In isolated cases, slab avalanches in the old snowpack are possible on very steep north-facing slopes
Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Slab avalanches can in some places on W/N/NE facing slopes be triggered even by one sole skier. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. Danger zones are difficult to recognize. Whumpf noises are indicators of imminent danger. Naturally triggered glide-snow and wet-snow avalanches are possible, the releases remain mostly small-sized.
Snowpack
Inside the old snowpack on very steep north-facing slopes above the trereline there are weak layers of faceted crystals. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorhose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. Below 1900m the old snowpack is moist due to the rain impact. On very steep grassy slopes the entire snowpac can begin to glide away.
Tendency
Likelihood of weak layers in old snow triggering will gradually decrease
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer problem is receding only slowly
Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Slab avalanches can in some places on NW/N/E facing slopes be triggered even by one sole skier. Danger zones occur esp. near ridgelines, behind protruberances in the landscape and in gullies and bowls. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. Danger zones are generally easily recognized. In isolated cases, avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack. Naturally triggered glide-snow and wet-snow avalanches are possible, the releases remain mostly small-sized.
Snowpack
Inside the old snowpack on very steep north-facing slopes above the trereline there are weak layers of faceted crystals. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorhose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. Below 1900m the old snowpack is moist due to the rain impact. On very steep grassy slopes the entire snowpac can begin to glide away.
Tendency
Likelihood of weak layers in old snow triggering will gradually decrease
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Gliding snow
1600m
Persistent weak layer demands restraint in terrain selection
Avalanche danger above 2000m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Avalanches can in some places be triggered even by one sole skier. Above 2000m avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack, particularly on steep north-facing slopes. Also naturally triggered avalanches and remote triggerings are possible. Whumpf noises and cracks when you tread upon the snowpack, as well as fresh avalanche releases, are alarm signals and indicate imminent danger. Naturally triggered glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches are possible, mostly small sized releases. Small-to-medium naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Inside the old snowpack on very steep north-facing slopes above the trereline there are weak layers of faceted crystals. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorphose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. Below 1900m the old snowpack is moist due to the rain impact. On very steep grassy slopes the entire snowpac can begin to glide away.
Tendency
Likelihood of weak layers in old snow triggering will gradually decrease
