Western Carniche Prealps

The fresh snow and the sometimes large wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects above the tree line. Backcountry touring calls for careful route selection.

The fresh snow and the sometimes large wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects above the tree line. Backcountry touring calls for careful route selection.

The large quantity of fresh snow as well as the many extensive wind slabs can be released easily or naturally in all aspects above the tree line. This applies even in case of a single winter sport participant in some cases. Avalanches can additionally in some places be released in deeper layers on steep shady slopes. Small and medium-sized avalanches are possible. The avalanche prone locations are to be found adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. These avalanche prone locations are and are barely recognisable for beginners. Individual gliding avalanches can also occur.

In some regions up to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 700 m. As a consequence of snowfall and the strong wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. In particular shady slopes where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially precarious. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations.

The various wind slabs have bonded with each other and the old snowpack.