Hans Solmssen Alpine Guide

Four Weeks of Wildness

Hans Solmssen — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:25:21 +0000

The weather has been wild for four weeks now, providing me with challenging route choices. I have been skiing hut to hut for most of this period, reserving and canceling huts to take us to what I hoped would be the ideal area. I’ve been twice back to the Italian Paradiso and across the Haute [...]

Another day

Hans Solmssen — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:20:19 +0000

Yesterday, was another fine day in the mountains, shared with fine folks who appreciate what these hills have to offer. Looking at the weather forecast these past few days, drove me to believe the worst. We flew to the Petit Combin from the cow turd fields of Le Chable in milky light, forecasted to get [...]

Spring Powder

Hans Solmssen — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:59:34 +0000

Just when you get psyched for the spring corn snow cycle, winter hits back. No need to make a plan for today: just go downhill. What fun enjoying the side country of Verbier!

Powder Hound

Hans Solmssen — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:16:08 +0000

It’s been quite some time since we’ve had fresh snow. Not that I’m complaining. It’s certainly been one of the best winters in the 30 years I’ve been skiing and climbing in this Valley of Bagnes. But it does create new challenges! I’ve been traveling to neighboring valleys in search of fun, soft snow, and [...]

Winter Wakeup

Hans Solmssen — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:55:27 +0000

You know what’s it’s like, when something happens, or you’re with someone and you kind of… wakeup? How long have we been skiing choice powder in these valleys around Verbier? Non-stop now, day after days, blending into one winter day, not enough time or energy left, at the end of the day, to post about [...]

What a Winter

Hans Solmssen — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 15:35:04 +0000

So much skiing and so little time to write about it. What a winter it’s been so far. The people I have been skiing with have been so open to so much adventure in such amazing and changing conditions. Chris was so stoked to ski glacial powder in -17C. Alex and I got back up [...]

Winter Starts in Verbier

Hans Solmssen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:25:12 +0000

For me, yesterday was the first real day of Verbier side country. The lifts opened to Ruinettes at 9:45. It was a classic day, so similar to those years when it dumped all of December and January, and Ruinettes was the only thing open. Lots of local folks up there wearing smiles ear to ear. [...]

Ski Touring/Avalanche Awareness Sessions

Hans Solmssen — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:49:23 +0000

Verbier opened one month ago for skiing, but is now open for the powder skiing we know and love! With the additional 1.5 meters of snow that has fallen over the past few days, we can now enjoy winter as winter can be enjoyed. We have done some lovely ski tours these past 2 weeks at [...]

Snowy at altitude

Hans Solmssen — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:35:22 +0000

A string of storms and changing temperatures has created a compact base for the coming season. 40cms of snow lie above 2300 meters here in Verbier, and the week’s forecast calls for mild temperatures in these hills. That will melt all the lower elevations… We escaped the valley fog today, enjoying the intensity and heat [...]

Verbier Opens for skiing

Hans Solmssen — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 17:41:18 +0000

Televerbier opened the lifts to Attelas yesterday, November 2. There were lots of skiers out and about. What a novelty to ski on packed snow! I opted instead for a wander up to Gentianes today. It was super warm with 4C at 2000m. I needed only a short sleeved shirt to get me above the [...]