Mardi Gras at minus 10

13/02/2012



Like many places throughout Europe, Sion and the surrounding area is preparing for carnival. Traditionally renowned for late night revelry and outragous home made costumes, this year will need to carry a public health warning. The reason for that is simply that the mercury has failed to hit a positive number anytime within the last four weeks. That has been fantastic for maintaining the ski pistes and the whole festive feeling, but not recommended for toga wearing at midnight. There will not be too many brass monkeys venturing out during carnival for fear of losing their prized assets, but as long as you wrap up warm the family jewels should remain intact. Alternatively, if you are a teenaged girl from Newcastle, it will probably feel warmer that your average Friday night out.

If you are anywhere near Sion next Saturday, the procession kicks off at 1500. It will provide enough drumming to leave your ears ringing til midnight and you will still be picking confetti out of your clothes at easter. 



The best season in six years!

29/01/2012



The 2009 winter season at the time seemed to be just about as good as it could get, but 2012 is even better.  The record snow falls of late December have been added to on an almost weekly basis throughout January. There was a good dump of snow last Tuesday, which was further improved by intermittent snowfall all weekend. All this means that there is plentiful powder in all the resorts surrounding the Swiss Vista apartment.

For the non-skiers amongst us the extra snowfall has just added to the overall ambiance of the area. The snow shoe trails through the alpine forests are other worldly with masses of snow clinging to every tree. The cross country skiing areas and all the various sledge runs are fully open, so there is something going on for everyone to enjoy.