Verbier Snow Report
26th April 2012
The Swiss army occupies Verbier. In order to organise the PDG competitionOver the last week the unsettled weather has stubbornly refused to stabilise and instead has brought in some sunshine but also colder temperatures clouds and periods of flat light. There has also been more snow with around an extra 30-40cm accumulating over the last four days. Up on the glacier, Backside of Mont Fort, Stairway and Highway the snow is still in great condition with fresh tracks still to be had. Lower down the pistes still have very good cover although the cat track back to Medran is only just open and most other lower runs and lifts are now closed.
Couloir skiing credit: verbinet.comClick on image to view full size
Some great powder recently credit: verbinet.comClick on image to view full size
Hazy at times but dead quiet credit: verbinet.comClick on image to view full size
Mayentzet closed but good cover low down credit: verbinet.comClick on image to view full size
Some unstable snow out there credit: verbinet.comClick on image to view full size
Share this page
The Mayentzet chair lift is now closed so below Ruinettes you have to ski down to resort. All the off piste free-ride slopes are now closed. This includes Vallon d’Arbi/Col des Mines, Mont Gele, Chassoure to Tortin and Gentianes to Tortin. You can still access Verbier from the 4 Vallees via the Gentianes cable car and get up to Mont Fort. Bruson and Savoleyres are now closed too but with Lac de Vaux, Attelas to Ruinettes, La Chaux and the glacier still open and winter conditions prevailing there will be plenty of fresh snow to see us to the end of this weekend when the lift system shuts down. I will be doubly sad as I will be unable to use the lift to bring my bike back up from Le Chable. Bikers have been able to put their bikes on the lift for the last couple of weeks and the tracks down to the valley drop just under 1000m through stunning alpine scenery and along the gentler single track that Verbier has to offer. Bikes can be hired with body armour at many ski shops in town, just remember to stay off the farmers’ grass and watch out for pedestrians.
The risk of avalanche has risen to 3 out of 5 as a strong wind has come in with the recent snow and created many pockets of wind slab, which is renowned for causing the more serious avalanches. The temperature up the mountain has been more comfortable recently and I was able to wear my usual winter attire. Often the temperatures see-saw and one minute you can be feeling the chill and then the next you are sweating in excessive humidity as the mist rolls in. People have still not given up on the season yet and most areas that are open are tracked very quickly after each snowfall this last couple of weeks. Now though, with some areas closed, it is great time to get the skins on your skis and go and find the powder which is just out of reach of the average piste skier. The Patrouille des Glaciers race is going on at the moment. This cross mountain ski race sees teams travel a normal 3-4 day route in as little as 6 hours. From Wednesday through until Saturday the teams will be arriving at the sports centre via Place Centrale. The army is in attendance during the competition as they organise the event and provide the huge logistical operation that a big event such as this needs. With the lifts all set to shut on the 29th April the Ultime Session will be held at the snowpark in La Chaux on the Saturday 28th April. This event is a combination of food, waterslides, music and fun and will be a great way to see out the end of the winter season. Also for the end of this week and into the weekend the weather looks set to take a turn with sun and temperatures climbing back up in the direction of last months' summer heat. Whatever the weather does I will be either biking, snowboarding or both over the coming days until the lifts close and everyone leaves. Summer is on the way!
Conditions at time of reporting:
- Latest Conditions
changeable with trending towards sunshine and warmer temps. - Depth of snow on lower slopes
1cm - Altitude of last snowfall
2450m - Date of last snowfall
24.04.2012 - Depth of last snowfall
10cm - Total number of pistes
37 - Highest temperature
-1 - Altitude of lower slopes
1500m - Depth of snow on upper slopes
305cm - Avalanche risk
3 - Altitude of upper slopes
3330m - Number of pistes open
12 - Altitude of highest temperature
1500m