Tignes Snow Report 16/12/09
Snow Report from HAT
It’s been very, very cold over the past week with temps getting down to -20 at 2000 metres. It looks like we’ll be getting some light snow over the weekend with continued cold temps until Sunday/Monday when the snow will increase with the temperatures (but snow down to at least 1500 metres).
Snow Stability
The cold temps have helped to make some really good snow for skiing BUT they have, at the same time, also created a weak layer that will be sitting under the new snow predicted for the weekend and early this coming week. That means that in most places where there is new snow, there will be a weak layer underneath it. That also means that there will be quite a bit of instability out there especially on steep ‘wind loaded slopes’. Wind loaded slopes are slopes where the snow accumulates more than on other slopes because they are mostly protected from the wind.
Tip of the week:
As we say in the Basic Henry’s Avalanche Talk, “there are many different layers of snow in the snowpack and some of these layers are stronger than others; sometimes there can be weak, fragile layers in the middle of the snowpack or even at the bottom”. There is a weak layer down to the bottom now. So be careful out there.
To learn more about week layers, wind loaded slopes and how to have fun and be safe off-piste, come to an avalanche talk (see below).
Have Fun and Be Safe! Henry
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 Weds 18.00 sharp Basic Talk at the Pacific Bar in Val d’Isère You need to show up at least15 mins before the talk to take advantage of the deals on food & drink!
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 (if you can’t come to a talk see our on-line talks) 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.
