Yes, as part of our weekly piste report for verbier.com we elected Sophie as the next victim to audition in front of the camera. Now, she’s probably the most likely out of the team to end up doing children’s TV, so we had high hopes. And not entirely misplaced – notice the improvised Christmas references.

Meanwhile…

Kent also made his audition for a piste report:

Yes, finally starting to feel like winter. And despite the sun this morning the temperatures have definitely plunged. So much in fact they’ve had the snow cannons on up at Lac de Vaux for (we think) the first time this winter. I say winter, but it’s really only been Autumn so far…

To see if they’re on or off (they switch them off when the sun gets on them) you can check the webcams here. The Mont Fort webcam is particularly splendid.

But the really good news today is that the Norwegians say snow next week. And I trust the  mighty yr.no – almost as much as Kent does.

Anyway, this is what they say. You’ll notice there are lots of subzero temperatures, but if you can exepnd the energy scrolling down to the bottom, you’ll get cheered up.

Now, everyone, please cross your fingers and think happy thoughts…

 

I know, we normally run lots of stories with impressive pictures of snow and skiing around this time of year but don’t panic – it’s still very, very early and even in a good year the only area open is Lac des Vaux. Which stops being fun rather quickly. The real stuff only starts rolling in December.

Anyway, the good news is that there has been snow up there, too high for lac des Vaux but the view at sunset from the Mont Fort webcam was particularly epic. And here are a couple of snaps to whet your whistle and prove that it’s always snowing somewhere…

 

Yes, it looks like we haven’t got any skiing in store this weekend as there’s not enough snow at the top, but we are forecast some this weekend and there are all sorts of swirling menacing things somewhere over the Atlantic and they should be heading our way soonish. Hopefully a lot and soon.

But what we do have is a list of the lift opening times for this season, which is rather handy. And it takes our minds off the fact we’re not going to be skiing this weekend…

I know – I was a little surprised, but I was sitting in my flat watching the snow fall and I heard cow bells. And I thought “Guy, why are there cows still coming off the mountain – they were supposed to come down two weeks ago.”

And I couldn’t really answer so had a look and there was a police car escorting a herd of cows down the road with a few farmers who clearly never read the weather reports. I mean the farmers hadn’t read the weather reports – not the cows. (Anyway, feel free to comment below if you have any views on this questionable piece of animal husbandry.)

But it is snowing in Verbier. There was about 15cm on the cars up at Les Essertes this morning. It’s brilliant isn’t it? I am going to celebrate by going to the Comptoir in Martigny.

 

 

Well, confession time. Olly emailed me a load of photos of snow in New Zealand in July and somehow I failed to bring you and his artistic efforts together.

So sorry Olly.

But not too sorry for failing to share photos of you and your new passion – crown green bowls. Not exactly Rock and Roll.

The good news in Verbier is that the weather looks set to turn and we should be getting snow on (depending on who you listen to) Thursday night, Friday or Saturday.

Needless to say we’ll keep you posted… You can follow us here on the blog, on twitter, or click ‘like’ on our facebook page and follow it all there….