Val d'Isere snow report weather forecast from Henry's Avalanche Talk

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool.  Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N73310311
BULLETIN FOR ESTIMATING THE RISK OF AVALANCHES
FOR SAVOIE
Valid off marked and open trails
FOR TUESDAY 1 APRIL 2008
(Drafted Monday, March 31)

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING:
VANOISE, HIGH-TARENTAISE, MAURIENNE:
Above 2200/2400 m: LIMIT RISK (level 2). Under 2200/2400 m: LOW RISK (level 1) that evolves LIMIT risk (level 2) in the afternoon
LES BAUGES: LIMIT RISK - Level 2
HIGH-MAURIENNE and BEAUFORTAIN:
Above 2200/2400 m: RISK MARK - Level 3
Below 2200/2400 m: LIMIT RISK - Level 2.

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING:
The sky emerges this night, good weather Tuesday. Isothermal 0 ° C up to 2200m in the afternoon. Wind at 3000 m: calm and then north to north-east 20/30 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
The conditions are still winter with Snow Depth very important and superior to the average and end of March on all our mass. In Bauges, Beaufortain, the snow begins around 1000 through the North and there are 200 to 250cm to 350cm at 2000m and 2500m. In Tarentaise, early skiing at 1200m in North heights approaching 150 to 200cm at 2000m. In Maurienne heights are a little lower with 80 to 120cm to 170cm in 2000m and alttude. Snow is good skiing with 10 to 30cm deep powder at 2000m according to the mass. In the high-mountain glaciers remain well plugged with the month of March good snow. However, some north facing portions are steep ice.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
SOME SURFACE SLABS IN NORTH VERSANTS

It snowed since Sunday evening, 10 to 20cm in Bauges, Beaufortain and Haute-Maurienne and less than 5cm elsewhere. South winds measured at 50 to 100 km/h accompanied the snowfall. On Monday, he still low and snow fell 5cm on average, 10cm near the border in the Maurienne. The avalanche activity is declining with 10 cast generally observed over 2200m with either Departures Ski exhibitions in North and natural flows rather South.

The recent cuts of snow show a snowpack winter, cold with snow in March, fairly thick (more than 1m) and ongoing slowdown, placed on the sub-layers may be less resilient and fragile locally (flat) or on Hard crusts.

In the Bauges, a few patches of surface were formed near the peak, particularly in the hills north to north-east and can come with the passage of skier. With redoux, some cast in southern slopes are likely in the afternoon.

In Haute-Maurienne and Beaufortain, the slabs recently formed on the surface might be a little thicker (20/30cm). Beware especially exhibitions in North Northwest a little more responsible. Old largest accumulations are present locally in North-East as well. In the afternoon, wet snow avalanches are possible in the South.

On the other mountain, it snowed less the risk of surface slabs are lower. It remains old accumulations (20/30cm) generally in the high mountains (above 2200/2400m) and especially in North-East with a sub-layer may be less fragile buried near peaks. A little natural casting is possible in the afternoon.

TREND LATER RISK:
Up with the north wind that rises.

Weather updates France this newsletter everyday at 16h
(Thierry Arnou)

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool.  Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N73300311
BULLETIN FOR ESTIMATING THE RISK OF AVALANCHES
FOR SAVOIE
Valid off marked and open trails
FOR MONDAY 31 MARCH 2008
(Drafted Sunday, March 30)

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL MONDAY EVENING:
In any massive Savoie:
-- Above 1800/2000 m: RISK MARK - Level 3
-- Below 1800/2000 m: LIMIT RISK - Level 2.

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL MONDAY EVENING:
Many clouds and precipitation. Limit rain-2000 to 1000/1300 m. The strong winds aloft South falters in the morning and then turns to the east. Foehn and Lombarde fade in the early morning and then steadily during the day. It expects 10 25 2000 m.
Isothermal 0 ° C to 2400 and 1400 meters.
Wind General to 3000 m: South to the South-East 50/80 and 20/40 night kph, South south-east then east, then north-north-westerly during the day 20/40, then 20/40 and 10/20 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They remain good, with layers of snow on the ground that are closer to averages for the end of March but still mostly higher. There are 10 to 90 cm at 1500 m and 120 cm in Bauges and Beaufortain, 60 to 180 cm at 2000 m and 260 cm in Beaufortain. The lower limit of snow skiing ranges between 1000 and 1800 m.
The snow surface became wet and hardened by the regel morning below 1800/2000 m North steep slopes and until very high altitude, steep southern slopes, softens during the day and then extends humidification higher altitudes. The recent lighter snow remains essentially on slopes Northwest to north-east when it is not hardened by the wind mostly near the border. Monday, she coats of snow to-1500 m.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
NATURAL ACTIVITY AND SOME WIND SLABS
The strong wind that blows from the South currently senior Bauges massive internal and generates a strong wind and Foehn Lombarde across the border until Vanoise and lower valleys form, with the recent snow still not consolidated, a few superficial new slabs more or less a little harsh at all altitudes and in a wide variety of exhibits (especially near the border). The snowplow moderate to strong East to South to the North and West is sometimes seen in all mass.
Other small surface slabs formed recently by strong winds from west to Northwest remain mostly peaks of the Bauges senior massive internal and on the edge of Piedmont. The adhesion of these slabs is not assured. Some have décrochées spontaneously in southern slopes in recent days, while others have been triggered accidentally or artificially at 2200 m.
The snow will still be expected mainly windy during the night. The slabs will be gradually covered with snow lighter.

Some natural attrition will occur over the precipitation.
Under 1500/1800 m, rain will encourage some cast and sometimes wet snow avalanches more or less onerous, sometimes taking entire snowpack in place. In sunny areas shortly (as in exposed slopes in the Northwest in the north-east), some may spill over roads. And such an overload the passage of one or more persons on skis, snowboards or snowshoes can promote their outbreak.
Above 1500/1800 m, it is superficial flows and avalanches rather mean drier snow (powder or slab more or less friable), which will occur in sufficiently steep slopes. A fortiori, a small surcharge as the passage of a single skier can be enough to trigger a surface slab more or less friable, or sometimes a buried slab but little thicker. A higher surcharge as the passage of several skiers sometimes can lead a fairly large amount of snow especially in the high mountains.

TREND LATER RISK:
Stationary or slightly down for Tuesday.

Weather updates France this newsletter everyday at 16h.

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool.  Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N73280311
BULLETIN FOR ESTIMATING THE RISK OF AVALANCHES
FOR SAVOIE
Valid off marked and open trails
FOR SATURDAY, 29 MARCH 2008
(Drafted Friday, March 28)

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL SATURDAY EVENING:
Of all the mass of Savoy:
-- Above 1800/2200 m: RISK MARK - Level 3
-- Below 1800/2200 m: LIMIT RISK - Level 2 evolves day RISK MARK - Level 3.

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL SATURDAY EVENING:
Passages of clouds at night with very weak precipitation (less than 5 cm of snow). Then sunny day. The wind from west-northwest wind fort at night in high mountains, but also temporarily lower especially at the edge of Piedmont and on the tops of the Bauges.
Isothermal 0 ° C to 2000, then 1400, then 2400 meters.
Wind General to 3000 m: West and Northwest night 20/40 locally 50/70 km / h on the edge of Piedmont, Northwest and West 20/50 and 10/20 day km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are excellent, with layers of snow on the ground in most cases higher than the averages for the end of March, very close to or lower than locally. There are 20 to 100 cm at 1500 m and 140 cm in Bauges and Beaufortain, 70 to 190 cm at 2000 m and 280 cm in Beaufortain. The lower limit of snow skiing ranges between 900 and 1500 m.
The snow surface is crusty in the morning below 1000/1500 m. In the slopes most exposed to the effects of solar radiation, the crust is superficial until 1500/1800 m then covered with a little snow recently until at least 2300 m. Elsewhere, the recent snow cover is more or less packed, there is still little consolidated from 15 to 35 cm at 2000 m, or cardboard or cured by the wind mostly in the high mountains. Saturday morning, the surface crust may be present earlier.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
SOME SLABS AT ALTITUDE and SOME NATURAL DEPARTURES
The snow continues its recent decline especially in the sun.
The very low expected snow does not alter the snowpack stability. However, the winds expected in the night to train with the recent snow, some new accumulations and superficial slabs especially in the high mountains, but also notably lower at the edge of Piedmont and on the tops of the Bauges.
Other slabs more or less trained hard recently by the strong wind of Northwest remain mostly above 1800/2200 m. The attrition of smal hard surface slabs are still reported today in the hills south-2200 m. Others have been triggered artificially wide variety of exhibits.

The accidental risk therefore remains marked, especially over 1800/2200 m depending on the mass. A small surcharge as the passage of a single skier can be enough to trigger a surface slab more or less harsh, especially in the low slopes suffering the effect of solar radiation but also in other exhibitions as East to South-East to 'sheltered from the wind. A higher surcharge as the passage of several skiers or snowboarders or raquettistes can trigger a slab avalanche more or less thick mobilizing sometimes a fairly large amount of snow.

Some natural attrition will occur through the night wind and then the sun and softness in the day. Some superficial casts and sometimes snow avalanches more or less recent wet or brittle slabs will occur just all altitudes during the day but mostly below 2500 m in exposed sunny slopes to the east and then to the South, then to the West. We can not exclude an avalanche substantive steep grassy or rocky slabs. A surcharge greater or lesser degree can promote their outbreak.

TREND LATER RISK:
Stationary or slightly down for Sunday.

Weather updates France this newsletter everyday at 16h.

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool.  Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N73270311
BULLETIN FOR ESTIMATING THE RISK OF AVALANCHES
FOR MASSIVE SAVOIE
Valid off marked and open trails
THE FRIDAY 28 MARCH 2008
(Drafted Thursday, March 27)

ESTIMATE OF RISK FOR FRIDAY:
For all the massive Savoie
LIMIT RISK - Level 2 evolves day RISK MARK - Level 3

WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Beautiful light subjected to a good night and day with fresh high clouds in the afternoon.

Isothermal 0 ° C up to 1400 and 2200 meters.
Wind at 3000 m: dominant northwest 30 km/h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are again excellent. The thickness of snow on the ground ranges from 30 to 100 cm at 1500 m and 140 cm in the Bauges and Beaufortain. A 2000 m it reaches 80 to 200 cm. The soil is bleached from 800 meters and can skier since 1000 to 1400 meters.
The snow surface is a little crusty below 2300 m in sunny slope. It is sometimes blown aloft, especially in the Haute Maurienne.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
RARE SLABS AT ALTITUDE BUT NATURAL DEPARTURES

The recent snow fell since Sunday (20 to 50 cm) cup fairly quickly and improve its cohesion. In the high mountains, however, this improvement is a little slower beneath 2200 2500 m. Slabs formed by the wind northwest persist locally, often covered with a little snow most recent generally little windy.
Some patches may still be sensitive to surcharges. Caution remains rigorous off-piste especially above 2200 m to 2500, particularly in exhibitions in North East and South-East.
The redoux and the sun will be aggravating factors, weakening the anchorages snowpack. Slabs can even be detached naturally during the day, from early morning to East and South-East, a little later in the South and West.
Some small avalanches and casting surface of wet snow will also start spontaneously at altitudes more modest during sunny periods. But some areas between 1500 and 2000 meters are covered with snow and avalanches can result in a locally volume of snow Therefore,

TREND OF RISK FOR SATURDAY:
Stationary and even increased slightly with a night of Friday to Saturday and a cloud redoux which increases Saturday.

Weather updates France this newsletter everyday at 16h.

Snowpack Update

What an amazing couple of weeks. Rarely have I seen so much snow and such a stable snowpack at the same time.

The snows that are coming now (end of week of March 24) are supposed to be fairly light, in terms of accumulations and in consistency, throughout the Northern French Alps and surrounding areas.

Current Stability

There have been quite a few accidental slab releases over the last few days (Météo France has reported several each day) most without consequence probably because the slabs have not been all that big and/or the people were able to ride out or weren’t taken too far. I have seen and heard of a few slabs triggered at distances of 10 metres or so on slopes facing North East to East – which makes sense since the winds have been mostly coming out of the West & North West and this will continue through the weekend. The winds aren’t supposed to be as strong for this weekend and that is a relief!

Tip of the week:

Watch out for slab instability (& releases) as a direct result of very recent wind loading on slopes and in general areas that were/are protected from wind in recent storms (these are very often East’ish’ slopes, but not always!!). Some of the very recent slab releases have had fractures at the top (or crown walls) of up to 70 cm. So, despite the exceptional stability of all this new snow, I’m still being very careful as I enter into steep areas of nice smooth fresh white snow.

‘Ride Hard Ride Safe’!

Henry

Slabs Triggered from a distance today..

there were quite a few slabs triggered from a 10 metre distance observed by colleagues and me today. Also, natural, artificial & other accidental in Savoie & Haute Savoie mainly small for the moment. This slope under the Mt Blanc chair in Val d'Isère is facing North East. The wind has been mostly coming out of the North West (although is supposed to change to South briefly tomorrow then back to North West through West for Thursday on through the weekend). This slab, a direct result of very recent wind loading, exemplifies what is in store for the next few days (and so does the distance triggering). Only I think the instability will grow with the continued wind loading and new snow accumulations. The avalanche activity has been relatively calm over the last 10 days or so, but I think the instability could pick up with all this new snow and wind over the next few days. The slab in this photo and the way it was triggered is telling us something.

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool.  Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N73250311
BULLETIN FOR ESTIMATING THE RISK OF AVALANCHES
FOR SAVOIE
Valid off marked and open trails
FOR WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2008
(Drafted Tuesday, March 25)

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL WEDNESDAY EVENING:
On ALL MASSES RISK - Level 3.

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL WEDNESDAY EVENING:
Alternating between cloudy passages (few flakes), and with light moments of sunshine during the day. New cloud degradation Wednesday evening.

Isothermal 0 ° C on the rise between 1000 and 1500 meters.
Wind at 3000 m: NORTHWEST 50 km / h and then WEST-SOUTHWEST 10 to 30 km/h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are excellent again as in the heart of winter with a bleached soil from 300/500 meters and a "skiabilité" from 1000 meters. The thickness approaching 80 to 120 cm at 1200/1500 meters and reaching 140 to 200 cm meters near 2000m locally over 270 cm as Beaufortain or above 2500 meters.
The snow surface is still light and cold (humidification possible only above 1000/1500 meters), or as nearly blown ridges with accumulations.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
MANY SLABS AND SOME NATURAL DEPARTURES

5 to 25 cm of snow fell since 1200 meters with the disruption of Monday evening is a cumulative 48 hours of 15 to 45 cm.
Nevertheless, the slowdown continues, with special "effective" below 2000 meters. However, the winds of Northwest currently has fostered the development of slabs and those from west to south-west provided will doubtless form new, generally above 1600/1800 meters in 2000 and Bauges / 2200 meters on the other mountain.

So we will return to superficial instability marked on most of our reliefs with 20 to 50 cm of snow often windy on the sub-strata still backward and sometimes fragile (recognizable particles, snow rolled, etc.). The risk of rupture when overloaded even by a single skier continues to be important, particularly with exposure of South-North and sometimes Northwest. Please note that these triggers caused, in the form of slabs more or less friable, very locally can expand (warp exceeding 70 cm and important vertical). It has been reported every day at least one accidental departure above 2000 to 2500 meters, great caution is therefore required in off-piste.

In addition, we can expect further attrition, particularly with clearing. They are limited to frequent but also cast a few small to medium avalanches although a more important is not completely ruled out.

TREND LATER RISK:
Stationary with the new snowfall expected Wednesday night and Thursday.
Weather updates France this newsletter everyday at 16h.

Superb day!

PHOTO Richard Hogg

As you might know it snowed A LOT this weekend. In fact I can’t remember when it last snowed that heavily. At some part on Friday afternoon it was snowing something like 15 cm per hour, which is enormous!
So everyone expected a great day on Saturday but many people where disappointed because there where so much snow and the wind had hit it as well so it was extremely heavy and almost un-ski able in many places.
But now a couple of cold night and days have dried out the powder and today was a great day! My colleague at Alpine Experience, Wayne Watson said at the meeting this morning that we were in for a “top 5” of the season and he sure was right!
We skied some great snow and we can now have some fun on the slightly less steep slopes as well. Thank you Richard Hogg for the photos!
I skied on my new MOVEMENT skis and they where great! We will give you a more detailed review soon!
Not many avalanches are being triggered even if it’s an avalanche risk 4 but my explanation to this is that since we got so much snow it’s hard for a skier to get to the week spots. However if someone should trigger an avalanche, they could go HUGE so be very careful out there!

More snow is forecast this week so it looks like we will have a great end of the season!

Have fun and be safe,
Andreas
HAT/ Alpine Experience

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool.  Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N73240311
BULLETIN FOR ESTIMATING THE RISK OF AVALANCHES
FOR SAVOIE
Valid off marked and open trails
FOR TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2008
(Drafted Monday, March 24)

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING:
On ALL MASS: RISK MARK - Level 3

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING:
Overnight rather agitated with 5 to 15 cm of snow and wind. Back in the morning warm among some cumulus sometimes threatening (sleet isolated).

Insulated 0 ° C: 400 meters. Wind at 3000 m: Northwest 80 and then 30 to 50 km/h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are excellent again as in the heart of winter with a bleached soil from 300/500 meters and a "skiability" from 1000 meters. The thickness approaching 60 to 100 cm to 1200/1500 meters and reach 100 in 2000 to 170 cm meters locally over 250 cm as Beaufortain or above 2500 meters.
The snow surface is usually powder in the mountains (humidification possible only under 800/1200 meters), sometimes nearly blown ridges with accumulations.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
NEW SLABS AND SOME NATURAL DEPARTURES

Again, 5 to 15 cm of snow dropped since 1500 meters below the showers Sunday is a cumulative 48 hours in 10 to 30 cm.
Nevertheless, the slowdown continues, with special "effective" below 2000 meters. However, new snowfall in progress and especially the wind waited Northwest will promote the formation of new slabs, rather above 1800/2000 meters in the Bauges and 2200/2400 meters on the other mountain.

So we will find a rather superficial instability marked on most of our reliefs with 15 to 40 cm of snow often windy on the sub-layers and advanced little fragile (recognizable particles, snow rolled, etc.). The risk of rupture when overloaded even by a single skier continues to be important, particularly with exposure to South-North is sometimes Northwest. Please note that these triggers caused, in the form of slabs more or less friable, very locally can expand (warp exceeding 50 cm and important vertical). It has been reported every day at least one departure accidental above 2000 to 2500 meters, great caution is therefore required in off-piste.

In addition, it is always possible that natural departures occur during falls and with the return of clouds. They must be confined to a few small slides and avalanches even though a larger is not completely ruled out.

TREND LATER RISK:
Stationary.
Weather updates France this newsletter everyday at 16h.

Cracking Couloirs

We were surprised to see the weather today being much better than forecast. James dragged me from my bed much earlier than I would of liked and then insisted we hiked the orientation table it was fantastic and buy the time I stopped halfway down I had so much adrenaline pumping through my system Id completely forgotten about my lack of sleep. Infact it was so good we decided to go and hike another couloir called Pisteurs which was as good if not better. The snow was cold and deep and the turns were some of the best of these season. As we finished the second route the weather closed in and we headed home.