Chocolate Freeride Off-Piste Report

It snowed today, so we skied the trees hunting for pockets of untouched pow. Tomorrow will be Sunny with a coat of 10 to 15 covering everything.

Avalanche Danger Scale
High Alpine	3 –Considerable
Mid mountain	3 –Considerable
Treeline	2 –Moderate

Current conditions

“Tuesday was very cloudy and it snowed. Since Monday night, the following amounts of snow have fallen: northern flank of the Eastern and Central Swiss Alps 20 to 30 cm or even more in some localities; northern flank of the Western Swiss Alps, Valais, the Gotthard region and from Surselva and northern Grisons to Samnaun 10 to 20 cm; in the remaining regions less than 10 cm. Midday temperatures at 2000 m were about minus 5 degrees in the north and 0 degrees in Ticino. The wind was strong, [with powerful gusts coming] from the northwest.” slf.ch
“In many places the conditions gave rise to fresh snow drift accumulations that are prone to triggering. The still loosely bonded old snow in particular was transported on the southern flank of the Alps and in Upper Engadine, and the fresh snow in particular in the north. The snowpack is weak especially in southern Upper Valais, northern and central Grisons, Engadine and Münstertal.” ‘…avalanches can be released in deeper layers of the snowpack.” slf.ch

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 25 cm

Ø 2200m - 129 cm

Ø 2950m - 115 cm

Snow Conditions:

Snow conditions are variable because the wind has been blowing a lot of snow around. There is more snow mid-mountain. Up high it’s been buffed clean in some areas. As you approach the treeline it gets better and better. Especially, where the sun hasn’t affected the snow too much.

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The Avalanche danger is still at 3 but in areas that have been skied and where the slope is less than 45 degrees it is reasonably safe.

Forecast:

“On Tuesday night the weather will clear. Wednesday will be mostly sunny. Midday temperatures at 2000 m will be about 0 degrees in the west and minus 4 degrees in the east. The northerly wind will ease to light to moderate in the morning.
Further snow drift accumulations that are prone to triggering will form during the night.”

“On Thursday the weather will be mostly sunny and mild. On Thursday night some snow will fall in the north. Friday will be increasingly sunny again in the north and mostly sunny in the south. In the north and south, the avalanche danger will decrease slowly. In the inneralpine regions it will not change significantly.” Slf.ch

Condition Key

Extreme: Wide spread areas of unstable snow exist and avalanches are certain on some slopes. Backcountry travel should be avoided.

High: Mostly unstable snow exists on a variety of aspects and slope angles. Natural avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Considerable: Dangerous unstable slabs exist on steep terrain on certain aspects. Human triggered avalanches probable. Natural avalanches possible.

Moderate: Areas of unstable snow exist. Human triggered avalanches are possible. Larger triggers may be necessary as the snowpack becomes more stable. Use caution.

Low: Mostly stable snow exists. Avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets.

Important Notice:
Snowpack formation and stability will vary as you travel throughout the mountains. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the backcountry traveler to be self-sufficient in being able to perform self-rescue should you, the traveler, be involved in an accident. Also, backcountry travelers are responsible for obtaining their own information concerning current weather conditions, snow, winds, snowfall, etc. and are responsible for educating themselves to the best possible awareness level.

Useful links

www.slf.ch

www.televerbier.ch