Tuxer Alps West

The conditions are dangerous for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities outside marked and open pistes.

The conditions are dangerous for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities outside marked and open pistes.

The large quantity of fresh snow as well as the extensive wind slabs represent the main danger. Dry avalanches can in many places be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size. The avalanche prone locations are widespread. They are to be found in all aspects in all altitude zones, especially on wind-loaded slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The avalanche prone locations are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for very extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint. At low and intermediate altitudes and on steep grassy slopes numerous gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are to be expected, in particular medium-sized ones. On extremely steep sunny slopes dry loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of solar radiation.

Over a wide area 40 to 80 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Monday. The wind was strong to storm force. The wind has transported the new snow significantly. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Naturally triggered avalanches and stability tests confirm the existence of a weak snowack. The old snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on wind-protected shady slopes in the western part of the main Alpine ridge.

The meteorological conditions fostered a strengthening of the snowpack. Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.