Verbier Activity Review: 19th October 2011

This still allows walkers, bikers and parapenters to get up to Ruinettes level and enjoy the fantastic weather. There is a low pressure system coming in over the next few days which is forecast to bring in some snow around 1500 metres and higher. Any snow at this time of the season is all good news as the high and shaded aspect of Lac de Veux means that snow will stay and build up over the next few weeks to provide piste cover for the scheduled November ski lift opening. The temperature in the afternoon sun has been very comfortable recently but in the shade it is very chilly, especially in the morning.

Over the last weekend I spent Saturday and Sunday on the biking trails and there were plenty of other bikers around too as Verbier remains one of the only resorts with lift access at this time of the year. The trails were wet and muddy in places but in the trees lower down it was still dry.

On Monday I went with a friend to go climbing down the valley. We spent the day climbing an eight pitch climb above the road to Le Chable. The route was a huge ridgeline and it snaked up the mountain through incredible alpine scenery. There were occasional ‘eagles nest' like perches to stand on and take in the views. The weather was clear and sunny and temperatures warm and summer-like.

On Tuesday I took advantage of the lift opening to take my bike up for a spin. Although I only did one run, taking the lift up at 13:30, it was nice to have had the option. Having the ability to get up to around 2000 metres through the week allows access to longer routes down to Martigny and surrounding areas from where you can take trains and buses back to Verbier.

All in all the weather and lift openings have been very welcome over the normally quiet autumn period. Hopefully the good weather will continue over the coming weeks and at the same time the occasional snow cloud over Lac de Vaux would be welcome too.