Avalanche Course

We had a fun day in the snow Saturday. A snow pit analysis on the slopes of Mt.Gele revealed lots of facets under the Sahara sand from the foehn event before this last snow fall. We skied some powder lines on soft grass, and even dipped into the lovely Vallon D’Arbi. As the sun set, we buried a few transceivers, highlighting the difficulties of searching and skiing in the dark!

It is raining now in Verbier, snowing from 2200 meters (Ruinettes). The forcast calls for colder temperatures tonight, then snow to the valley floors tomorrow. It does not look like we will get much fresh, but this rain may be a good thing for us, creating a real solid base for the coming winter. Wednesday could be a superb day for skiing, before the next front moves in Wednesday evening.

Sunset skin over Col des Mines

Sunset skin over Col des Mines

This entry was posted in Off Piste Skiing and tagged , on by .

About Hans Solmssen

I am a professional mountain guide living in Verbier, Switzerland. I grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii after my father moved to Hawaii to teach at Hawaii Preparatory Academy. He created a horse program at this high school, located in the middle of the largest, privately owned cattle ranch in the US. Horses were a major part of my life, even playing polo for a few years. I moved to northern Vermont to go to school, and discovered skiing. Little did I know, this would become my life's passion: guiding friends and clients over the mountains around the world on skis and foot. I moved to Verbier, Switzerland in 1982, and entered the Swiss guide's program in '88. I received my UIAGM "pin" 3 years later in 1991. I have two kids, Anya and Kevin.

1 thought on “Avalanche Course

  1. Lauren

    Thanks for showing us around your backyard Hans! Learnt a lot and got to experience a small part of Verbier just for ourselves. Skiing through the fading light down towards the village was certainly unique – although I was sure you had overnight snow caves in mind at one point! Thanks again for a great and memorable day.

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