Looking down on Sion LSGS this evening, I couldn’t held but think how this was a time I was glad to drinking vino at 5,000ft rather than flying. The valley had become completely filled in by a passing TS, rendering no real exit routes. I’m uncertain of the MEL of the Simplon end of the valley but I suspect really rather high and only possible with a turbocharger. Some airports need careful consideration – possibly this one in particular. TS had been forecast for 3 days but nothing came till tonight (this far down valley anyhow).
I would be very happy to see that runway if I were flying toward that weather.
On the ground its a long way along the valley from the bottom of the Nufenen Pass to Martigny, but with spectacular passes at each end. Its the ‘valley of a thousand traffic circles’… 
I sure enjoyed the photo!
