Caution: Prone to triggering wind slab and weak persistent weak layer are sometimes difficult to recognise in the terrain
The avalanche risk is considerable above 2000 m and low below. Above around 2000 m, slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places and can be of medium size. The number and size of avalanche prone locations generally increase rapidly above the tree line. Transitions from little to more snow should be consistently avoided. Caution should also be exercised at the entrances to steep gullies and bowls as well as behind the edges of the terrain, where prone-to-triggering snow packs are located. These are sometimes covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Avalanches that are triggered close to the surface can tear through to deeper weak layers. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger.
Snowpack
Prone to triggering wind slab snow lies on top of a locally very varied old snow surface, which is covered by 10-20 cm of rather soft new fallen snow. In general, there are often areas in the terrain with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. The older snowdrift accumulations and the old snow surface are in places transformed and soft, in places hard as a board. Below this, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms interspersed with crusts. Fractures usually occur around the uppermost crust, but can also entrain deeper layers.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. The weak layers in the snowpack remain prone to triggering.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Some wind slab on a weak old snow foundation
The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 metres and low below. Above around 2000 m, slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in a few places and can sometimes reach medium size if they tear through the old snowpack. Some of the avalanche prone locations are covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Take particular care in the west, north and east aspects, especially in the snow-covered entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls, behind terrain edges and at the transition from little to more snow. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger. In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of being swept away and falling should also be taken into account.
Snowpack
On a very varied old snow surface, there are local piles of fresh pillows of wind drifted snow, some of which are prone to triggering. Some of these are covered by soft new fallen snow. In general, there are often areas with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. Older snowdrift accumulations and the old snow surface are in places transformed and soft, in places hard as a board. Below this, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms interspersed with crusts. Fractures usually occur around the uppermost crust. The total snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. The weak layers in the snowpack remain prone to triggering.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Small drift snow accumulations on weak old snowpack
The avalanche risk is low. In the extended northern and eastern exposures above around 2200 m, small slab avalanches can still be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts in a few places. Danger areas are located at the transition from little to more snow, in the blown-in entrance areas to steep gullies and behind terrain edges. Some of the avalanche prone locations are thinly covered with snow and difficult to recognise. In general, the risk of entrapment, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial, but be careful in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
A few centimetres of new fallen snow covers previously empty areas or a hard, sometimes icy surface of old snow. On shady slopes in particular, small snowdrift accumulations usually overlay a weak old snowpack consisting of an alternation of crusts and faceted crystals or deep rime.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger, little new fallen snow
The avalanche risk is low. There are isolated thin pillows of wind drifted snow behind the edges of the terrain. Take care in the entrance areas to steep gullies where a hard or icy old snow surface has now been slightly covered. In general, the risk of falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
Depending on the aspect and steepness, up to around 5 cm of new fallen snow and some thin wind slab cover the previously apery soils or the icy old snow surface. Edged persistent weak layers, if present, weaken the thin snow base, fundament.
