Upper Passeier Valley

Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. The avalanche conditions are treacherous.

Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. The avalanche conditions are treacherous.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released even now by individual winter sport participants. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above the tree line, also in areas close to the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. In isolated cases the avalanches are large, in particular in the regions with a lot of snow in the north. At transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example the likelihood of avalanches being released is greater. As a consequence of a moderate northeasterly wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form adjacent to ridgelines. Individual gliding avalanches can also occur, in particular in the regions with a lot of snow below approximately 2200 m on steep grassy slopes.

The snowpack will be in some cases prone to triggering. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in all aspects, especially on steep shady slopes above the tree line, and in areas close to the tree line, this also applies on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2300 m. Stability tests and field observations confirm that the stability of the snowpack varies greatly within a small area.

Saturday: The avalanche conditions remain to some extent treacherous. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for meticulous route selection.