Fresh pow and cold temps for Verbier

In recent years we’ve been experiencing a lot of heavy snowfall followed by warmer temperatures, meaning the snow gets heavy quite quickly. However, so far this week that is simply not the case, and the snow hasn’t got any heavier as the days have passed. This week has been truly epic, and the mountain has stayed untracked far longer than usual thanks to a complete lack of crowds across the 4 Vallees. Even now, days after the snowfall, there is still a lot of fantastic untouched terrain to be explored. I spent most of my time this week skiing off piste in the Les Attelas and Col de Mines area. The Attelas couloirs, such as No1 and Three Fingers, have been in excellent condition, with a healthy amount of snow to cover the rocks. On some of the steeper sections, there is some exposed rock, particularly where the surface snow has slid away.

The pistes are looking terrific at the moment, with the recent snowfall creating a very soft 3cm to 5cm layer of powder on top of the hard pack. I haven’t hit an icy patch all week anywhere on the mountain. Every run in resort is in great condition right now, but the best would have to be the red Gentianes Le Chaux leading down from the top of Mont Fort, and the Attlelas red run all the way down to the Mayentzet chairlift. While the latter is becoming a little bumpy later in the day, for the most part they are the best they’ve been all year, and provide a fantastic edge hold at higher speeds. The black FIS run is also in contention for piste of the week, with a consistent smooth surface and very few bumps. This is a run that is meant to be skied fast and hard, as it levels out nicely at the bottom, so a lot of speed can be carried down the run. The well-known itineraries such as Chassoure de Tortin and Col de Gentianes have been amazing this week, although now they are quite tracked out with very large moguls down the central line.

The recent fall of snow has taken the snowbase at resort level to 95cm, and up at the top of mountain at 2950m the base has now reached the 200cm mark, which is brilliant for this time of year. Furthermore, as February tends to be a snowy month, it’s highly likely we’ll see the snowbase increase even more. The more snow we can receive now, the longer it will take to melt away in the spring, so fingers crossed it keeps coming like it has been. The avalanche risk remains at 3/5 for now, so caution and the correct equipment should certainly be taken if venturing off into the wilder parts of Verbier. The snow forecast is looking very promising too, with up to 20cm estimated to fall tonight and tomorrow, briefly stopping into Saturday morning, and then a further 20cm again on Saturday night. Monday could be an epic day if the forecasts come true, as blue skies are currently predicted, meaning a sublime bluebird powder powder day could be on the cards again. Now is no doubt the perfect time to come out to Verbier, with the snow being excellent, the pistes virtually empty, and everyone in great spirits around resort.

Buy My Ski Pass

Follow more from Barnaby on Instagram & YouTube.

NB: Exploring beyond the ski resort boundaries is an amazing experience for anyone who's physically fit and has mastered the pistes well enough. There are, however, risks associated with venturing outside the safety of the marked/patrolled ski area, including awareness of your actions on those below you on the slopes. Mountain guides are professionally qualified and have extensive knowledge of the local terrain to provide you with the safest and most enjoyable possible experience in the mountains; as a visitor here we highly recommend you hiring one. Many ski schools also provide instruction in off-piste skiing, avalanche safety and mountaineering techniques. Make your time in the mountains unforgettable for the right reasons, ski safe!

Off-piste skiing and mountaineering are dangerous. The opinions expressed in these articles are very much time and condition-specific and the content is not intended in any way to be a substitute for hiring a mountain guide, undergoing professional mountaineering training and/or the individual's own backcountry decision making.