The sunshine has gone but 60cm of powder is here : 30th December 2011
Lift closures and high avalanche risk but sunshine on way

The sunshine and clear skies of a few days ago gave way very quickly to a storm that brought in a big snowfall. In resort there was around 30cm by the end of the day and, with the freezing level down to the valley, the snow fell as low as Le Châble and covered all roads from there up through the resort.

The really good news is that as much as 60 cm of powder fell higher up the mountain but strong winds kept almost all lifts shut for the majority of the day. The link from Le Châble to Verbier and the Medran lifts did get opened by the late afternoon and the Bruson sector, Le Rouge, Les Esserts and Moulins pistes were open all day as they are lower down and not as affected by the strong winds.

The risk of avalanche has risen to a predictable 4 out of 5, which is very considerable. This means that with more snow due overnight and tomorrow the likelihood of more lift closures is very probable. Bruson, if open in the morning, will be a good bet but expect crowds. The wind has been strong and coming from the west, as it has been with previous heavy snowfalls, so expect large amounts of slab to be forming and cross loading in any couloirs and on faces that are either north or south facing. In truth local winds and wind trap terrain will also allow heavy accumulation of snow on other aspects so watch out over the next few days!

On piste the new snow fell so fast that everything was powder covered today and, although the visibility was not great, it still allowed people to ski powder on piste on the tree covered lower areas where the visibility was better.

Temperatures have been chilly but over the next few days that freezing level will rise to around 2000m and so will the temperatures. More snow is forecast for Saturday morning but then the storm will start to break around the end of the weekend and into next week sunshine is due.

New Year's Eve is tomorrow so expect Verbier to be set alight as thousands of people head into town to celebrate the New Year under the stars. Fireworks, champagne and celebrations will be in abundance and then everybody has to get up and go play in the powder, which just won’t stop coming.

• Altitude of last snowfall
  +700m
• Depth of snow on lower slopes
  45cm
• Latest Conditions
  Cloudy, snowy and windy
• Date of last snowfall
  31.12
• Depth of last snowfall
  60cm
• Total number of pistes
  37
• Highest temperature
  -4
• Altitude of lower slopes
  1500m
• Depth of snow on upper slopes
  240cm
• Avalanche risk
  4
• Altitude of upper slopes
  2950m
• Number of pistes open
  14
• Altitude of highest temperature
  1500m

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