Update from Verbier

3.2.12: Arrived La Tzoumaz Yesterday and skiied Savoleyres-Tzoumaz today. Tons of snow with good piste conditions. Temp at Savoleyres was -16C lunchtime. Hazy sun but rolling clouds over the area reducing visibility in patches. Fairly quiet, but more people in afternoon. Predicted to hit -22C tomorrow. Most of the day's skiing was good with exception of a couple of times when cloud rolled in.

If you're coming next week, definitely bring the long johns, and cold weather layers and a balaclava. Local ski shops have balaclavas for about 25-30 CHF and they make a big difference. I had 5 layers on (including jacket) and still felt cold.

Main roads are fine but you may have trouble getting to chalets without snowchains (and even with them). Slush turns to ice at night under these low temperatures.

I'll post some photos after a few days.

Also a substantial avalanche has closed-off the run between Savoleyres and Carrefour and authorities are worried it may move again. Not clear when they expect to have it open again.

msej449 wrote:3.2.12: Arrived La Tzoumaz Yesterday and skiied Savoleyres-Tzoumaz today. Tons of snow with good piste conditions. Temp at Savoleyres was -16C lunchtime. Hazy sun but rolling clouds over the area reducing visibility in patches. Fairly quiet, but more people in afternoon. Predicted to hit -22C tomorrow. Most of the day's skiing was good with exception of a couple of times when cloud rolled in.

If you're coming next week, definitely bring the long johns, and cold weather layers and a balaclava. Local ski shops have balaclavas for about 25-30 CHF and they make a big difference.

Main roads are fine but you may have trouble getting to chalets without snowchains (and even with them). Slush turns to ice at night under these low temperatures.

I'll post some photos after a few days.

Sounds perfect. Enjoy

Top man ...Enjoy

Nice one!

I didn't brave the elements today, I was too cold by the time I got to the bottom of the driveway.

I did some housework! :shock:

There's something special about being warm and cosy indoors when there are extreme weather conditiond outside...It's below -20 here.

snowb4ndit wrote:

I didn't brave the elements today, I was too cold by the time I got to the bottom of the driveway.

Oh the joys of doing a season.
Me, I dont care what the temp is when I am skiing.
Guess you are in a position to pick and choose though

Tony_H wrote:

snowb4ndit wrote:

I didn't brave the elements today, I was too cold by the time I got to the bottom of the driveway.

Oh the joys of doing a season.
Me, I dont care what the temp is when I am skiing.
Guess you are in a position to pick and choose though

Well I do like to make the most of my days off usually, but I have had the last five days off and we've skied everyday off piste all the way and in very deep powder. It's the first time in two years that I have ached (from head to toe) and the cold weather was a good excuse for taking it easy today.

4/2/12: A literally stunning -19C at Savoleyres this morning:



But very quiet pistes(I wonder why?):



It improved to a slightly warmer -13 by the afternoon and was hazy sun all day. Skiing conditions were very good, powder everywhere and very smooth runs.

Later in the afternoon, we saw these two nutters going up Pierre Avoi (note the slab avalanche to their left).



The avalanche that closed the Savoleyres-Carrfour ski run was also cleared, so off to try the new Mayentzet lift tomorrow .....

Finally, for those travelling by train, Geneva and Valais trains have been affected by the temperatures and there have been many cancellations in the last few days.

And even with seven layers it was still cold, especially on chairlifts.