Weekly report from HAT - 02/01/08
Since we last wrote there has been 10-15cm new snow. The snow base is still one of the best we have seen for 10 years. (see our snow depths tracking page)
Snow news
The new snow offered some new fresh tracks for a couple of days. See pictures on Henry's Blog The avalanche risk has reduced to level 2. The pistes are in fantastic shape,
There is some fresh snow to ski now as a result of the new snow and you can see Damian and the Metro Show team out boarding and skiing with Henry today in this video (the language is full on though)
Outlook
The forecast printed below suggests the weather could be a bit too mild. This is not the only point of view I have seen. A number of other people are saying that it will fall as snow above 1800m. So we will have to see just how warm this wind is.
The bulletin highlights to risks as the wind moves the snow especially above 2300m. The wind will be from the south.
So be careful, study the bulletins (on our web logs.) and read ski diaries from Henry and Wayne Watson of Alpine Experience.
The longer term weather outlook is for more snow from Wednesday next week as well. All in all there will be some new powder somewhere, just study where the wind slabs will form and where the weak layer may be created above 2300m (see henry's note below)
Each week in this ezine you will find an update on the snow conditions, avalanche awareness tips, weather forecasts, and a translation of the Meteo France off piste safety bulletin.
Looking forward to catching up. Future ezines will be on Wednesday evening or Thursday - next one on 9th January.
Regards: Chris Radford - HAT ezine editor
Snow report from Henry
A Big Happy New Year to everyone!
This week's off-piste snow report is really a continuation of last week. A quick re-cap of last week's discussion: 'wind loading' is where the wind has been blowing the snow to and where the snow is accumulating and forming wind drifts or 'wind slabs'.
There is also a weak layer of snow that is and has been developing for a few weeks now - more pronounced on north'ish slopes above 2300-2500. New snow accumulations (I would say once there is 20 cm or so) will be unstable on top of this weak layer. The layer that I have my eye on is mainly a sugary granular layer of angular crystals and depth hoar and sometimes has a compact hard layer just on top. Poke your pole or hand into the snow and you'll feel it and see it!
I believe this layer will be a problem once there is some snow on it. So watch out for areas that have significant recent snow accumulation (if we do actually end up getting any snow to speak of). And of course the slope needs to be steep enough to avalanche, 25° slopes and above (that is about the same angle as a very steep part of a red run to black run steepness and of course off-piste). Remember that secured areas end at the sides of the marked pistes - once you leave the marked runs, you need to look after your own safety.
A note on the weather: Météo France has described the weather as 'une situation complexe'. This is due to different weather systems coming in from different directions - south and east to start with (Thursday & Friday) and then west-north-west Saturday-Tuesday at least). For us it means that the wind has been (and will be) blowing the snow all over the place!
Tip of the week:
The first thing I do every morning is to listen to what the 'Service des Pistes' has been observing out there and then look around myself (I've already looked at the avalanche forecast that has come out the day before and which you can also find in English on henrysavalanchetalk.com for Savoie and Haute Savoie). If just one or two of the nicest slopes that I want to ride have slid (or similar slopes have), then I play it cool even if people are out riding all over the place. Remember that most of the time an unstable slope won't avalanche, but it could when you are on it... even if there are a few tracks already there.
Have Fun Be Safe - Henry
Getting good information
Keeping you informed is what HAT is all about, but there are a lot of different things you can do to get informed before going off piste skiing. The more of this preparation and information seeking you do, the more you will find good safe snow and the more you will enjoy your skiing.
Over the next week, we will need to get information about where the snow falls, at which heights the snow is humid or dry and what the wind is doing to help create judgements about where the snow will be good and where it will be safe.
As well as our reports, you should track the daily bulletin (see Val d'Isere and Chamonix for translations).
You can ask the piste patrol when you are out on the hill, they may look a bit fearsome, but they are knowledgeable and will give you good advice. If they say don't go somewhere they mean it it and you should heed their advice. But if the risk is manageable they may well assess your equipment, group attitude and experience before suggesting it is OK to go somewhere off piste.
You can use your eyes on the hill to spot recent avalanche activity. You can track the snow that you encounter as you ski around and interpret what that means for where you plan to go.
Listen to the weather reports before you go on your ski trip. If you know what the weather has been doing it will help you assess the situation when you get there.
There are many things you can do to stay informed. The effort will repay you with more skiing pleasure, with safer skiing and a much more rewarding experience all round.
