Ampezzo Dolomites

Weak layers in the old snowpack are treacherous.

Weak layers in the old snowpack are treacherous.

Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack on northwest, north and northeast facing slopes. Avalanches can in some places be released in the old snowpack by a single winter sport participant. This applies in particular in little used terrain at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes above the tree line. Such avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized.

Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack especially on west, north and east facing slopes. These can only be released in isolated cases. At elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.