Sunny days in Verbier

The sun continues to shine in Verbier during the day and blue skies are everywhere. The pistes are almost empty but snow conditions are still good. Snow cannons are working hard in the below zero overnight temperatures to ensure the pistes are kept covered.

South facing slopes on Savoleyres are sufferring a bit from the warm days but the other pistes in the area are still in great condition. The Route Carrefour back from Savoleyres to the main mountain is open but care needs to be taken at the end to avoid the patches of bare tarmac.

Weather forecasts show more sun for the next few days – watch this space for details of the next snow……..

Fun meets reality…

The great thing about Verbier is that it’s a resort where you get extremes – from people out here battling with their first snowplough to the experts off hammering through the off piste.

Which makes it brilliant working out here – the instructors get all kinds of different skiers all the time and when we get time off we can head out exploring…

Which is exactly what we’ve been up to, and here are few shots from the other day (I know they’re a bit arty, but we thought it looked nice…):

However, the problem with skiing off piste is the dangers that come with it – especially with the new snow in resort – so we weren’t too surprised when our weekly ski school meeting was interupted by an emergency call asking all instructors to head up the hill to help with a massive avalanche search…

As a Ski School here we’re expected to be part of any avalanche rescue and if there’s a real emergency we have to get there and help out.

So with the adrenaline pumping we ran up to Medran and got on the lift.

Once we were up there it became clear that luckily it was just a drill organised by Televerbier, and we spent the next few hours in the pitch black and up to our wastes in powder practicing searching in -13 °C.

A good (but very cold) reality check for everyone, and it underlined the message that if you’re going off-piste then make sure you know where your going, make sure you all take an avalanche tranceiver, shovel and probe – and make sure you know how to use them.

And – although it all sounds a bit serious – if you’re not sure then go with a guide or an instructor, or just don’t go – it really isn’t worth the risk.

Sunny and clear days

Sunshine and blue skies welcomed crowds to Verbier this weekend. With temperatures remaining below zero the snow quality is still very good – packed powder on the pistes and chopped up soft stuff off-piste. Col des Gentaines is once again open although watch out for a small rocky patch halfway down. Tortin is also open and said to be very good at present with not too many moguls. The glacier drag lifts and itineraries Vallon D Arbi and Col des Mines remain closed for the present. However, rock coverage off-piste is generally much better following the recent snowfall this week.

At Savoleyres the snow conditions are still very good and the slopes are much less crowded. The only icy run is the red down to La Tzoumaz all the other runs are pisted powder and there is still some powder available off piste on the La Tzoumaz side of the mountain and under the Tailley lift.

The forecast for the next few days into February is for more sun and temperatures of around 4 C during the day and -5C overnight. Snow cannons are now back hard at work to maintain the snow conditions as we roll up towards the half term holiday.

ES come 2nd in 24Hr Freeride

It’s party time in Verbier again with the Dominique Perret 24Hr Freeride contest hitting town. Over 130 teams of 4 skiers and riders competed day and night in a grueling 24hr race down the main mountain. Music and entertainment was provided for the teams who ran in relays to do the most vertical metres with the top teams completing over 80,000m. The winners were Team Saloman with local team European Snowsport coming in a very creditable second with 515km logged. This was a first time entry for the boys from E.S – Louis, Anders, Andreas and Olivier well done guys!

<a href=”">2nd prize

<a href=”">celebration

+++++++++++++++9 AM RACE UPDATE++++++++++++++

Dawn has broken over Verbier and the news is not brilliant…but not bad.

Louis is pretty sure that Team ES are still behind the lightening quick Team 101 (who are rumoured to be a team of pro-skiers), but we’re still hanging in there.

The fatigue is kicking in though, so Anders’ secret technique of “just going straight” might be a little risky…

The thing is that we’ll only find out where we stand when it’s all over at midday…

24hr Race Update 6 a.m.

DSC_2567
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport.

After some stunningly quick laps from Anders and Louis, mystery Team 101’s lead is now reduced to 5 mins.

Anders said “we’ve tried some new routes and it seems to b paying off” he added “101 are real fast pro-skiers but i think we can stay with them maybe even close the gap some more”.

The race contiinues…..

3 am and all is, well, a bit close…

At 3 am Andreas had just taken over from Louis on the decents and things were very close.

Estimates are that the mysterious Team 101 are a daytime lap ahead of Team ES (about 11km) but a night time lap behind us (about 5km), which means that they’re roughly 6 km ahead.

And we think we’re running in second place but no one’s quite certain.

But they were clawing back time as Andreas took over and gained about a minute on the boys during the pre-changeover and post-changeover laps. It’s very, very close in deed…

More later…

24hr Race Team ES Charge on

As the moon is high over Verbier and most people are either asleep or revelling away in a cosy night club, up on the mountain Team ES charges in to the night.

12 min laps were maintained past midnight, and a 12 min Lap involves almost straight lining the whole mountain at night over-taking other racers and dicing with various dangers on the descent…

Louis, Anders, Olivier and Andreas all put in fast laps before midnight, and while one skis the others try to catch up on much needed sleep.

However, the hardest hours are still to come…

24hr Race heads in to the night…

Team ES charged in to the night with Anders putting in some 12 min laps from Ruinnette to Medran.

Taking a hard and direct lines all four team members clawed their way back in to the front of the pack. Estimates put Team ES Near the front of the action.

As we go in to the evening moral is high and team work is playing a key part in quick lap times.

More to come as soon as we can get back to the computer…

ES team begin 24 hr ski race

ES team Members Louis Hall (GBR), Olivier Sonsonons (SUI) Andreas Brihem & Anders Nystrom (both SWE) have begun the Verbier 24hr Freeride competition.

Olivier skied first taking a slight lead in the running section from place central to the Medran. Heading in to the afternoon Team ES is in the top three teams.

More news will follow as the competition develops…

Racing finshes 12 noon tomorrow.

Louis

Olivier

Perfect powder

Yes the snow has arrived at last………….Fresh soft powder snow has been available all around Verbier for the the last couple of days. Conditions are now a bit more compacted but cold temperatures have kept the conditions good. Wind during the recent snowfall has caused pockets of powder to develop in certain areas – have a look at the <a href=”‘>video if you want to see how deep!! It is still possible to find soft powder even if a bit chopped up – especially over at Savoleyres which has been quieter than the main mountain.

This weekend sees the Dominique Perrier 24hr Freeride competition starting 12 midday tomorrow and continuing until the same time the following day. Teams of keen skiers will be aiming to do the greatest number of vertical feet day and night to win the competition.

During a relatively quiet week in resort training for instructors has been much in evidence. On the Savoleyres stade European Snowsport and New Generation were doing some giant slalom gates this afternoon. While the Peak Leaders Gap Year course have now finished their training and are about to take their instructor assessment – good luck!

Today saw blue skies and ice particles sparkling in the sun. Wrap up warm though as temperatures on the mountain have been around –15 C. Snow is now all the way down into the valley and winter seems to have arrived at last. The forecast is for the cold conditions to continue for the next few days.

Finally…

After a very long wait we were rewarded with a hefty dump of perfect powder, so with Sandy and Jim (from the opposition), we headed off to Savoleyres before catching up with the resort staff to do a bit of training.

Suffice to say it didn’t disappoint anyone when the sun came out and Savoleyres was revealed in all it’s glory…

And then we headed to Apres Ski to see the long awaited return of Yellow Mike – a fantastic performance as usual..

And it looked a little something like this…

Snow at last in Verbier

Just when we thought the forecasts might be wrong again snow is falling at last in Verbier!!!!

This morning was overcast but the clouds were still high in the sky. Strong winds at Lac des Vaux made riding the lift painful as well as difficult to get off.

Clive and Ali of Discover Verbier

This afternoon, a good 24hrs later than predicted, the clouds have rolled in and a few flurries soon turned into almost white-out conditions. Temperatures have dropped significantly and snow is settling down in the village at 1500m as well as up on the mountain.

Tortin yesterday had some great smooth packed powder. The options for this famous run are to go straight down the large moguls at the entrance or negotiate a tricky traverse along to skiers right. The effort is worth it though whichever route you choose. Conditions tomorrow with the new snowfall can only improve the somewhat rocky way in.

On the après scene rumours are flying about a billionaire who funded a free bar at the Farinet last night. Ambulances were called to ferry away a few that had overindulged. Expect crowds there again tonight for the delayed first night of the infamous Yellow Mike Band.

The Bruson area remains closed as is the Col des Gentianes itinerary route. It is still best to take the lift down from Ruinettes at present.

Fingers crossed for an extended snowfall although the forecast is only for 13cm – but looking outside just now it looks as though the weather has settled in for the night at least – get those fat skis ready!!!!

Going to the dogs at the Fer a Cheval

Excitement builds as clouds arrive in Verbier

Over the last couple of days there has been a steady build-up of cloud cover and dropping temperatures heralding a change from the warm conditions we have been experiencing. A small amount of snow has already fallen and up to 5 cm is expected tomorrow followed by up to 20cm on Tuesday – at last the snow arrives!!!!!!!

Crowds of local people thronged the slopes this weekend, but we expect the slopes to be quieter during the week as cars are already leaving the resort. Apres ski has also been very busy and the Farinet Apres bar has the ever popular Yellow Mike band playing next week – get there early before all the tables go – or you will have nothing to dance on!!!

Andreas trying a somersault with poles but no skis!!!!!!!!!

Conditions on the main mountain are very good as with the higher winds powder snow has been blown into the valleys. Off-piste is still affected by wind crust but Tortin is said to be very good with few moguls and some deep pockets of powder. Mont Fort is open once again having been closed due to high winds and the snow is soft powder.

The warm weather has kept the snow soft allowing some good mogul practice on Fontaneys. However, there have been some avalanches with the Col des Gentianes itinerary run experienced a full depth slip on Friday. – Watch those snow conditions!!

Michel and Laura put us through our paces…

When Michel asks if anyone wants Instructor training it leaves you with a difficult dilema – if you say yes you spend the day having a brilliant time and learning loads, but as Michel takes you through a mind-boggling range of complex exercises, it makes you realise exactly how much there is still to learn as well as how good people can actually get.

Which is at once depressing and brilliant…

And when Laura D offers to do some bumps practice after that, it’s also pretty hard to turn down an afternoon spent with someone who’s actually skied the Moguls for Britain at the Olympics.

An impressive combination and a great day training (if a little humbling). Anyway, here’s what it looked like:

…waiting to head into the bumps on Mont Fort.

…Sandy aims for the Swedes and attacks.

…everybody practices their very best catalogue model poses.

(And I know it’s hard to believe, but we haven’t re-touched Roddy’s goggles, and he’s not the victim of some radio-active accident – they’re just very, very, VERY bright orange).

…gathering clouds confirm the rumours that more snow is on it’s way – a little forecast for Sunday and Monday, then something a bit more serious for Monday night.

And as everyone in the other Alpine resorts keeps telling me that Verbier has the best snow in Europe, it looks like things are about to get even better…

Louis still "actually quite good"

It’s a galling fact that Louis is rather good at singing and playing guitar. The only compensation for the rest of us is that he becomes the most nervous man in the world just before he takes the stage.

In fact, it’s worth going to the T-bar on a Thursday night to simply watch him pacing about looking terrified…

Anyway, while we were waiting for it to start snowing, everyone at ES went to the T-bar to watch the man in action, and here’s what it looked like (as well as the ensuing chaos at Tara’s…).

James and Alex Cove report from Wengen, Verbier and Austria

Two stories from ES Instructor James Cove and his son Alex.

James
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6277331.stm

Alex
http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/news/item.asp?intCategoryID=4&intItemID=4486

ES Magazine #1

ES Magazine
Originally uploaded by European Snowsport.

Not a real magazine, not yet anyway but what this blog would look like if it was a glossy publication….. Swiss Cover Girl Sabine Hegner Braces our first edition.

It’s a bit wet up there………..

Rain and high winds closed the top lifts in Verbier today. Snow was falling above Ruinettes quite thickly at times but high temperatures made the fall a bit wet. Those brave enough to venture up came down a bit damper for the experience. Still any new snow is a welcome event!

Restaurants down in the resort were busy at lunch catering to those deciding, perhaps wisely, to have a day off skiing and wait for better conditions tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a good overnight snowfall although many forecasts predict warm winds coming in to give rain up to 3000m.
Resort staff day off yesterday saw many chalet hosts hitting the slopes for free lessons with some of the ski schools. Snowboarding is particularly popular with seasonaires although some skills still require improvement – see video below
Kato from ES with resort staff

after a boarding lesson

Pub Mont Fort just above Medran is as popular as ever with the immediate après ski crowd and was busy yesterday with stories of exploits on the mountain.

The forecast for tomorrow is for more snow, temperatures and wind speeds to drop off.

Chivalry at apres !!!!!

Pub Mont Fort

It’s a bit wet up there………..

Rain and high winds closed the top lifts in Verbier today. Snow was falling above Ruinettes quite thickly at times but high temperatures made the fall a bit wet. Those brave enough to venture up came down a bit damper for the experience. Still any new snow is a welcome event!

Restaurants down in the resort were busy at lunch catering to those deciding, perhaps wisely, to have a day off skiing and wait for better conditions tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a good overnight snowfall although many forecasts predict warm winds coming in to give rain up to 3000m.
Resort staff day off yesterday saw many chalet hosts hitting the slopes for free lessons with some of the ski schools. Snowboarding is particularly popular with seasonaires although some skills still require improvement – see video below
Kato from ES with resort staff

after a boarding lesson

Pub Mont Fort just above Medran is as popular as ever with the immediate après ski crowd and was busy yesterday with stories of exploits on the mountain.

The forecast for tomorrow is for more snow, temperatures and wind speeds to drop off.

Chivalry at apres !!!!!

Pub Mont Fort