It’s been a little topsy-turvy in Verbier the past couple of weeks. The euphoria of the heavy snow back on the 24th and 25th of October was followed by whispers from TeleVerbier that we’d open on the 30th of October.

But the sun came out and it all went up in smoke. So back to the normal opening date of the first weekend in November? Not quite.

The official line was it would all be fine for the scheduled opening and the Wednesday before opening powers-that-be confidently announced announced that we would open on time.

However, in the T-Bar last night there were a few guys who work on the snow cannons claiming that the Foehn wind blowing in that night meant snow couldn’t be manufactured and the existing snow was receding. Fast.

So on the Thursday the lift company changed their line and explained that due to the massive change in the weather Verbier’s opening weekend has been cancelled. Which means disappointment two weeks on the bounce.

But it doesn’t end there. Never does….

After the snow / sun / Foehn came snow again this weekend and on Sunday we were getting excited. Again. But the sun came out and the snow line shot up to Ruinettes again.

Then it snowed. And got cold. And right now it’s not impossible (but by no means certain) that Saturday the 13th will be lucky for some.

But don’t hold your breath…

Is that it?

Well, not according to Felix. Because everybody’s favourite Canadian has – at some length – explained to me that due to the amount of fresh water entering the seas from melting snow caps, the Gulf Stream and the ocean conveyor belt will run slower, bringing less warm weather up to us and creating the coldest winter “for like thousands of years”.

Well, Felix knows his stuff and who am I to argue with him. After all, I was the one banging on about opening resort in October and look where that got me…

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Yup, as predicted by a few people in resort, the cannons are kicking out snow up at Lac des Vaux.

Now, they’re not ‘working’ they’re merely being ‘tested’. That’s because they aren’t allowed to start the cannons to make snow for skiing until the end of the month, but testing’s fine. It’s a very blurred line isn’t it?

Whatever the rules, they’ve got them on and Mike says it’s not impossible that the resort will open a week earlier than scheduled, although they have a lot of work to do to get the lift refitting done in time… So a big task if TeleVerbier really want to do it…

The time had to come eventually. Kent has decided that he will accompany me to the Ski Show this week. I am not sure if I should be scared or grateful. I mean I could use the help, there is only one of me and a whole load of people to talk to (business..!!). But considering that he hasn’t set foot in the UK for a number of years I am a little concerned that he may have something else on his mind.

Well, we’ll soon find out. What this space for photos and comments…! It should be fun…T

Once again the intrepid Mike is up early and has sent these pictures of first light up the mountain. Looking absolutely stunning up there – probably worth Mike getting up so early…

Meanwhile, rumours of early opening are racing around town. We’ll bring you more on them later in the week once we can get a few things corroborated. In the meantime, enjoy the view.

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And some more of the same…

Clouds have cleared and you’d swear it was already winter…

Slightly ironic that the weekend before the Ski Show in London next week, that we should get some snow in town. Could this be an omen for a good season to come? Who knows.

What I do know is that Laika will love it, as soon as I am released from the kitchen I am out for a walk. MORE PLEASE…..T

Well, as an homage to Kermit we’ve rebranded our site to celebrate all things green. So have a nose about the site (and please tell us if you find anything that’s not working – we”ll fix it (and blame Guy) and enjoy.

And should you read anything into this? Well, only that we like green. And Kermit.

Oh, and there’s more to come, some do check back – we’ve got plans…