news from the slopes 2008-09

Latest news:

Generally favourable as summer arrives (1 June ’09)

At high altitude there are good skiing conditions and a stable avalanche situation.  The SLF has issued its last avalanche bulleting for the 2008-09 season, and will only issue warnings when there is a significant change in conditions or heavy snowfall down to the treeline.

40cm fresh snow at Monchjoch (28 May ’09)

A storm cycle to the north of the Alps brings strong winds and 40cm of fresh snow to the high Oberland.  In the Mont Blanc Range conditions are quite 'dry', the Valais has good spring snow at high altitude with some extreme descents in good condition.  Saas Fee has plenty of snow and conditions on the 4000m peaks are excellent. 

Good conditions at high altitude (20 May ’09)

On level ground at 2500m there is still more than 2m of snow in central Switzerland and many parts of the Oberland and Valais, in other areas there is still more than 1m of snow at 2500m widespread.  The conditions for touring are excellent in the morning with an increase in avalanche hazard due to daytime warming.

Excellent conditions on the HLR (6 May ’09)

A week with some challenging weather and interesting snow, but ending with excellent conditions at high altitude and for the descent to Furi at the end of the High Level Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. 

May start with sun and receding avalanche risk (1 May ’09)

After a week of storms and high avalanche hazard, the sun returns and conditions start to stabilize again.

More unexpected heavy snow (27 Apr ’09)

The Western Alps was hit by another heavy snowfall which had not been fully anticipated.  The avalanche forecast for the Mont Blanc Range was category 2, whereas in adjacent areas in Switzerland category 4 was correctly predicted.

Return to spring snow with strong Foehn winds (26 Apr ’09)

The heavy recent snow has transformed quickly, however, strong Foenhn winds have moved a lot of snow on the south side of the Alps and raised temperatures on the north side. 

An unexpected 60m of snow in Saas Fee (19 Apr ’09)

What was forecast as a small amount of snow from a southerly storm resulted in 60cm of fresh snow at 3000m in Saas Fee.  At higher altitudes the new snow was more than 1m.  Not ideal conditions for skiing 4000m peaks in the Saas Fee area, and resulting in a change of plan to the Oberland.

Fresh snow and milder conditions (16 Apr ’09)

Unstable weather and warm conditions have led to increased avalanche danger, especially on the south side of the Alps.

Great weather and stable conditions for Easter (10 Apr ’09)

Widespread good weather and stable conditions have made for a busy Easter period.

Good spring snow on southeast facing slopes (2 Apr ’09)

The recent snow has transformed in many places and there is good spring snow at altitude on southeast facing slopes.  In the northern and western Alps the snowline is down to around 800m on north facing slopes and 1100m on south facing.  The avalanche hazard is slowly declining, but increasing in the afternoons especially on sun exposed slopes.

Clear skies for high level routes (31 Mar ’09)

After a few days of clouds, strong winds and precipitation the skies clear and excellent touring at high-altitude is restored.  The avalanche hazard is considerable with great care needed in respect of the wind accumulations.

Back to powder (29 Mar ’09)

In the Vaudoise Alps the recent snowy weather has restored powder conditions and fresh snow below 1000m.

40-70cm of fresh snow in 3 days (26 Mar ’09)

Three days of precipitation has brought 40-70cm of fresh snow to the Vaudoise Alps.  For the time being the high level routes are out of condition, but there is great powder skiing at low altitude.  Currently, this region has twice as much snow as the 10 year seasonal average, with all of Switzerland having more than 170% the seasonal average.  More snow is forecast for the weekend, and sunny weather for next week.

Wild' West Oberland in excellent condition (20 Mar ’09)

With good snow cover to low altitude, stable conditions, and fine weather the western Oberland high level route from the Col du Pillon to Kandersteg is in excellent condition.  A significant drop in temperatures at the end of the week has greatly reduced the risk of wet snow avalanches at low altitude, and made the descent to Kandersteg a reasonable undertaking.

Excellent conditions for the spring  touring season (15 Mar ’09)

With the snow line down to below 1000m, spring snow on south facing aspects, powder on north facing, and a high pressure system forecast to remain over Switzerland for a week, it is a perfect time to ski the 'Wild' West high level route...

More snow (in the Cairngorms as well) (8 Mar ’09)

More fresh snow in the western Alps, and also in the Cairngorms with a group of young leaders in the Hunter Foundation.

Temperatures drop, more snow (3 Mar ’09)

With colder temperatures arriving, the current precipitation has resulted in fresh snow down to 700m.

February ends with a touch of spring (28 Feb ’09)

Temperatures have risen as February comes to an end (although colder weather with more snow is forecast).  The snow cover is excellent at low-altitude and there is a distinct feeling of spring in the air.

Blue skies and no wind (25 Feb ’09)

After a period of more snow and windy conditions the skies have cleared and the wind has dropped.  After a couple of days in a white-out, a group of Global Leadership Fellows at the World Economic Forum can now enjoy the view at Gemmipass.

Avalanche risk considerable and high (20 Feb ’09)

Additional snow, cloudy conditions and widespread considerable avalanche risk has made tours at medium and high altitude very serious.  meanwhile, at lower elevations the snow cover and quality is excellent for a group of faculty from Leysin American School underaking advanced avalanche training.

Another 54cm in Leysin (18 Feb ’09)

The snowfall continues with another 54cm of powder arriving in Leysin.  Temperatures remain low (-9°c at 2000m) and the skiing is excellent at low altitude.

Leysin has category 4 (11 Feb ’09)

The heavy snowfall of the past few days has resulted in a high avalanche risk (category 4) in the western Alps.  Humidity at the start of the storm and very strong winds have created crusts and slabs, and snowdrift accumulations on lee slopes are very large.  There are many large natural releases, and avalanche control work near transportation routes is underway.  Considerable experience and great care is needed to select routes and objectives that are safe from the current avalanche hazards.

Heavy snow arrives (7 Feb '09)

It is like winter starting again with heavy snowfall down to the Rhone Valley.  The avalanche risk has increased significantly and exposed parts of transport routes are at risk.

Foehn continues (4 Feb '09)

Since Sunday, 40-60 cm of snow has fallen in southern Switzerland, and 20-40cm in central Switzerland.  In the west and north, the forecast keeps predicting preciptation, but the foehn winds have kept the snow away, while creating new wind slab dangers.

Strong winds and snow, good powder low down (1 Feb '09)

February has stated with overcast conditions, some light snow flurries, and some strong localized foehn winds.  A deepening depression over the UK is pulling the polar interface northwards.  Despite the foehn winds temperatures are remaining low on the north side of the Alps, and there are good powder conditions on north facing slopes at low altitude.

Avalanche hazard continues to be treacherous (28 Jan '09)

With recent windblown snow stabilizing very slowly, and very varied stability over small areas in the snowpack, the avalanche hazard continues to be treacherous.  Great care is needed in the transition zones between ridges and bowls.  Also, in wind protected shady areas around the tree line the snowpack is loosely packed and can result in a full depth failure.

High avalanche danger for the Eagle Ski Club (24 Jan '09)

A vigorous depression and associated fronts have brought 20-40cm of fresh snow to western Switzerland and high avalanche hazard.  The warm initial part of the storm loosened the bonds in the snowpack at low altitude, while at high altitude strong southwest and west winds created wind accumulations that are sitting on loosely bonded faceted old snow.  At the end of the storm, cold light snow has concealed these hazards.  'Interesting' conditions for the Eagle Ski Club's Advanced Avalanche course in Leysin.

Critical avalanche danger across Switzerland (20 Jan '09)

The snow depths in Switzerland are above the seasonal average for the time of year, With 30 to 50 cm of fresh snow in the Vaudoise Alps the avalanche conditions have become considerable (level 3).  Strong winds have created wind slab which has subsequently been covered with loosely bonded fresh snow.  In some areas these layers are lying on loosely bonded faceted old snow.  In some areas close to the tree line, surface hoar has been buried by the fresh snow.  There is some good skiing, but care is needed to select safe itineraries.

Low avalanche danger across Switzerland (13 Jan '09)

Clear weather continues with relatively mild temperatures and light winds across Switzerland.  The snow quality is very variable with wind crust at high altitude to loosely packed facets.  In many areas the base of the snowpack is stable and there is little likelihood of fractures propagating.

Guides ski training in Leysin (5-7 Jan '09)
The annual British Mountain Guides' ski training course enjoyed excellent conditions for 3 intensive days of ski technique training.  The course is directed each year by Alex Languetin, who is a member of the Swiss Demonstration Team and one of Switzerland's most respected expert snow sports instructors.  The main aim of the course is to improve ski technique for Trainee and Aspirant Guides in preparation for their ski assessment.  In addition, the course provides a professional development opportunity for qualified Guides and their partners.  This year there were eighteen participants working in 3 groups.  The course is organised by Steve Jones and generously supported by the Fred Harper Memorial Fund. 

2009 - powder, powder, powder (3 Jan '09)
With the fresh snow that fell on New Year's Eve, and three days of cold sunny weather, 2009 has started with excellent powder snow conditions around Leysin.  We have had three enjoyable days of making the first tracks in some excellent off-piste descents.

Year ends with light snow (29 Dec '08)
2008 comes to an end with light snowfall in the western Alps.  The Swiss Avalanche Foundation reports that across Switzerland snow depths are higher than the seasonal average, with some areas as much as twice as high.  Many south facing slopes have transformed to spring snow, there is a lot of wind affected snow at higher elevations, and there is still powder on north facing slopes at lower altitude.

Clear and cold in the Vaudoise Alps (26 Dec '08)
Fresh snow and winds in the south and east of Switzerland have increased the avalanche hazard to category 3 (considerable).  In the west, temperatures dropped with a northerly breeze.  There is good spring snow on southern aspects and powder on north facing slopes. 

Clear and calm for the Christmas holiday period (24 Dec '08)
Conditions are excellent in the western Alps for winter sports enthusiasts. There is good snow cover at low altitude for skiing, and good climbing conditions on many icefalls.  The avalanche conditions have stabilised.

15-40cm of fresh snow (20 Dec '08)
During the past few days up to 15cm of new snow has fallen in the western Alps with up to 40cm in the northern Alps. At high altitude the snowpack has had considerable exposure to the wind. At lower altitude there is a good covering of snow and some excellent off-piste and touring. The forecast is for dry and sunny weather over the holiday period.

Good cover in Les Trois Vallées (17 Dec '08)

In the the Haute Tarentaise to run some avalanche training courses; and the snow cover is very good.  At high altitude the snowpack is highly wind effected, and the avalanche conditions are complex.

Another 15cm on top of 120cm in Leysin (10 Dec '08)

More snow has fallen, and more is forecast for the next few days.  Temperaturesare forecast to remain low and winds to be light.  It looks like continued excellent conditions for low-altitude powder skiing.

Yet more snow and great weather (7 Dec '08)

Another great weekend of early season off-piste and low altitude touring.  Heavy snow in western Switzerland has resulted in high and considerable avalanche hazard (category 3 and 4).

Leysin ski area opens early (29 Nov '08)

The Glacier 3000 lift system has been open throughout the autumn, and with the excellent early snow cover at lower altitudes many of the lower ski lifts are starting their season early.

Excellent snow cover to start the season (27 Nov '08)

With over 1m of fresh powder and cold sunny weather it is hard to imagine a better start to the winter season.  There is excellent off-piste and touring at lower altitude.  At higher altitude there is a lot of wind affected snow and a significant slab avalanche hazard.  Many icefalls have also formed for early season ice climbing.