Tag Archives: Val d’Aoste

Opportunities present in a dry December

The driest December in this area since measurements began in 1864 created new challenges for a mountain guide like myself. I could have behaved like Chicken Little and believed the end was near, or rather taken advantage of those conditions. The foehn episode that dried the northern Alps in November, coated the southern Alps with a lovely layer of fresh powder. Living close to that main divide here in Verbier, my clients and I profited from the situation, ski touring and heliskiing in the south, and hiking and climbing in the north.

For those who enjoy being outside no matter the weather and conditions, I’ve found it so rewarding to share these mini adventures with you. Thank you! The following 20 pictures show some of our days together on skis, skins and foot, enjoying what mother nature provides.

Italian Powdah!

We went south to sample some of the Italian stuff. And it was really nice to be there. Though it was cold on the upper slopes, maybe -30 with wind chill, the skiing was fine. We had an entire valley to ourselves, room enough to lay down some fresh tracks…


The back of Mt.Fort was supreme the day before. It was good fun laying first tracks in these lift access couloirs. I took no camera, as it looked to be a white-out day. But the sun shone for a few hours, in time for us to ski another untracked couloir and bowl back to Verbier.

Pierre-Alain Luisier promised me it will not be this cold and snowy again over Easter for the next 25 years! The forecast is calling for variable weather for the next few days, with sun in the afternoons and warmer weather from Friday…