Snowpack report and conditions 9/12/09
Snow Report December 9, 2009
This past week started out with ‘precipitation’ in the form of rain most places up to quite a high altitude for this time of year. The highest the rain and humidity went was on Sunday night and Monday when we had to go up to close to 3000 metres to get to snow that was only moderately humid. However during the day on Sunday and on Tuesday it snowed lower down and we had some good skiing in pockets that were protected from the wind.
We got about 40 cm of new snow this past week in much of the Northern French Alps above 2500 metres – more in places protected from the wind like just under ridges. It looks like there may be a bit of snow over the weekend and colder temps. Then more snow with very cold temperatures on Tuesday (let’s hope!).
Snow Stability
This past week’s new snow has helped to cover the ground better especially above 2500 metres, but there is a weak layer under the recent snow in many places especially above 2500 metres; this weak layer was partly responsible for a couple of the accidental releases and artificial releases (with explosives) over the last week.
That weak layer is consolidating/stabilising at lower altitudes and on other slopes where it has been warmer (since the end result of warmer temperatures is an increase in stability of the snowpack especially if the temperatures cool down afterwards). But the best snow for skiing at the moment is on the slopes where the snow is lighter and colder (on north’ish facing slopes protected from the wind and at higher altitudes: like above 2300-2500 metres). This is exactly where the weak layers are the most evident and where instability will increase due to the increase in load (weight) from the snow in the next snowstorm(s).
Tip of the week - weak layers continued:
Remember the tip from last week’s report, “that there are many different layers of snow in the snowpack and some of these layers are stronger than others; and sometimes there can be weak, fragile layers in the middle of the snowpack or even at the bottom”. Most of the time, during the winter, the best lightest snow is on the more unstable slopes (this is why most accidents happen on north’ish facing slopes in the colder winter months during the season): and this will most probably be the case if and when we get a good dump of snow this weekend or on Tuesday.
Having fun and being safe off piste is all about balancing what seems like a contradiction: “that the best snow is very often where the snow is the most unstable”. Striking a balance between having a great time in great snow and keeping it safe is not rocket science, but it does take some learning and thinking.
To begin to learn how to reconcile the search for good snow leading you to increasingly unstable areas, see www.henrysavalanchetalk.com for information/education on-line or come to one of our talks. Have Fun and Be Safe!
Off Piste & Avalanche Awareness Talks
Monday 15.30 sharp Basic Talk at the Moris in Val d’Isère Tuesday 17.45 sharp Basic Talk at the Bagus in Tignes (you need to be at the Bagus by 17.30 to take advantage of the deals on food & drink!) Weds 18.00 sharp Basic Talk at the Pacific Bar in Val d’Isère
Tickets are €7.50 (one person under 18 per adult free) and includes great deals on food and drinks at each place! Pre-booking on line price is: £6 on www.henrysavalanchetalk.com
HAT is taking the Talks on-snow this year for people who want to learn more in Val d’Isère & Tignes!
See www.henrysavalanchetalk.com for more info on these practical short courses .
