VERBIER 17/12/2011

hi, we are thinking of skiing in verbier on 17th December. Is it too early, there is no snow there at all at the moment. Does anyone know the resort well and if it is likely to have much snow by then. Some advice would be really appreciated. We are experienced skiers and like to have plenty of range for a weeks skiing but have never skied this early before.
Thanks

I have a colleague going out to our apartment in La Tzoumaz that week with his school-age children - apparently this is a rare year when the school term ends on 16th. So expect more people around. Last year, we skiied the weekend of 28-29 November, but only Lac de Vaux and above Ruinettes were pisted and open. However, that was an exceptional year for early snowfall. Conversely, with not a lot of snowfalls after Christmas, some of the best skiing was in December. So to answer your question, if you're based in Verbier, there should be something to ski on, but how good it will be and how much piste will be open is down to the usual weather uncertainties. Back in 2004 (I think) we cancelled a trip out in February because at temperatures of 18C at 1500m the conditions were terrible. So you never know.

Hi Alison, welcome to J2Ski...

Verbier's almost always good by mid-December and their planned opening is late November.

An awful lot of snow can fall in seven weeks, so don't worry.

Hi Alison,

I've skied Verbier the last 3 years for a week from around December 10 and we have always had great snow. It's true that only about 1/3 of the area is officially open at that time but if you also like to ski off-piste, you can ski runs lower down that are normally pisted but at that time offer lots of great variables. Regardless, Verbier is big and you'll still find lots of variety especially if you are experienced as you've indicated. A great way to get the most out of Verbier is book a ski coach with a Swiss patente because they're legally able to take you all over the resort but particularly into areas a regular ski coach can't.
Check out European Snowsport - a group of us organised some days out with one of their guys last year and it was fantastic.
I love Verbier and hope you will too. Enjoy!