Verbier Snow Report : 7th January 2013

A hot sun and clear skies have heated things up quite significantly over the last week but after so much snow fell at the start of the season it has not affected the superb ski conditions. There is great cover throughout the 4 Vallees and all lifts and pistes are currently open. The intense heat in Verbier and as high as Ruinettes station is tempered by the strong cold winds above 3000m+ which are keeping things very chilly higher up. The clear skies through the day mean clear skies through the night where the temperatures freeze the snowpack again, resulting in perfect pistes with long smooth sections for the quiet January crowds to enjoy.

The risk of avalanche is currently 2 out of 5 but the high winds that have been at altitude have transported old snow and filled in tracks and bumps and the off piste itinerary runs are in great conditions. Where this northerly wind has accumulated snow there will be wind crust and some isolated pockets of wind slab. Below around 2500m the intense heat through the day and the very high temperature variation through freezing nights and hot days, has and will continue to cause full depth avalanches especially on South facing slopes.

In La Chaux the park has now sprung up with its own selection of rails, kickers and other obstacles. There is also an air bag jump at the bottom of the park and a big screen films your jumps.

The weather over the next few days looks set to be quite nice but with some clouds and snow showers by the end of the week and a general drop in temperatures and freezing level will stop the thaw.

If you want to do some ski touring in the night then the Savoleyres restaurant will stay open until 9pm allowing skiers to skin up from either Tzoumaz or Verbier. The Pasay restaurant at Bruson will also stay open until 8:30pm on Thursdays but by reservations only at the following number. +41792455029. For further information contact info@verbiersportplus.ch or telephone+41277753363. Also, if you would like a night time drive in a piste basher then ask at the Medran information desk.