Uncategorized

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…

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…).

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.

Well, I have to admit that this weekend I took a brief trip away from the wonders of Verbier and had a quick trip over to see some mates in Meribel.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the 3 Valleys, and I spent three brilliant winters working in Courchevel, but it’s SO good to be back home in Verbier again…

After reading a few articles I’d expected the conditions in the Meribel Valley to be pretty ‘agricultural’, but it seems the rumours were pretty much out of sync with what’s actually happening there (and in the Alpes in general), and although the off-piste base was fairly poor, the pistes were fine and I had three good days hooning about.

But today I was back out on the sunny slopes of Verbier teaching, and the conditions here – again, in spite of all the reports – have been absolutely great.

In fact, if you go up to La Chaux and Lac des Vaux, there’s still brilliant grippy snow that makes you wonder what the fuss is all about.

And the rumour is spreading in resort is that there’s snow on the way – in fact, there were flakes in the air on and off all day today.

So, as the sun went down behind some brewing clouds this afternoon, there was quite a lot to look forward too…

Empty slopes and good snow coverage on the slopes of Verbier make it about the best the Alps has to offer at the moment. Yesterday’s blue skies have given way to a cooler overcast day today. This is good in that it is preserving the snow we have and perhaps heralding more to come!

Ali from Discover Verbier

‘>at Chez Dany

Bright blue skies and un-crowded slopes made for pleasant skiing in Verbier. The snow promised for 2 days ago didn’t materialise, instead we are experiencing a mix of hard pack and spring snow skiing.

Conditions on the main mountain are icy in the morning but softening up in most places by early afternoon. The advice is to have a late breakfast then follow the sun – from Attelas to La Chaux first thing then on the sections below Ruinettes after lunch..

Most of the itinerary routes remain closed. However, Tortin is reported to be in good condition as is Mont Fort – except the traverse at the top which is somewhat rocky. Fontaney now has large icy moguls great for masochists – but for the rest of us best avoided until a new snowfall arrives.

At Savoleyres the front side of the mountain is icy early on but then quickly turns to spring snow down the front. The red run down to La Tzoumaz is to be avoided unless you want to practice your technique over the large sections of sheet ice.

The parapenting (paragliding) community were out in force today taking advantage of the warm breeze coming up from the valley. The next few days look ideal for taking to the skies and I will be following up on my basic pilot course by learning to take off and land on skis – will let you know if this is easier than running!

The weather forecast for the next couple of days is sunny with temperatures of around –1 C on the mountain and low wind speeds
Parapenting at Ruinnette