Sunshine, quiet pistes & great snow continue : 16th January 2012
More snow forecast for the weekend

The great weather has continued over the last couple of days and should be around for the rest of the week. The clear skies have created some very cold temperatures, especially at night, but a very hot sun though the daytime has provided some welcome heat.

On piste the whole area is open and the snow is in great condition too. Lower down it is icier but the lack of crowds mean that bumps and ice are not forming half as much as a few weeks ago. Over the last weekend the ski area was a lot busier as weekenders flooded in to Verbier to enjoy the superb conditions.

We did find some powder recently although we had to walk to get to it. The risk of avalanche is stable at 2 out of 5 but watch out for sun drenched slopes under 2000m (approximately). The intense sun over the last couple of weeks has caused snow to melt. That water has percolated through the snow pack and caused failures by lubricating the grassy base. Evidence of this is most obvious on the face that runs from Attelas all the way across to Savoleyres. Most powder has now been tracked but it has been so cold that the snow on off piste faces is compact and grippy and great fun to ride if you want to get off the beaten track. Similar conditions are to be found on the designated free-ride runs. Chassoure to Tortin and Gentianes to Tortin are in great condition, with hardly any bumps and patches of wind blown snow in some areas.

The wind has been very light most days but occasionally it has picked up and transported a dusting of snow onto slopes which has freshened them up a little.

Queues have also been light, apart form the weekend, and there has been very little waiting at any lifts.

The high temperatures in resort and hot sun have cleared the roads and paths of snow but watch out for black ice which appears overnight, making paths and roads very hazardous.

With quiet pistes, great snow and fantastic weather January has not disappointed so far. The forecast for the weekend is for some snow to come in which is perfect timing to freshen up the old stuff before it gets too bullet proof. There is between 20-30 cm forecast and with light winds it should be just the right amount for the weekend crowds to get their powder fix.

• Latest Conditions
  sunny, chilly and clear
• Depth of snow on lower slopes
  20cm
• Altitude of last snowfall
  +1350m
• Date of last snowfall
  05.01.2012
• Depth of last snowfall
  40cm
• Total number of pistes
  37
• Highest temperature
  -6
• Altitude of lower slopes
  1500m
• Depth of snow on upper slopes
  260cm
• Avalanche risk
  2
• Altitude of upper slopes
  3330m
• Number of pistes open
  37
• Altitude of highest temperature
  2200m

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