This month Téléverbier published an update on the lift projects for the coming years. We all know that the Bruson lift project has started and will be ready for December 2013. There will also be more snow cannons on Le Rouge and Savoleyres areas. Although there is no real date for the replacement of the ageing Savoleyres lift they say the following

COMBIMIX LES ESSERTS – LES PLANARDS – SAVOLEYRES

The proposed new facility for serving Savoleyres was submitted to the Federal Office of Transport for approval.

Given the complexity of the case, it is difficult to estimate the duration of the procedure. We hope that this groundbreaking lift, comprising a first section served by cabs and a second mixing section cabins and seats can be built in 2014.

We look forward already to be able to unite our main skiing areas.

Lets hope this is true..!

Toby

Yes, having battled man-flu Guy was able to drag himself into the sunshine to tell you what it’s like up in Verbier.

And frankly it’s rather good – nice slushy spring snow with a few wet slides in the afternoon on the south facing slopes that have meant the Route de Carrefour has had to shut as few times.

You’ll also notice a bit of GoPro footage after we won a camera in the CK Verbier Christmas Advent Calendar competition. And CK Helen makes her farewell appearance as she’s off to Blighty on Friday and – get this – genuinely wanted to be in one of our weather reports before she left. Funny girl.

Anyway, that’s her falling over near the end.

And yes, the mic is a bit dodgy. Sorry about that.

 

I had to take a trip back to England this weekend. And to may amazement I woke up to this scene this morning. It’s just everywhere…!

I know, it takes a while to get to Bruson. It’s not like hopping over to Savoleyres. But when you do it’s brilliant – like you’re in a tiny resort miles from anywhere and the crowds and queues you get in Verbier are very quickly forgotton.

And it’s especially useful when Verbier close because of too much snow or high winds. Which is precisely why happened yesterday and how we ended up there…

Meanwhile the snow is falling heavily again and I get the feeling tomorrow might be very interesting – loads of snow but probably a lot of wind and not a lot open.

Last week Martin hosted a bumps clinic for some of the resort staff. Braving tropical heat we all headed up to the slushy bumps of La Chaux.

Here are the highlights…T

Yup, it’s spring. And yes it’s not freezing. And snow falls are a distant memory. But does this mean we can’t go skiing? Hell no. Because spring skiing is arguably the best time of year – it’s too icy to bother getting up early, it’s great midday-ish, and by mid-afternoon we can all knock it on the head and get the lift down.

Beyond that, we all know (if you’ve done enough seasons) that just when you switch off and start wearing flip flops, then the weather turns and it throws down a few feet of snow. So let’s enjoy the sun and wait for winter to make a last minute cheeky appearance…

(PS is you read that there’s no snow in the Alpes, take it with a pinch of salt – yes, below 2000m it’s a bit iffy, and south facing resorts are in trouble, but nice high north facing resorts like, oh, I don’t know, Verbier, are holing up rather well).