Chocolate Freeride Off-Piste Reports

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

Current conditions

Tuesday was a crystal clear sunny day . We skied wind compressed snow that was about 10cm deep. The mid-mountain north facing slopes were in the best shape. Although it was a great morning of off-piste skiing, there were wind slabs breaking off so we were very cautious. Below 1800m the skiing was treacherous due to the rain that had created a solid crust.

SLF says: "The westerly to southerly winds were light to moderate. The midday temperature at 2000 m was about minus 2 degrees. As the temperature dropped, the bonding of the snowpack improved at intermediate altitudes. The various layers of the snow drift accumulations that have formed in recent days are still prone to triggering in some places. The weak layers in the old snowpack remain treacherous, especially in areas with shallow snow cover and on slopes where little snow sport activity has taken place until the start of the year."

Snow Depth:

Ø 1500m - 20 cm

Ø 2200m - 116 cm

Ø 2950m - 115 cm

Off-piste Travel Conditions:

The avalanche rating is set at 3 so it is still advised to avoid skiing in areas that haven't been skied very much this year. The statement below is particularly true in Verbier...

"The avalanche prone locations are to be found, in particular, on west to north to south facing aspects above approximately 2000 m. On the northern flank of the Alps and in Valais and northern Ticino, they are to be found on steep slopes..." says SLF.com

Forecast:

Thursday should be mostly sunny with a consistent westerly wind. Warming up slightly, the freezing level will rise to about 2000 m. Friday it will snow a little down to 1600m. The avalanche danger will decrease slowly as the week unfolds.

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