Verbier calls off planned weekend ski-lift opening
Operators at Verbier have dashed hopes of opening slopes at the Valais ski resort on Saturday because of bad weather.
Earlier this week, Téléverbier had promised via Facebook to open lifts for the one day in light of the plentiful snow, although it said this would only happen if weather permitted.
The company issued a statement on the Verbier Sport Plus page of the social media website on Thursday announcing the cancellation of the plans.
“Disappointment: bad weather, no opening Saturday,” the message said in French.
The operators said they had waited for the latest moment before making the decision, based on forecasts from MeteoSwiss, the national weather office, and Météonews, another weather service.
Both services predict grey skies and rain at lower levels of the mountain area on Saturday.
More snow is expected at higher levels but the conditions are not seen as worthwhile for operating the lifts.
Meteo Swiss has issued a severe weather warning for Friday and Saturday for areas north of the Alps and in the eastern part of the country.
Heavy rain could pose flooding problems in some regions.
Verbier officially closed for the season on April 28th but the resort, along with other areas of the Swiss Alps, have received plenty of snow since, following a spring with more precipitation than usual.
There are other options for diehard skiers in the canton of Valais, including the Theodul glacier above Zermatt, which is served by lifts.
However, according to the schedule on Zermatt’s website, you have to wait until June 5th before the summer skiing session starts.
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Earlier this week, Téléverbier had promised via Facebook to open lifts for the one day in light of the plentiful snow, although it said this would only happen if weather permitted.
The company issued a statement on the Verbier Sport Plus page of the social media website on Thursday announcing the cancellation of the plans.
“Disappointment: bad weather, no opening Saturday,” the message said in French.
The operators said they had waited for the latest moment before making the decision, based on forecasts from MeteoSwiss, the national weather office, and Météonews, another weather service.
Both services predict grey skies and rain at lower levels of the mountain area on Saturday.
More snow is expected at higher levels but the conditions are not seen as worthwhile for operating the lifts.
Meteo Swiss has issued a severe weather warning for Friday and Saturday for areas north of the Alps and in the eastern part of the country.
Heavy rain could pose flooding problems in some regions.
Verbier officially closed for the season on April 28th but the resort, along with other areas of the Swiss Alps, have received plenty of snow since, following a spring with more precipitation than usual.
There are other options for diehard skiers in the canton of Valais, including the Theodul glacier above Zermatt, which is served by lifts.
However, according to the schedule on Zermatt’s website, you have to wait until June 5th before the summer skiing session starts.
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