For the avid blog followers, I thought I would remind you all that Performance provides top quality ski instructing as well as up-to-the-minure weather information. For the last week or so I have found myself skiing on Les Esserts (the beginners slope).

Below are Samuel, Olivia and Eleanor on their second day of skiing. I have to admit, they are doing very well. And thanks to Sanna for lobbing snowballs at during our hard work..! …T

So. I really didn’t have my eye on the ball when Caroline said that she wanted to do the Haute Route ski tour from Verbier to Zermatt.

I have done some ski touring in the past. I have also driven to Zermatt a couple of times and know how far away it is. So really what is the motivation of ‘a walk’ to Zermatt. Some say that is is the challenge, some say it is being off the beaten track, in the elements, away from everyone.

Well, the reality is that it’s just bloody hard work. It’s not walking it is walking uphill with skis, boots, rucksack, stuff in the rucksack etc etc. And just relentless walking..!

But I am committed now. I am doing it, on the 12th April. I am a geek, I am going to find a way of keeping you all updated on the progress. LIVE, somehow.

So today was the 1st day of training. (kind off). Who best to train me other than the faithful canine. Well, expectedly she is fitter, faster and far more apt than me and considering she is 49 in doggie years I am a little embarrassed.

Anyway, Medran – Ruinette in 1h 45m and still alive. Photo’s below of decent. Still not tired. Goddamit..!

Well, considering that we may have had the coldest season that I can remember, it’s now seriously warmed up. Now that may sound like the best thing since sliced bread but in actual fact it can be pretty bad. As soon as the weather warms up the top layer of snow starts to melt. This, in turn, makes the snow unstable and vulnerable to avalanche.

The south facing slopes are particularly susceptible. This is then compounded by rain (that would normally be snow) that has been falling up to 2500m today.

Regardless of your experience you should always be cautious when the weather warms up and it rains above 2000m. Always check the avalance danger on the local resort website or on the National Bulletin.

The picture below is from yesterday on the face if Creblet and Col des Mines. This is always susceptible to avalanches.

Every lift in Verbier was closed today other than the Rouge drag lift. Pretty bad day but the temperature is expected to fall a little over the next few day, so it should stabilise the snow a little. All is not lost

Toby

Well, it looks like we only really have a 5 weeks of the season left. Pretty sad really but that’s the way it goes. After a crazy month of work for all of us sadly we have lost Jenny and Maria (Mackan) to the lure of Svenska. Maria is back teaching men to fly planes and Jenny is off to prepare for the sausage season (don’t look too far into that). The rest of us are left to fend for ourselves. We wish them well, and will see them next season (or April if we’re lucky)

Andy (Snowboarder) is finally getting some work, good effort. Being skiers we sometimes forget that Andy exists – very sorry for that mate. But check out his blog on his snowboarding page. You probably won’t understand a word as he uses ridiculous jibber language (trying to stay young, no doubt…).

Meanwhile, good luck to Becky who’s one of our apprentices in the midst of her BASI level 2 ski instructor assessment. We all have the utmost confidence that she will smash it..! We need a 100% pass rate Becky, no pressure…!

I’m also starting to feel less guilty as my foot seems to be improving so I’ll soon be able to take the pressure off the others and do some real work. This Saturday I hope.

Not much gossip off the slope (that we can talk about anyway) but as it warms up and the sun stays out longer, there is plenty of mischief to be getting up to.

WATCH THIS SPACE.

…Toby

It has taken a couple of day for all of us to get over the controversy of leg 3 of the inter ski school bowling contest. But it mornings like this that can only put a smile on your face…! Toby

Well, it wasn’t quite perfect weather, but after skiing a good morning around La Chaux we ended next to Carrefour Restaurant for a bit of lunch. Eating fine food and sipping Krug with a celebrity chef. No points for guessing…!

Watch out for picture from the 3rd leg of the Powder Extreme v. Performance bowling contest. Currently standing at 1-1, thrilling stuff.

Toby