Skiing in Verbier in mid March 2012?

Hi -

I may have an opportunity to ski in Verbier (my first visit there) for 3 days (March 15-17) this year. I was lucky enough to ski the Jungfrau region in mid January earlier this year, and conditions were fantastic.

However, from what I can see of the weather forecast it looks like things are getting quite warm in Switzerland right now. I also know that there's a really good snow base built up, so I'm not worried about much melting between now and mid March. I'm more concerned about soft, mushy pistes by the time I visit.

Does anyone (especially Swiss residents or frequent skiers) have any thoughts about this? Is mid-March still a good time to visit, especially given how much snow you've had this year?

Thanks!

Robert

p.s. To save CHF, I plan on staying in Martigny and taking the train up each day. Does that seem like a good idea?

Mid March will be fine. I'd not worry about the temps, the snow base is plenty cold enough to survive, and you can ski higher up if the village slopes are too warm.

As for staying in Martigny, yes, you'll save money, but you won't get much skiing done unless you get up early, takes around an hour to get up to Verbier from the valley.

Stretch your budget to Le Chable, get the bubble up from there?

bandit wrote:Mid March will be fine. I'd not worry about the temps, the snow base is plenty cold enough to survive, and you can ski higher up if the village slopes are too warm.

As for staying in Martigny, yes, you'll save money, but you won't get much skiing done unless you get up early, takes around an hour to get up to Verbier from the valley.

Stretch your budget to Le Chable, get the bubble up from there?

Agree on all points here.
Verbs is a fantastic ski area, dont think about it, book it.
I'd avoid staying so far away, it will annoy you travelling each day and probably not save money in the long run either.
You want to be stopping in the thick of the action anyway.
There are some really good chalet deals to Verbs at the moment if you shop around.
Or consider Nendaz, Veysonnaz or Thyon as well as Le Chable.

Come back and tell us all about it.

The base is great so they will definitely be snow to ski on though I know that lower slopes can be destroyed by warm temperatures fairly fast. At the moment the temeratures are abnormally high and expected to remain such for about a week, but they will eventually drop back to average for this time of the year according to the weather man. And if you 're lucky maybe even some new snow arrives.

Client of mine just got back from Nendaz weekend before last and said conditions were as good as he has ever had out there. Fantastic snow, cold temps, all runs open and deserted. Ok its warmed up a bit now, but it sounds like the area has been treated to some amazing conditions this season.

Tony_H wrote:Client of mine just got back from Nendaz weekend before last and said conditions were as good as he has ever had out there. Fantastic snow, cold temps, all runs open and deserted. Ok its warmed up a bit now, but it sounds like the area has been treated to some amazing conditions this season.

During recent "Big Freeze" I had some of the best skiing ever with crowds being scared away by low temps - we were lapping Gentianes - Tortin run without any queues for the cable back to the top and hardly any serious bumps too, which is not surprising when for the entire run you see maybe 4-5 other skiers. It was definitely different this weekend, crowds are back, bumps are meter high, brown patches starting to show in some places and heavy slush that didn't even refreeze overnight. To top it off we made it to Mt Fort and it was hit by a cloud just as we got out from the cable car so there was some true survival skiing. Easier accessible off-piste is disappearing quickly, I didn't see a single person hiking up the Stairway and when we tried Rock Garden the snow was horrible and it felt like skiing on wet sponge. Totally not ready for this type of skiing yet. Base is good and definitely no grass showing in the middle of pistes like it was at the same time last season but lower down there were puddles. Fingers crossed conditions change soon. It warmed up but saying it warmed up 'a bit' will be an understatement:)

Hi All,

I am also in the 4 Valleys in a week's time (weekend of 17th March), staying near Thyon.

I definitely want to ski Verbier, but wonder whether it is better to Ski over from Thyon, or drive around. Any thoughts?

Also, any thoughts on good offpiste available nearer Thyon? Obviously given conditions currently, the warnings on safety etc will be well heeded!

thanks
geds.

Well, if you drive around it will take some time, but then you are not risking being stuck on the wrong side. But generally skiing across is a better option (mind you, last season it was a royal pain due to horrific conditions). As for off-piste nearer Thyon you'll see when you are there. I skied in the area during the big freeze and it was mostly tracked out and bumped up. With no snow worthy of mentioning and none expected I don't think it got any better. I also think that some slopes have already avalanched during couple realy warm weeks as there were many full-depth cracks. There is an itinerary from the top of Greppon Blanc to which you can get fairly easy from Thyon by taking some drag lifts. But it will be very bumpy. For more you better take a local guide. To be honest I don't think you'll be able to find any powder fields or good snow unless you are prepared to tour quite far afield or there will be some major change in weather.