Mmmmmm, sunshine

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…

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…

There’s no such thing as bad weather – just the wrong clothes…

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).

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

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…

I’m not promising anything

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?

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?

What’s a thermal inversion, then?

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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…

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…

Er, we’re waiting…

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…

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.