Well not quite tumbleweed but you get the picture.

The crowds have gone.  There was an exodus of biblical proportions as all the cars and coaches headed out of Verbier last weekend.

Many Swiss schools don’t go back until the end of the week and there are still some Italians around as they too are still on holiday, but the bulk of the English visitors have gone.

For us living and working out here it’s time to re-charge the batteries and take stock.

It was busy here in Verbier over Christmas and New Year, but there were still vacancies and all businesses are talking about what the rest of the winter has in store as the credit crunch continues to bite and the exchange rate tumbles.

Rumours abound.

One of Verbier’s biggest chalet companies is apparently sending staff home and closing some of its chalets, as bookings are not coming through.

One of the most established companies still has not sold its main catered chalet over the half term period.  Ski schools are offering special discounted deals on lessons and actively searching for business as people cut back.

I’m continually being asked by people how to save money, where to eat cheaply and listening to people bemoaning the weak pound.

People though will come and some of the people I have been teaching over the past few weeks have been spending money like it was going out of fashion.

The real test for the ski industry is probably going to be next year as prices will go up significantly if the pound remains weak as many the deals will be done in the next few months at the current exchange rate.

But the upside is that the slopes are empty.  Gone are the long queues and crowded pistes.  And me?

Well the teaching has dried up a bit so I’m off to learn French and have just signed up for French classes with the Verbier Language School.

I’ve been promising to do it for years but never quite got round to it and the pull of the après ski always won.

This winter is going to be different though and I’m going back to school.  I’ll let you know how I get on.

Au revoir.

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