Complicated situation evolving

Since we last wrote there has been at least another 30cm of new snow.  When the recent snow fell it was wet and heavy (see Roddy's reports)

 

Also we just heard on radio that English snowboarder got killed in avalanche in Tignes in the Tufs couloir. When we get some more info, we will post it on the blog.

 

It is now a complicated week for conditions and stability.  The risk level is 3 above 2000m.  This means that natural avalanches are unlikley but a single skier could trigger an avalanche when on any 30 degree or steeper slope oir when crossing at the base of a steeper slope.

 

There have been relatively few slides given how much snow fell, but be careful, as well as the Tufs incident today we know of another incident on the orientation table route on Bellevarde where a seasonnaire got taken over a small cliff and survived but was very shaken.

 

On the brighter side, the wet and heavy snow has all dried out above 2000m due to a dry clear night and there is plenty of nice snow to be had if you know where to stay safe.  If you are not sure play on lower angle slopes and keep an eye out for steeper slopes above you or convexities below you.

 

The Guides may be seen on the steeper slopes, since some of them are OK, but if you do not know how to tell which is OK and whihc is not then play safer when the bulletin shows a risk level fo 3.

 

The situatrion is likely to change rapidly but it is hard to predict.

 

If it stays warmish as forecast for the next 2 days, then the current snow will settle well and form a good layer for the next snowfall to bond with.  But this may not happen and our big advice is to track the conditions each day to see how the base layer evolves.  If you do that, then you will be in a stronger position to judge how unstable the situation will be when the next snow arrives on Friday night Saturday morning.

 

We are expecting some good colder snow on Saturday early morning provided the cold front from the west makes it through to displace the southerly weather system we have predicted for Thursday and Friday.

 

The longer term outlook shows more snow later next week on Monday and Wednesday.  There will be plenty of great skiing to be had.  Spotting where it is safe is a bigger challenge.

 

2 top tips

Track what happens to the current snow as the weather changes over the next 2 days

Stay on lower angle slopes if you are not sure about the risks until it is clearer that the risk levels have subsided.