Maira and Grana Valleys

Wind slabs at intermediate and high altitudes. Dry avalanches can to some extent be released in the old snowpack, mostly by large additional loads in isolated cases.

Wind slabs at intermediate and high altitudes. Dry avalanches can to some extent be released in the old snowpack, mostly by large additional loads in isolated cases.

The mostly small wind slabs can be released in particular on very steep shady slopes at intermediate and high altitudes, in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Additionally in very isolated cases avalanches can be released in the old snowpack and reach medium size. Sunny slopes: The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust and will hardly soften at all. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls. Watch out for the numerous rocks hidden by the recent snow.

The snowpack is largely stable and its surface consists of loosely bonded snow lying on a crust. This applies especially on shady slopes. Large-grained weak layers exist in the snowpack on shady slopes. In particular steep sunny slopes: The surface of the snowpack has frozen to form a strong crust and will hardly soften at all. In all altitude zones less snow than usual is lying. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted.