006-01:00

Every time we get a weather report, it basically says that there's going to be cloud moving in tomorrow, and maybe some snow the day after. But as soon as tomorrow comes, it's blue skies. Again.

Now, as you may be aware, I've said before that weathermen and women have a very tricky job, and it's ok that they sometimes make mistakes - just like the rest of us.

But, for the third day in a row, I'm pretty sure that this isn't cloud-turning-to-snow-tomorrow...

Sunshine. Again. But it might all be about to change...

2008-02-24T21:25:00.004-01:00

That's right - it may have been pretty sunny today, but there's growing evidence (ie the MET office say so) that the weather is set to change.

Now, to be totally honest, it's already changed a bit - the sun's been consistent, but the air temperature has risen in the last few days.

The MET office didn't tell us that one - we worked it out because you could sit outside the Fer a Cheval and finish your beer after the sun had gone down tonight and for the last few days, whereas it was way to cold at the start of last week (the beer got finished indoors).

The warmer air in combination with the sun is also why George (below) was wading through slush at the end of the day to get out of Fontaneyes.

But the weather is about to change again, and it's bringing snow.

Which is nice.

Mark Going for it in the ES GS

2008-02-24T08:55:00.001-01:00

DSC_9545
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport

Mark McKellar, proves the fastest ES instructor staff training in Verbier last week.

ES & Ski Total Working together

2008-02-24T08:48:00.001-01:00

DSC_9453
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport

Sunshine. Again.

2008-02-21T09:31:00.004-01:00

Hopefully I'll blog again later and stick some stuff up about the ES Cabin Tortin trip, but sadly some of us couldn't make the last lift up, so had to make do with the Pub Mont Fort. Which still does the trick.

Meanwhile, it's sunny as ever.

There were rumours of snow arriving last night (and reports from the cabin suggested there was a dusting up high) but this morning the familiar sunshine was back, and it's feeling a bit like spring.

Splendid.

Although, thankfully, a little too nippy out of the sun for Sandy to start revealing the anemic legs just yet.

But brace yourselves, it won't be long.

Ah, sunshine

2008-02-17T16:22:00.000-01:00

Yup - the enormous ridge of high pressure that's been sitting on us like a big, fat, high-pressure hot thing is still here.

There's a filthy rumour that it might pretend to snow on Wednesday, but I'm remaining cynical.

And I'm sure that there are loads of absolutely scintillating peices of gossip floating around resort, but sadly I've been getting as much sleep as possible in the sleep-bank, which has seriously inhibited my rumour-mungering.

Still, I promise to spend more time hanging about the Fer à Cheval eavesdropping and less time repairing my fragile constitution with gallons of sleep.

In the meantime, here's a picture of Max and Jack at the top of Plan du Fou. Bless.

It's been quiet - too quiet - on the blog

2008-02-16T15:13:00.006-01:00

Yes, it's been half term carnage in Verbier - and everywhere else actually. Which means the blog's been a bit light on news.

Although, it's not been that busy, really. Televerbier are excitedly bandying around figures in the hundreds of thousands relating to how many people went through the area over last weekend, but the queues haven't been too bad.

OK, we've had a few hotspots first thing in the morning, and the run into resort is still the lottery it's always been, but a pretty chilled week in spite of the huge numbers floating about.

I'm starting to wonder where they actually go - perhaps there's a wormhole somewhere on Greppon Blanc that billions of people disappear into each day.

Whatever the reason, queuing has been minimal. Which is nice.

And speaking of nice, the weather's been phenomenal. Deceptively cold air temperature, but then boiling in the sun. Laaarvely. Have a picture. In fact, have two:

And next week looks set to be calmer still - although, due to the staggered holidays across Europe, there should be quite a few people about over the next fortnight.

So right now we're getting the wagons in a circle and bracing ourselves for the Parrisians... Still, on the evidence so far, we've got nothing to worry about. Apart, perhaps, from some poor queuing etiquette.

Congratulations all round really

2008-02-09T19:17:00.001-01:00

Well, it's been a busy week - we've had the gap-year trainee instructors all finishing their exams, whilst loads of existing instructors have been bettering themselves doing the "ISIA Technical Exam" (particular congratulations got to Dr Chris and Tom - but that might just be because Tom's sitting next to me whilst I'm typing...).

On top of all that ES Falcon Karsten made it to the top of Mont Fort (and breezed the trip back down) aged eight.

So we've had a million things to celebrate, so T-bar was rammed last night with revelers and hangers-on, jumping up and down and generally being daft.

And - as if that wasn't enough - it's been amazing sunshine all day, with plenty of people floating about the Furry Shovel [sic] saying it's been one of the best days of the season.

And there's more sun to come. Wallop.

Karsten at altitude:

There's no real excuse - it's just a bit a laugh:

2008-02-07T17:10:00.000-01:00

Mardis Gras 2008. A good year, I think you'll agree...

Still alive, well, kind of.

2008-02-06T16:25:00.000-01:00

As suspected, last night's Mardis Gras festivities were utter, brilliant carnage.

There are loads of photos that I'm going to be getting my mits on soon, but for now you'll have to get an idea of how daft it was just from the picture below of Sandy (the lanky-grade-one-tech-passing-falling-over-machine) dressed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

More evidence to follow.

PS it snowed last night (but it turned into a little pesky rain in town by the time everybody surfaced with their post-festivities hangovers this morning), and blue skies forecast for the rest of the week.

Laaarverly.

In the sunshine

2008-02-03T11:43:00.000-01:00

Sunshine is great - especially when said in Sandy's best comedy Manchester accent. Or maybe by Noel Gallagher.

Suffice to say, we've got loads of it again today, so everyone's raced up the hill to enjoy it - if they're not busy teaching, or hammering down Savoleyres doing race training with Alex. Or if they're not me - sitting in my flat going through the es website and writing a list of amends and adjustments.

It's glamorous stuff...

Rumour is that more snow is coming middle of the week - the remnants of the filthy weather everyone seems to have had back in Blighty. It's also set to get a bit cheeky on the wind front over the next few days - you can see the wind starting to whip up the fresh snow up high in the picture below...

Plus it's Mardi Gras on Tuesday. Which will be pure carnage, so - if I'm in any kind of fit state to type - we'll be sticking up the evidence in pictures on Wednesday over an Alka-Seltzer.

We're so very, very, er, proud?

2008-02-02T06:52:00.000-01:00

As Ski Instructors we spend an awful lot of time training for exams, and then taking them.

And when we're not doing either of those, we're worrying about them...

So it's brilliant news that Sandy - my flat mate and Top Northern ES Instructor - got back from Val D'Isere yesterday having passed his Grade One Technical exam, which is the very highest technical exam there is in the British system, and on a par with any exam that any country in the world has.

Impressive stuff.

So perhaps we can excuse the fact that he was feeding shots to complete strangers in The Pub last night (as well as Olly, above, who's not a complete stranger, and also passed the One Tech - nice one mate).

Well he hasn't got any lessons today, so maybe leaving Coco at 4 am isn't so bad. Especially as he was aided and abetted by the boss...

PS it's snowing and there are rumours of a big, filthy, dirty storm next week. Bring it on...

More snow...

2008-01-31T18:43:00.001-01:00

Last night we had a dusting of snow, and we all woke up in a very cloudy and very white Verbier.

The weather forecast said scortchio, but that was clearly rubbish. Which is why I took out loads of warm clothes, no sun cream and the low-visability lenses in my goggles.

Fool.

By 10.30 we were sweltering in La Chaux, all the cloud had gone and we were treated to stunning views across to Mont Blanc.

I was sweating like a pig in a sausage factory.

The moral of this story? Have a little bit more faith in snow-forecast.com. And with this in mind, they say it's going to snow tonight.

So tomorrow I'm leaving the suncream at home, putting on loads of warm clothes, and crossing my fingers...

Something starting to happen in the stratosphere this evening...

A day out of Verbier

2008-01-29T17:13:00.001-01:00

Bruson is great - ok, maybe a bit icy, and there are the T-bars, but still great. And it's covered by your Verbier lift pass, so we popped over today for a look.

The lift takes you to Le Chable, get the bus over and head up on the old-and-knackered-but-cool two-man chair.

It's not too high, but it's SO quiet it's unbelievable.

However, if you go over - and you should - get the bus back to Chable. The ski down the tracks can be a little 'agricultural'...

Oh, and don't get up three hours late with a hangover and miss the bus.

And don't go with Iggy and Stef.

The lads at the top:

The snow disappears en route to Chable:

More sun: all good

2008-01-28T18:58:00.000-01:00

Ah, a few days off and couple of my stupidest friends in town - doesn't get much better than this.

The sun's been out constantly (well, not at night, but you know what I mean), and the snow's been a bit, well, spring-like. Which is odd for January, but we're more than happy with it.

And there's more sun to come, so we'll hopefully get you a couple more shots of my foolish mates on the hill in the sunshine.

Meanwhile, here's a photo of Stef and I on Mont Fort, as seen from way above by Ian on the cable car. It's not very high resolution, but then again it was taken by one of my stupidest friends...

Yet another sunny day

2008-01-26T15:46:00.001-01:00

Although the sun's been getting on the snow and the lower slopes can be a bit icy in the morning, it's been a brilliant day on the hill, and the Fontaneyes itinerary route had softened up really well by the end of the day.

Which makes you wonder why Pete was squealing like a big girl on the way down...

Stuff.

2008-01-24T17:26:00.001-01:00

Welcome to more Verbier stuff.

The first stuff is that we haven't been banging on about the standard sun/snow/sun cycle for a bit. Big news is that it's been sunny, then it snowed the other day, and now it's sunny again. Shocker.

Second bit of stuff is about training - we had more today and (despite the fact that I managed to completely confuse myself and occasionally lose the plot) it's been great. Again.

And on top of all that stuff, we also had the highest qualified video man in Switzerland, as Jules followed us about and filmed us all as we ground out our short turns.

Sadly I can't upload the video at the moment, but here's a shot of the boss on video duty...

Two for one...

2008-01-24T06:19:00.000-01:00

There's something you don't get everyday: training with ome of the top British coaches (Kerr Stewart) and a photo shoot with a legendary ski photographer (Marco Shapiro).

So that's why it was a bit of a treat yesterday, when our training was punctuated with a session hammering down the bumps on front of Marco's lens. Which is slightly daunting - when you bear in mind that the guy has shot just about anyone who's anyone in the skiing world, including legends like Glenn Plake...

Kerr didn't look too fussed, but it's safe to say a few of us might have been a little camera-shy and our technique might have buckled a bit under the pressure...

That said, we might just have been distracted by Kerr's orange jump suit. Cool, but he looks like a walking piste marker.

Jules put a couple of the shots up yesterday click on the image boxes in the blog bellow), but you can see more of the results on our gallery page.

So have a squiz.

Guy in the bumps

2008-01-23T19:34:00.001-01:00

DSC_4104
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport

Photo by Marco Shapiro, Taken during Staff Training.

Kerr Stewart

2008-01-23T19:31:00.001-01:00

DSC_4040
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport

Kerr Stewart in the Bumps

Verbier in cloud shocker...

2008-01-20T14:08:00.001-01:00

At 1600 hours today Verbier fell in to sheer panic as a cloud appeared over Bruson but it didn't start snowing. After the consistent pattern of blue skies / fresh snow, the population were simply not ready for this kind of crazy meteorological anomaly.

Other big news is that Kato is refusing to take responsibility for the missing camera. Man-up wee man, man-up...

(It's a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P200 with incriminating images of Kato on the memory stick, in case you stumble across it)

The broken record goes on...

2008-01-19T06:26:00.001-01:00

OK, it hasn't exactly been more of the same - we have slightly broken the fresh snow / amazing blue skies cycle. Calm yourselves.

You see last night we had - brace yourself - a little bit of drizzle in resort.

For about an hour.

Not enough to have an effect on the runs to resort, and probably indicative of a light dusting of snow up top.

But guess what?

Yup, blue skies are back and there are amazing conditions on piste.

I would put up some pics, but there are two reasons why I won't...

Reason one: you'll just think I'm gloating.

Reason two: I might have mislaid my camera in T-Bar whilst having a 'quiet night' with Kato...

I say might, because I can't really remember where we ended up, all that's stuck in my memory is the image of a slightly befuddled Kato wandering down Route de Verbier suggesting we went into every single bar we walked past.

I know, the more things change, the more they stay the same...

Déjà vu.

2008-01-15T17:02:00.000-01:00

I know.

You're a bit bored of it.

Every post says "blah blah blah lots of new snow blah blah blah" then "blah blah blue skies" followed by "cloud coming in blah blah new snow on it's way yadda yadda yadda".

But can I help it if it's true?

Because there's loads of new snow, blue skies and more on the way.

And to make you feel worse here's a video of Mr A MacLaren banging through the bumps on Fontaneys. Git.

And there's more...

2008-01-14T11:41:00.000-01:00

As I type clouds are gathering and the great news is that more snow is on it's way.

So after yesterday's perfect blue skies and knee deep powder (which was even deeper where it had been blown into gullies and couloirs), we can expect more of the same.

Suffice to say we'll get pictures up as soon as it arrives...

On top of that we've got the long anticipated ES staff meal at the Pub Mont Fort on Tuesday, followed by an evening in Coco's. Wednesday morning could be a tough one...

And if you're not accessing this through the ES website, you can click here to have a squiz at our brand-spanking-new site. Lucky you.

Answer: loads

2008-01-12T20:29:00.000-01:00

It's entirely possible that tomorrow will be the best day in the world. Ever.

There's a good foot of fresh in resort, and even more up top - add to that the sunny forecast for tomorrow, and it really could be above average...

This evening at Chez Danny - not short of snow...

Told you so...

2008-01-12T06:40:00.000-01:00

(No idea yet how much there is up the hill, but we'll keep you posted)

How much wind?

2008-01-11T18:11:00.001-01:00

It's been blowing an absolute gale on and off all day here - not that we're soft or anything, but it didn't half make it feel nippy...

The good news, though, is that this blustery weather is a forerunner to more snow. Apparently. The MET office says it's true, so don't hold your breath.

That said, a number of corroborating sources support the claim - in fact, they say there's about a foot due at mid-station tonight, and more next week...

Well, maybe holding your breath isn't such a bad idea...

Cloud starting to look a bit menacing this morning...

The wind whipping the snow everywhere this afternoon...

Dr Nic gets battered by the elements...

More snow in town. Finally.

2008-01-06T13:34:00.000-01:00

After AGES waiting for snow to arrive, it's back (although the blue skies of the last few weeks were pretty good...).

So, despite the fact that there was quite a lot of snow overnight followed by rain in resort, the conditions have been great all day.

It started with white out everywhere, which gradually gave way to blue skies and sunshine, and is just closing in again with a bit more of the white stuff forecast...

And here's what it looked like:

The snowline moved just above town early this morning...

The view on the Savoleyres lift - not ideal visability...

More snow coming this way...

Apres Ski: The evidence

2007-12-28T18:16:00.000-01:00

We've finally wrestled with technology and dug out the pictures from the Farinet Apres Ski opening night, and even got a picture of Kato's new headgear following his 'upside down dancing' exhibition, lucky you...

The boys try to fix the sliding roof...

The girls dish out free shots...

The White Lines Open proceedings...

The Dicktators dressed as a disturbing collection of Santas...

General carnage...

Kato's exciting new bandages...

The most wonderful time of the year...

2007-12-27T18:10:00.000-01:00

No, not Christmas - although that was great, the real cause for celebration was the opening of Farinet Apres Ski.

Yes, beer-swilling, table-dancing, and drinking-shots-from-the-bottle are all back with an army of happy Apres-Skiers ready to join in.

Now, Apres Ski being Apres Ski, there was carnage.

First the sliding roof wouldn't close before the bands came on, so lots of very serious looking blokes hung from the rafters with crowbars tring deperately to get it fixed.

Secondly, while the workman looked troubled, the girls behind the bar decided to calm the baying and by now slightly excitable crowd, by standing on the bar and pouring shots into the nearest passing mouths. Naturally, this only fuelled the caranage.

Then it all kicked off with The White Lines and The Dicktators whipping up the crowd further. Bizarre and stunning - there are things in life you never expect to see, and for me it was always a band of Santas wearing army helmets and belting out AC/DC tunes.

There are pictures to show how the night unfolded, but sadly they're in my camera, which slipped from my fingers around 9pm and disappeared underneath a hundred pairs of highly mobile ski boots.

It has since been recovered and we should be dragging the shots from it's tattered memory stick tomorrow, so don't panic. It's worth the wait...

Finally, of course, something happened to Kato - he apparently landed on his head after trying to dance upside down in Casbar later that night.

Bless.

Sadly it's unlikely there are any shots of this, mangled or otherwise...

It's back

2007-12-22T14:53:00.001-01:00

After ages of debate and rumor, Mt. Gelé finally opened up again, giving Verbier back its off-piste only mountain.

With just two Itinerary Routes from the top, plus bags of accessible terrain, and (if you're not feeling too self-conscious) the long run down the front that takes you back into Verbier under the watchful eyes of, well, just about anyone who's in skiing in resort.

The story is it's been shut for so long owing to a combination of snow conditions, or mechanical problems depending upon who you talk to, and there are even theories about insurance problems.

But it's open again and that's all that counts.

So we rather selflessly had a trip up, and it looked a bit like this (OK, the first shot was published last week, but we were so busy skiing, we forgot to take a snap to remind you what the mountain itself actually looks like):

The view from the top. Alright, if you like that kind of thing...

Lac des Vaux suddenly looks very, very small, and a long way down:

Naturally, loads of people were kean to get up there - although some might not have been quite aware of what they were getting themselves into:

Er, Louis and I practice our very best mountaineer catalogue poses (sorry):

...and a bit of Louis in action...

So what is 'adaptive'?

2007-12-21T18:35:00.000-01:00

Well, as promised, here are some snaps of the first of our adaptive lessons, as part of our new adaptive ski school. This was a sit-ski lesson with our first client, Anna. And from now on we'll be catering for all sorts of different clients, so if you're interested, give us a shout...

e

More of the same

2007-12-20T16:50:00.000-01:00

I know that I shouldn't be complacent, but the conditions here are still absolutely stunning.

We keep catching ourselves remarking on how empty the pistes are, then realising that, well, the season's barely started - with the snow and the blue skies it really does feel like March.

We've also been celebrating the start of two new parts of the ski school - the new race club for kids and teens has launched, and we've also started an adaptive side to the school which is run on a strictly not-for-profit basis. What's adaptive? Well, adaptive is any specialist ski teaching that goes beyond normal lessons - everything from visually impaired ski lessons, to learning difficulties to sit-skis.

It's a really important initiative that's been started in conjunction with Disability Snowsport UK, and we've given our first lessons this week.

And as soon as the missing USB key with all the impressive pictures on it appears, we'll upload the images (sorry Gemma - it''s here somewhere).

The view from the office...

2007-12-16T07:09:00.001-01:00

3 things we know:

2007-12-13T15:19:00.000-01:00

Thing 1: Blue skies are great (see below)
Thing 2: Loads of snow is great (see below)
Thing 3: Droopy mustaches are this season's must have facial hair (see below)

Visual gloating. Sorry.

2007-12-12T15:22:00.000-01:00

(Well, it's not all visual - Sandy and Toby found this just off the side of La Chaux. It's full depth slab creep, which means the entire snowpack has started to slide on the grass underneath a bit like a very slow avalanche. And that means the same thing could happen in a very fast avalanche... It's a huge warning, so PLEASE take care)

Morning

2007-12-12T06:50:00.001-01:00

Well, I'm back in Verbier and it's rather impressive (if the view out of the window at Chez Guy&Sandy is anything to go by).

I think we'll be posting more later on today. It's a tough job, but, well, you know...

Frustration

2007-12-10T15:16:00.001-01:00

Well, I know it’s pretty frustrating sitting at home and hearing stories about how amazing the weather / snow / parties / views / etc are in Verbier.

And today is no different, so apologies in advance. But at least you can take some comfort from the fact that all of the information I’ve got is coming second hand, as I’m back in the UK after going to a wedding at the weekend.

I mean, who gets married in December, when they know the resort’s open? Grant and Caroline, you've got a lot to answer for...

Anyway, this means I know exactly how you feel, after Toby called me to say he thinks that by the time it stops snowing (in Vebier, not Birmingham) there’ll be about 1 meter of fresh snow in resort, and that’s on top of everything that fell a week ago.

Thanks for that. I’m delighted for you, mate.

Still, it’s a brilliant start, and none of us here at ES can really remember such a good start to the season (possibly with the exception of Pascal, who’s been here for ever. Maybe longer).

So have a look at the picture Toby took out of his window earlier, and when you’ve finished sulking, remember that this is the base that we’re all still going to be skiing on by the time April comes around, so you’ll get your chance…

The calm...

2007-12-06T13:42:00.000-01:00

After coming to terms with another early snowfall, and the news that another storm’s on the way, everyone in resort’s been getting back into the rhythm of things, which includes the first lessons of the year coming in for ES, and everyone knuckling down for some pre-season instructor training.

So to fill you in on what it’s all been looking like while we’ve been busily rushing about, have a squiz at these…

The snow hammering down...

The PDG gets snowed under...

Toby's posh balcony...

Blue skies on the hill...

...and more snow is on it's way...

Choose your blog...

2007-12-03T13:07:00.001-01:00

You see, there’s a lot to talk about, really.

On one hand there’s the phenomenal heavy snow falling which has closed the resort, and on the other, there’s the early season shenanigans as all the ES staff have suddenly descended on Verbier.

So today you can choose your blog. Enjoy:

Blog A – the snow.

As Louis started to belt his first gig of the year last night in T-Bar, we couldn’t help but notice that it was starting to snow a little – modest, slushy snow that had a go a settling.

But then failed.

A bit pathetic really.

By the time Louis finished, those shy, quiet snowflakes had turned into big, aggressive, shameless ones that landed and settled wherever they fancied. Delinquent snow with an attitude problem. Snow that stole the other snow’s dinner money.

This morning it was carnage, snow everywhere, cars skidding up and down the street – the snow was definitely in charge. About 30 cm of it was loitering all over resort and sniggering when you fell over.

Equally aggressive winds had also shut all the lifts. So our Instructor Training Week was suspended and everyone toddled off home to stare out of their windows, then look up weather forecasts online.

Over and over again.

Since lunch it’s been hammering it down and doesn’t look like stopping ‘til tomorrow, and those high winds are going to carry on creating havoc all night.

And every time you step outside you get attacked by the sort of flakes that could take your eye out.

It’s brilliant.

Blog B – the shenanigans.

As if by magic, just before it starts hammering down with snow, the resort has filled up with staff. Old faces, new faces, and the odd comedy beard have descended on resort, and everyone’s wandering round desperately trying to remember people’s names.

It also means that the campest man in resort is back – yes Louis’ here, and he played his inaugural gig at the T-Bar was last night.

And he’s still a bit good. Annoyingly. But he is rubbish at growing facial hair. So in that sense it all evens out…

(Please God he never grows the ‘moustache’ again).

It also means that Kato is out and about as his spiritual home Casbah has opened up. A messy night, as usual.

And Taras has been transformed into “The Swankiest Nightclub in the Alpes”.

Whilst we don’t really know what that means, we do know it’s going to be called The Coco Club, and judging by the amount of work going into it, it’s going to be very impressive in deed.

We’ll let you know more as soon as Jimmy let’s us in…

The first blog

2007-11-17T16:59:00.001-01:00

Right, let’s get things straight, it’s November. Definitely November. Which is why we’re all a bit confused here in Verbier.

Look at the sky and you’d swear it was April, step outside and it’s as cold as January. Then when you put your skis on, and you stop caring what’s written on the calendar and you hammer around like a fool.

And grinning. There’s been a lot of grinning.

We’ve had a massive dump last week (about 60 cm, maybe more – who’s really counting?), and it’s been absolutely freezing (try waking up on Friday morning to temperatures outside of minus 15º).

So, when Televerbier fired up the lifts on Friday, everyone in town and the valley, plus a good few keen Swiss from Geneva, were all desperate to get up there and see what it looked like…

Well, it didn’t disappoint – put it this way, nobody in the pub could remember an opening day where you could get face shots when you dropped off the sides of Lac des Vaux. And some of those guys are really old…

The highest November snowfall in Switzerland since 1956, apparently.

The fresh snow off-piste has started to creep a little though, sliding on the smooth grass underneath. And it’ll take a little while for the snow to form a stable base.

So backside of Mont Fort and other favourites are going to be off limits for a while.

And what’s the winter going to be like? Well, you never know, but with more weather coming in at the end of the week, it couldn’t be a more perfect start. I can’t wait.

And it’s still only November…

Snow in NZ

2007-09-05T21:16:00.000-01:00

Update from ES instructors Emma & Jojo, in Queenstown, New Zealand...

If you ever get the chance to come to New Zealand, jump at it - it's an amazing country, so beautiful, stunning views, friendly people, chilled atmosphere and generally clear, sunny weather.

We're working and playing out here for the winter, Emma at the Remarkables and Jojo at Coronet Peak. Both really nice mountains to ski at & within easy reach of Queenstown. Jojo has been excelling in race training at Coronet and Emma has been working on her Freestyle & Big Mountain skiing in the park and off piste at Remarks. It's very unspoilt here, there are huge mountain ranges completely untouched - I imagine it to be like the European Alps before it was taken over by lift developments.

There's still some winter left - we've just had a good dump of snow, which was needed - and now we're back to cold but clear days.

Photos to come...

Interview with ES Instructor

2007-08-26T20:39:00.000-01:00

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Spend Your Gap Year in Verbier With ES & PL

2007-08-26T20:14:00.002-01:00

Why not come to Verbier for the season, check out our Partners Peak Leaders 11 week course, here is the video. New ">Video.

Weathermen. Bless them.

2007-04-09T15:49:00.001-01:00

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

2007-04-08T16:39:00.000-01:00

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????????

2007-04-06T14:25:00.000-01:00

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

2007-04-06T14:20:00.001-01:00

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

2007-04-05T20:00:00.000-01:00

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

2007-04-04T11:13:00.001-01:00

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

2007-04-01T15:33:00.001-01:00

Esater arrives in Verbier

2007-03-31T17:54:00.002-01:00

It's Saturday and the crowds expected for Easter have started arriving. The slopes today were full of competitors for the Verbier High Five event including some pros such as Hermann Maier. Elsewhere in the resort it was remarkably quiet on the pistes.

The snow forecast for yesterday and today has failed to materialise in the quantities expected. However clouds are gathering this evening so it could be that the forecast is a couple of days late.

Air temperatures have been chilly in the morning but snow has been fairly soft due to overnight clouds stopping frosty conditions. High on the main mountain conditions are still good - especially in the morniing. Savoleyres remains empty and still a good option for morning skiing along the top and back. Although the front Le Sud piste and Route Carrefour have been shut due to snow melt.
Tomorrow is forecast as sun and rising temperatures with more of the same at the start of the week. No more snow is forecast in the immediate future - although mid April usually sees a heavy fall so fingers crossed.

The forecast

2007-03-31T15:28:00.001-01:00

Before I bang on a bout the weather and the pistes and all the usual guff, I thought it would be only fair to give Sandy some weel earned congratulations, because - after all the stick we give him about his suspicious hair style, falling over antics and gruff northern demeanor - he's played an absolute blinder and passed his European Mountain Security Exam.

Now that may sound like an odd qualification for french bouncers, but it's actually a desperately difficult off-piste exam. And the wee man passed yesterday. And he's probably still in Casbar.

As for Verbier - all's good...

OK the forecast snow seems to have gone missing, but instead we've had blue skies and more uncrowded pistes, despite the fact that the Carlsberg High Five has drawn loads of people to Verbier to help celebrate the sport of skiing with a few pints of Danish Champagne.

And the forecast says that the weather is going to be a mixed bag of sunshine and occasional snow flurries for the foreseeable future - although these are the same people that promised us about 15cm of fresh snow last night.... pinch of salt anyone?

2006/7 Staff Photo

2007-03-30T15:43:00.001-01:00

staff photo copy
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport.

The Team

Another impressive day

2007-03-29T16:59:00.001-01:00

I hate to tell you, but today has been another stunner - and none of the predicted cloud and snow arrived, leaving us free to cruise around Verbier and enjoy great empty pistes (even through the most notorous of Verbier's bottlenecks).

Of course these benefits pale into insignificance when weighed against the fact that the flat and resort are sadly Sandy-free at the moment, while he's off taking his European Mountain Security exam in the aptly named Le Grave.

Still, much as everyone at ES wishes the slightly-lanky-falling-over-machine all the best, we all agree that if he chooses to leave his slightly radioactive trainers somewhere in France, Verbier will not mind in the slightest...

Anyway, here's a picture of someone standing at the top of Atalas today looking thoughtfull. Bless them.

Uncrowded slopes and blue skies - perfect in Verbier

2007-03-28T14:11:00.001-01:00

Blue skies and warmer temperatures on uncrowded slopes have made Verbier the place to be this week. Piste conditions have been great from early in the morning right through the day. Moguls on the main mountain are best attempted in the afternoon when the snow is somewhat softer. Although the main itineraries and Mont Fort have good conditiions all day. Other areas worth trying for those seeking bumps are at Savoleyres on the north side under the 6 man Le Nord lift and under the 4 man Tailley lift.

Conditions for beginners at Les Esserts are very good with the lower temperatures allowing snowmaking to maintain the slopes.The Route Carrefour back from Savoleyres to the main mountain is also open but watch out for bare patches in the last 100m.

The Verbier High Five sponsored by Carlsberg is set to go this Saturday 31st March. Five competitions open to downhill skiers, snowboarders and telemarkers are on the agenda: a giant slalom, a boarder cross, a mogul run, a fun "triathlon" and a parallel slalom to sort out the best of each category. Providing an opportunity to race with champions, the day will finish with a lively après-ski at the resort. Sign-up under www.verbiersportplus.ch

The next couple of day are forecast as a mix of cloud and blue skies with cooler temperatures. The next snow forecast is for around 5cm on Friday and the same again on Saturday.

Fantastic conditions in Verbier

2007-03-25T17:20:00.002-01:00

Perfect pistes and great weather in Verbier it hasn't been better all season!!! The clouds of earlier in the week have now cleared to give blue skies and fantastic on-piste conditions. Yesterday there was hardly a soul to be seen early morning on Attelas but the perfectly groomed slopes were amazing.

Off-piste was also in great condition. Tortin had bumps in the main fall line but still plenty of powder along the traverse. Col des Gentianes also looked good with the bumps being soft and gentle. further afield on Combatzelline on the other side of Siviez the carving pistes were uncrowded although somewhat icier than those in Verbier. The Vallon D'Arbi and Col des Mines itinerary routes have also been opened up after the recent snowfall - so get out there and enjoy while the cold conditions keep the snow good.

The Verbier Xtreme event went ahead today in great conditions up on the Bec Des Rosses. Crowds were at Col des Gentianes to view the event and later on in the town to see close ups on the main screen. The runs down were awesome - these guys and girls really have some guts and the show was as spectacular as always.

The next couple of day are forecast as cool temperatures of around -5C with some sun and some cloud but no new snow. From Tuesday temperatures are set to rise again with the possibility of a little snow. The next main snowfall is forecast for Friday.

The more things change...

2007-03-23T15:59:00.001-01:00

Actually, nothing's really changed, so it's no surprise that the weather has stayed the same - still cold, still cloudy and still snowing.

The only variations have been the enthusiasm with which it's been snowing - a bit or a lot - and the distance you can see in front of you - sometimes it's a bit, sometimes it's a bit less...

Which is a shame as I'd planned on filling this blog entry with pictures of our instructor training with Kevin Mocherie (a wise man in the world of skiing, however, Kevin, perhaps it's time to have a chat with Roddy about upgrading the goggles).

So, instead, here's a picture of clouds. But the good news is that things look like they're about to (brace yourselves) change and get sunny.

Just in time for the Holidays, but maybe not soon enough for the Verbier Extreme tomorrow...

Crumbs.

Snow and more snow..........

2007-03-22T18:02:00.001-01:00

Loads more snow in Verbier it simply hasn't stopped for the last 3 days. While temperatures have also been much lower than recent weeks this has provided an excellent top up for the rest of the season.

Low visibility has remained a problem particularly in the afternoons where there have been shouts heards of - Hello is anyone out there????? However, today proved better all round and winds speeds have also decreased providing soft powder on -piste well below Ruinettes.

The 12th O'Neill Xstreem competition is setting up in Verbier. The famous freeskiing competition with 24 invited skiers and boarders attempting the Bec Des Rosses is set to go for this weekend. Get your position sorted at the Col des Gentianes on Saturday from 10am or see it later on the big screen on the Rue du Medran. Expect a wealth of entertainments and skills demonstrations, this is sure to be a truly great sporting event - and an opportunity for freeride pros to assist in the campaign to prevent off-piste skiing accidents.

Tomorrow morning has some sun forecast with snow arriving later. Friday and Saturday also have cloud and snow forecast with temperatures of around -5C. From Sunday expect clearer skies and time to seek out the off-piste again and get those fat skis on!!!

Making it's mind up

2007-03-21T15:25:00.001-01:00

It's been pretty nippy up there for the last few days, but today it wasn't sure if it wanted to be spring or winter - so Verbier swung from sunny and beautiful to cloudy and invisible.

Still, we're getting snow and it's staying cold - and all the snow cannons are churning out tonnes extra - so Easter should have great conditions on piste even if Verbier has another transformation and goes dead hot like last week.

And this pretty much sums today up - is it murky and sinister or sunny and glorious? Who knows...